A new arrival in Coronation Street sends shockwaves through Weatherfield, while the last new arrival continues to find himself in hot water next week.

Cassie Plummer’s (Claire Sweeney) world is imploding as, in an attempt to rid her relationship with Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) of Tracy Barlow’s (Kate Ford) toxic influence, she delivers an ill-fated proposal. Later, when Tyrone Dobbs’ (Alan Halsall) kids track down his biological father as a birthday gift, she’s faced with a hideous reminder of her past. Is Cassie about to completely self-destruct?

Abi Webster (Sally Carman-Duttine) is horrified when her young son ends up in hospital as a result of the mould in her flat. When she learns that her elusive landlord is Idris Nazir (Junade Khan), she begins to plot revenge, drafting in Adam Barlow (Sam Robertson), while Sally Metcalfe (Sally Dynevor) worries over Idris’ growing influence on Brody Michaelis (Ryan Mulvey). Has Idris already burned all of his Weatherfield bridges?

Glenda Shuttleworth (Jodie Prenger) makes a shock discovery about her brother, George’s (Tony Maudsley) girlfriend, Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins) and immediately spills the tea to her brother, who confronts Christina. But what has Glenda found out?

Elsewhere, Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale) struggles in the aftermath of the trial, Maria Connor’s (Samia Longchambon) distrust of Gary Windass (Mikey North) continues and Betsy Swain (Sydney Martin) attempts to make the most of her remaining time in Weatherfield.

As usual, the football has caused some serious re-jiggery when it comes to our soaps, but also as usual, I’m on hand to help you keep track of what happens and when on the cobbles!

Sunday, July 5

A frustrated Abi has had enough as she calls her land lord over the worsening damp in her flat, lamenting to Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) that he never calls her back – and she doesn’t even know his name. Later, with Abi arrives in Speed Daal where Idris is, and as she calls her landlord again, his phone rings, and she realises they’re one in the same. Later, Abi tucks a poorly Alfie Franklin (Carter and Oakley Razak Townsend) into bed, unaware of the black mould growing behind his bed.

As an anxious Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) visits Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan), he’s heartened when Sam apologises for his earlier explosion, realising that his dad had his best intentions at heart and that he’s in the right place for the moment.

Elsewhere, Fiz Dobbs (Jennie McAlpine) catches a sneaky Hope and Ruby (Isabella Flanagan and Billie Naylor) plotting; as Cassie tries to get to the bottom of things, they refuse to play along and Ben Driscoll’s (Aaron McCusker) phone rings – the verdict on Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon) is in and as the Driscolls enter the court room, the lead juror is ready to deliver the news.

Tuesday, July 7 – double episode

Abi and Kevin rush a suffering Alfie to A&E, and an anxious Idris is shocked to see the state of the flat and races to the hospital, where they’ll be keeping Alfie in ICU overnight. The doctor confirms that Abi needs to find a new place to live as the mould is the cause of Alfie’s breathing issues, and Leanne points out to Idris that the previous owner must have known about the mould. Abi later clocks Brody forcing a man into Idris’ car and reports back to Sally, who’s concerned when Brody later hands her some money.

Cassie is fed up of Tracy sticking her nose into her relationship with Steve. When Tyrone suggests that it’s just something she’ll have to live with if she truly loves Steve, Cassie’s having absolutely none of it and drops to one knee in the cab office, making an official proposal.

Meanwhile, as Hope attempts to ease Will Driscoll’s (Lucas Hodgson-Wale)  worry, he makes peace with Daniel, but he’s taken aback when Hope invites him to visit Sam at the hospital, while Christina lies to George to get out of a romantic dinner, and as George promises to make it up to Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) for ever suspecting her of killing Theo, Christina panics when she receives a phone call.

Wednesday, July 8

When Cassie spies Steve helping Tracy with a flower delivery, she decides to seek solace in a glass of vodka and heads to the Chariot Square. As she gets more and more drunk, she makes a pass at a bloke at the bar, just as Steve comes looking for her.

With her suspicions raised by Christina’s recent behaviour, Glenda goes rooting through her bag while she nips to the loo and is floored by what she finds inside.

Also, Idris is hit with two shocks, first when Abi tells him that she’ll be taking him to court, and second when he learns that Brody’s dad, Kit Green (Jacob Roberts), is a copper, Will announces that he’s giving up athletics, unwilling to deal with constant reminders of Megan and Fiz questions Hope and Ruby, who assure her they’re merely planning a nice surprise.

Friday, July 10 – double episode

Cassie returns home with plans to attend Tyrone’s birthday meal at the Bistro. She’s lifted when Steve reassures her that he wants to move past the previous few days and return to where they were, but she’s floored again when Hope and Ruby reveal that they’ve located Tyrone’s dad with a sample of DNA. Locating Ross Wilkes (Ian Burfield), Tyrone’s dad, Cassie warns him that Tyrone won’t want anything to do with him, but her sees through her ploy and ends up flirting with Tracy. Tyrone and Cassie later find Ross, Steve and Tracy at Speed Daal and Cassie’s stomach turns when Tyrone softens toward his dad.

Following Glenda’s warnings, George trails Christina and finds her in a compromising position with a man. When she finally reveals the truth and just how much trouble she’s in, George advises her to come clean and pray for understanding from their loved ones.

Elsewhere, Adam agrees to take on Abi’s case against Idris, Maria sticks to her story when she’s questioned again by Lisa Connor-Swain (Vicky Myers) and McLaughlin, though later slips when she admits to Kit, who’s been taken off the Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) case, that she’s sick of Gary’s secrets and Betsy watches Dylan Wilson (Liam McCheyne) on his shift, determined to spend every minute together before she leaves for London.

MORE: Christina’s secret is exposed on Coronation Street – and her loved ones may not forgive

MORE: Brody confronts his dark side in Coronation Street as he commits kidnap

MORE: Tyrone gets the shock of his life in Coronation Street from Hope and Ruby

The United States national team has grown tired of hearing about its traditional shortcomings in World Cup knockout matches.

The Americans will look to change that narrative on Wednesday as they attempt to win their first World Cup elimination game in 24 years when they face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32 in Santa Clara, California.

The Americans last, and only, knockout win came on June 17, 2002, when they defeated Mexico 2-0 in the round of 16 in South Korea.

The good news for the Americans is they should have a healthy Christian Pulisic after the star missed the second game with a calf injury and played only 33 minutes as a sub in the final group match against Turkey.

“I feel good and ready to go for tomorrow,” Pulisic said.

The U.S. will once again play a knockout round match at a home World Cup in the San Francisco Bay area. The 1994 team made it out of group stage and faced Brazil at Stanford Stadium — less than 15 miles away from the site of this year’s game in Santa Clara — only to lose 1-0 to the eventual champions.

Since that round of 16 win over Mexico in 2002, the U.S. is 0-3 at that stage but are favored to advance against Bosnia, according to oddsmakers.

“We understand what it means, you win or you go home. There definitely needs to be a lot of focus and attention detail this week,” Pulisic said. “But I think the vibe feels good. We’ve still kept it light and we still are going to be ready to battle once the whistle blows.”

The U.S. has one win in 21 games against European teams with seven draws and 13 losses since making it back to the World Cup in 1990 for the first time in 40 years.

England will face Congo and Belgium will play Senegal in the other elimination games on Wednesday.

The round of 32 continues on Thursday with Spain playing Austria, Portugal taking on Croatia and Switzerland facing Algeria, and then concludes on Friday with Australia up against Egypt, Cape Verde playing Argentina and Colombia facing Ghana.

The eound of 16 begins on Saturday.

What to watch on June 30

— England vs. Congo, noon EDT in Atlanta (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

— Belgium vs. Senegal, 4 p.m. EDT in Seattle (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

— United States vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, 8 p.m. EDT in Santa Clara, California (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

England battling mounting injuries entering round of 32

Injuries are mounting for England, which is missing its first- and second-choice right backs for the round of 32 game against Congo.

Reece James is out with a hamstring injury and backup Jarrell Quansah twisted his ankle in England’s 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday.

It could see Djed Spence move over from the left to cover, but coach Thomas Tuchel is confident James and Quansah will both soon return — so long as England can advance beyond Congo.

“They’re getting closer and closer,” Tuchel said. “The race was close even to make it into my squad this time. So we need to make sure that we have more matches. That is the main focus, and then that will be very soon.”

Congo is playing in the knockout round of the World Cup for the first time. It already held Portugal to a 1-1 draw in the group stage and beat Uzbekistan to advance.

“It is true we are looking at a difficult match, but in no way insurmountable. We have proven this against teams that were supposed to be superior to us, that we could actually put in a good performance,” Congo coach Sébastien Desabre said. “So we are focusing on our strengths, we are walking our path and once you get to this point in the competition, it’s difficult for everyone.”

Bukayo Saka, who came into the tournament carrying an injury, is fit to start, Tuchel said.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino apologizes for curt tone to media after loss

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino opened his news conference on Tuesday by asking the media to forgive him for his curt tone following the U.S. team’s 3-2 loss to Turkey.

The loss came after the U.S. had clinched the top spot in the group.

“I want to apologize to the guys that were in my last press conference,” Pochettino said. “I was so frustrated. I was disappointed. I thank you and am sorry. It was my problem, not your problem. I was upset after the defeat.”

Pochettino called out the media in the post-match news conference last week for not praising him and his team for having already won the group before the loss to Turkey.

“For you not say congratulations that we won the group, that is a little bit sad,” Pochettino told reporters after the game.

Belgium looks to return to 2018 glory when it faces Senegal

By advancing to the knockout round atop Group G, Belgium has already improved upon its woeful performance at the World Cup four years ago.

After a historic third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Belgium did not advance past the group stage in Qatar. With its 5-1 victory over New Zealand on Friday night, Belgium has already achieved what coach Rudi Garcia expected at the bare minimum from his team.

Ahead of Wednesday’s knockout round match against Senegal, Garcia expressed satisfaction, as well as desire for more. Belgium won one game and played to two draws in group play.

“We wanted to finish first in the group stage and we succeeded,” Garcia said in French. “Of course we wanted to win more — we know the story of our World Cup so far. Now it is time for the knockout phase. Senegal is a big team. But, you have to beat them, too, if you want to go far in a World Cup.”

More World Cup news

— France forward Kylian Mbappé scores his 17th and 18th World Cup goals, one back of Lionel Messi

— Haaland scores deciding goal as Norway wins its 1st World Cup knockout game, beating Ivory Coast 2-1

— Netherlands coach Koeman resigns after penalty shootout loss marked team’s quickest World Cup exit

— Iran heads home after a heartbreaking World Cup knockout, but fans say players should be proud

— False hope and schadenfreude: Familiar feelings for Germany after another World Cup flop

— World Cup in photos, Day 20

Stat of the day

— Prior to Monday’s loss to Paraguay on penalty kicks, Germany had been 17 for 18 in World Cup shootouts and had converted 15 in a row. In the 1982 semifinals, Uli Stielike was blocked by France goalkeeper Jean-Luc Ettore with Germany’s third shot. But Germany made its next three and won 5-4. Germany was 4-for-4 in the 1986 quarterfinals against Mexico, 4-for-4 in the 1990 semifinals against England, and 4-for-4 in the 2006 quarterfinals against Argentina — winning all of those contests.

___

AP Sports Writers Josh Dubow, James Dobson and Andrew Destin contributed to this report. ___

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Jay spent five years pining for Daisy in The Great Gatsby, and Noah waited seven years for another chance with Allie in The Notebook.

For decades, pop culture has used ‘the one that got away’ as a trope, romanticising missed opportunities, what ifs, and long-lost loves.

In the most iconic of these films, it’s often the male character’s yearning and heartache over the loss that’s highlighted, which got us wondering… How often does this actually happen in real life?

In a bid to find out, Metro asked men how often they think about ‘the one that got away’, and some of the answers might raise a few eyebrows.

Here’s what they had to say…

I’m happily married, but I think about my ex daily

Ciaran, 37, tells Metro he thinks about an ex ‘almost daily’, despite being ‘happily married’. 

‘I’ve been with my wife for 18 years, and we’re extremely happy. But I think about the one that got away almost daily – 21 years on!

‘We are still really good friends, but only really chat online now.’

Another married man, known only as Oscar, is in a similar situation.

He admits that there was a time when he would think about the one that got away ‘every hour’ of the day. 

The 45-year-old said: ‘I’ve been happily married for 12 years, but still think about the one that got away.

‘I’m kind of over it now, but at its height I thought about them every hour.’

He claims it was a classic ‘right person, wrong time’ situation.

‘I was everything she needed, but not what she wanted,’ he explains. ‘I was an emotional crutch, bought her presents, went on dates, and helped her so much in her life.

‘We never took it to the next stage, despite it feeling so right. She didn’t want me, but she didn’t want anyone else to have me (her words, not mine).’

I can’t help but wonder how different my life could have been

For Alex, there are two people from his past who ‘regularly’ cross his mind. 

The 35-year-old has been married for a decade with two kids, and while he loves his family and ‘wouldn’t trade them for the world’, he admits he can’t help but think of how different his life could have been.

‘I have two people that got away, one I dated, one I didn’t, and I usually think about them a couple of times a month.

‘The one I didn’t date was the ultimate girl next door type; she was very smart, very funny, and very beautiful. We were really close friends who, on multiple occasions, professed to have feelings for one another but always found the timing was never right between other relationships and life just getting in the way. 

‘The one I dated was different; we didn’t necessarily have much in common, and I’d go so far as to say she was out of my league, but when we were together just the two of us, we worked and had fun. The problems always came in wider society and larger groups as we just seemed to stop working.’

Alex continues: ‘I think of them both in terms of the happy memories we shared and the times we were living in. The world isn’t what it once was, and these two girls represent a simpler time for me. 

‘Thinking about the ones that got away can bring back the way things felt back then, even if just for a moment.’

He adds: ‘I also think about the person I’d be now if they had worked out, what our lives would be like; it’s a curiosity that can’t be ignored but will never be fulfilled.’

She didn’t get away; I let her go

Ahaan, 23, is currently single, but has an ex he thinks about ‘more often than he’d ever admit out loud’.

He tells Metro they dated in college, but their relationship ended after he cheated.

‘The worst part is knowing that she didn’t get away; I let her go,’ he says.

‘At the time, I thought she’d always be there, even after I was unfaithful to her. 

‘A few years later, I saw her building the life she wanted with someone else and realised none of her expectations were impossible. She just found someone willing to meet them.

‘All the things she wanted from me, like consistency, effort, reassurance, and commitment, she ended up getting from someone willing to give them. By then, there wasn’t really anything left for me to say.’

What do relationship experts think?

With so many married men professing to still think about a lost love, you might think this means their relationships are doomed.

But, according to sex and relationship expert Gigi Engle, this isn’t necessarily the case.

‘Thinking about or missing an ex doesn’t mean that you’re broken, or that there’s anything wrong with you, or that you’re not happy in your relationship,’ she explains.

‘You could be perfectly happy, perfectly secure, and perfectly content with your stable partner, and still be tempted by the idea that there’s something shiny out there that you can’t have.’

This, she claims, is because it’s ‘difficult for our brains to want what they already have’.

‘It’s something psychotherapist Esther Perel has said, and what it essentially means is that we aren’t going to lust over and desire something we’ve already attained,’ Gigi says.

The expert also believes nostalgia plays a key role, as it’s something we’re very prone to.

‘We tend to long for someone in the past, in an idealised way. Our brains have a real tendency to hone in on the positive aspects of a past relationship or the positive qualities of an ex, ignoring the negative stuff, like arguments or lack of compatibility. That’s why we often miss our toxic ex, even though we know we shouldn’t be with them.’

BACP-registered counsellor and author, L.J Jones, agrees that there’s no issue with people in happily married and committed relationships ‘occasionally’ thinking about a former partner.

‘A passing thought is completely different from wanting to leave a current relationship,’ she says.

‘Memories are often triggered by life events, anniversaries, songs, places, or even reaching a new stage in life. Sometimes the former partner symbolises a younger version of ourselves, roads not taken or unanswered questions, rather than a genuine desire to rekindle the relationship.’

However, if you find these thoughts are becoming more frequent, you might need to dig a little deeper to work out what they’re really telling you.

‘They may reflect unmet emotional needs, nostalgia during a stressful period, or dissatisfaction in another area of life rather than actual feelings for that person.

‘Looking beneath the surface is often far more helpful than focusing on the individual from the past.’

Gigi agrees, adding: ‘It’s ok to miss that person, but becoming so incredibly fixated on the one that got away to the point that you’re sabotaging yourself or your relationship or comparing everyone to an ex, isn’t healthy and needs to be addressed.’

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk

MORE: I didn’t want my son to have stepsiblings — so I had another baby with my ex

MORE: The ‘primal’ sex act women love — but has a reputation for being cringe

MORE: ‘Pingers’ are the irritating colleagues killing the vibes at work

Serena Williams’ daughters and husband watched on with a smile yesterday – even as the tennis legend bowed out of Wimbledon Singles. 

For almost two and a half hours, Centre Court dared to dream that Williams had one more miracle left in her. 

Instead, the seven-time champion’s long-awaited return ended in first-round defeat as Australia’s Maya Joint held her nerve to win 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3. 

Even then, the 44-year-old star still had a smile on her face as she waved to adoring fans, friends and family as they cheered her off the court. 

Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian was seen clapping with their daughters Adira, two, and eight-year-old Olympia at his side. The girls beamed as they watched their mum. 

Sister Venus wasn’t far away, cheering her younger sibling on.   

Four years after many assumed they had seen her final singles appearance at the All England Club, Williams walked back through the famous gates to a reception befitting one of the sport’s greatest ever players.

From the moment she stepped onto Centre Court, she was greeted by a standing ovation that rippled through the 15,000-strong crowd. 

The seven-time champion’s husband remained by her side on Tuesday night, living every point with trademark intensity, while daughters Olympia and Adira were also part of the occasion as their mother returned to the stage

Williams was edged out by the 20-year-old rising star, Maya Joint, who delivered a composed, mature performance beyond her years to secure the biggest win of her career

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Every winner drew a roar. Every shift in momentum was seized upon by spectators desperate to will her towards another famous comeback.

Ultimately, though, the physical demands of top-level singles tennis after four years away proved too much.

And Williams was edged out by the 20-year-old rising star, who delivered a composed, mature performance beyond her years to secure the biggest win of her career.

There were familiar faces watching from Williams’ courtside box, but life has changed considerably since she last played singles here in 2022.

Not only has she welcomed a second child with husband Alexis but she had also co-founded a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team and danced at the Super Bowl.

Williams is now also a fashion red carpet regular, attending her tenth Met Gala in May wearing a Marc Jacobs minidress with gladiator heels, to support her sister Venus – co-chair of the event.

She’s also written a children’s book, something she has in common with the Duchess of Sussex, to whom she was at one point very close.

And more recently she has been open about using the skinny jab Zepbound, which is similar to Mounjaro – quickly becoming one of the most famous celebrities to endorse the controversial weight loss drug.

On Oprah Winfrey’s podcast last August, Williams said she had not wanted to take ‘the shortcut’, but she was not losing weight after her two pregnancies through training alone.

‘I couldn’t beat the weight. It was the one opponent I couldn’t beat,’ she said.

Ohanian remained by her side on Tuesday night, living every point with trademark intensity, while their daughters were also part of the occasion as their mother returned to the stage where she built so much of her sporting legacy.

Sister Venus, who will partner Serena in the doubles later this week, was also among those cheering every point.

But for Williams, this was never simply another first-round match. It was a return to the place where she became a global sporting icon, winning seven singles titles and six women’s doubles crowns alongside Venus.

The Centre Court crowd knew it too. They rose as one when she emerged, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a celebration than the first round of a Grand Slam.

At 44, and making her first Wimbledon singles appearance in 1,462 days, there were inevitable questions about what remained of the explosive power and movement that once intimidated an entire generation. Early on, those concerns appeared justified.

Joint, ranked world No. 87, settled quickly. The Australian’s crisp groundstrokes repeatedly exposed Williams in longer rallies, and once she secured the crucial break midway through the opening set she rarely looked troubled, taking it 6-3 with impressive composure.

Yet those expecting the former champion to quietly fade away underestimated the competitive instinct that has defined her career.

Williams gradually found her timing, serving with greater authority and unleashing flashes of the thunderous hitting that once made her virtually untouchable on grass.

The second set became vintage Serena in spirit if not always execution.

Twice she recovered from a break down to drag herself back into contention, with Centre Court willing her forward, she saved a match point before forcing a tie-break, then somehow summoned enough quality to edge it 8-6.

Venus Williams is pictured ahead of watching her sister Serena Williams take on Maya Joint on day two of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships

Williams waves to the crowd after losing her first round match; smiling even as she bowed out of Wimbledon Singles

Serena Williams’ family including husband Alexis Ohanian, their two daughters Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. and Adira River Ohanian watch her play

Those expecting the former champion to quietly fade away underestimated the competitive instinct that has defined her career

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Despite the weight of expectation pressing down from every corner of Centre Court, the Australian reset impressively in the deciding set

The noise when Joint’s final return drifted long was among the loudest heard all tournament, as 15,000 spectators dared to dream that one final Wimbledon comeback might still be unfolding before their eyes.

For a few magical minutes, time appeared suspended.

But greatness in sport also means recognising the next generation, and Joint refused to become overawed by either the occasion or the opponent standing across the net.

Despite the weight of expectation pressing down from every corner of Centre Court, the Australian reset impressively in the deciding set. 

She continued to target Williams’ movement, absorbing the crowd’s energy without allowing it to rattle her concentration.

Williams continued to fight, chasing every ball and refusing to surrender – even as fatigue inevitably crept in after almost two and a half hours of intense competition.

Ultimately, however, the physical demands of singles tennis after four years away proved too great.

Joint secured the decisive break before serving out one of the biggest victories of her young career, sealing a result she is unlikely ever to forget.

There was disappointment, especially as Williams had spoken before the tournament about embracing the opportunity to return, admitting she did not know whether Wimbledon would ever come calling again.

Yet defeat hardly diminished the occasion.

Williams graciously shakes hands with Australia’s Maya Joint. While her singles campaign may be over, Wimbledon is not quite finished with Williams

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Serena Williams will return this Thursday in a doubles pair with her sister, Venus

For long stretches, Williams reminded everyone why she became a seven-time Wimbledon champion. The serve still carried menace. The competitive fire still burned fiercely. Most importantly, the resilience that made her one of sport’s defining champions never deserted her.

And while her singles campaign may be over, Wimbledon is not quite finished with Williams.

As she will return this Thursday in a doubles pair with Venus.

The Williams sisters remain the most successful doubles partnership of the modern era.

Together they have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, including six Wimbledon crowns, and completed the career Golden Slam by winning Olympic gold four times.

Their dominance helped redefine women’s doubles, with their combination of power, athleticism and instinctive understanding making them virtually unbeatable at their peak.

It will be the first time they have competed together at Wimbledon for a decade and offers fans another opportunity to watch two of the tournament’s most iconic champions share Centre Court once more.

Gene Wilder fans are in uproar after Netflix revealed that an AI recreation of the late actor’s voice is being used for their new competition show, Wonka’s The Golden Ticket.

The streaming service bills the show, which is set to be released September 23, as a “one-of-a-kind reality competition” where “lucky players step inside Wonka’s Chocolate Factory to face unpredictable games, tests and temptations.”

A new trailer for the series features an AI-generated voiceover created to sound like Wilder, who famously starred as Wonka in the much-loved 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Wilder died in 2016 at the age of 83.

In the teaser clip, a recreation of Wilder’s voice can be heard saying: “For the first time in decades, I’m opening my beloved chocolate factory… A whole new generation of real life golden ticket holders will compete for a life-changing prize, or say a most unfortunate goodbye.”

The reveal of the AI-generated voice has failed to spark wonder with fans of Wilder or the 1971 film. One wrote on X: “Gene is rolling in his grave.”

Another opined that the AI voice “almost sounds like gene wilder, but not really and is a plastic substitute that people will eat up because the robots have made them stupid, This is an obscenity.”

A third added: “Someone should have voiced this better, the ai voice lacks emotion, no soul no depth.”

While another wrote: “WORST VERSION OF HIS VOICE! WTAF… you couldn’t go with more than one take from the AI bot?! I could probably piece together an amalgamation of just things genes said in movies and get a smoother more natural dialogue feels… he said ‘extraordinary’ entirely WRONG… rip Gene.”

Wilder quit feature films in 1991, decades before his death.

In his final interview, the actor said he left Hollywood behind because he “didn’t want to do the kind of junk I was seeing.”

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“I didn’t want to do 3D, for instance,” he continued. “I didn’t want to do ones where it’s just bombing and loud and swearing. So much swearing going on. If someone says ‘Ah, go f*** yourself,’ well, if it came from a meaningful place, I’d understand it. But if you go to some movies, can’t they just stop and talk, just talk, instead of swearing? That put me off a lot.”

Tim Burton’s version of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was also dismissed by Wilder.

“I think it’s an insult,” he said of the reboot. “Johnny Depp, I think, is a good actor, but I don’t care for that director. He’s a talented man, but I don’t care for him doing stuff like he did.”

Though he also gave memorable performances in several Mel Brooks comedies, Wilder is perhaps best remembered for his outlandish turn as Wonka, typified by this classic, nightmarish tunnel boat ride scene.

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The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Unicorn Centre in Hemlington, Middlesbrough, will hold its Unicorn Day on Sunday, 12 July, from 10am to 3pm.

The event promises unicorn-themed activities, fundraising stalls, and a look around the centre.

Unicorn (Image: Supplied)

Gabrielle Finn, chair of trustees, said: “Unicorns are so popular with children, and we will have plenty around the centre to meet and ride.

“Running a riding centre as large as ours is a massive financial undertaking and events like this play a huge part.

“We hope lots of people will come along to find out more about what we do, and support our fundraising.”

Children aged five to 12 can enjoy a unicorn pony ride in a magical indoor woodland glade for £15, with rides requiring pre-booking.

Throughout the day, visitors can take part in a hobby horse competition in the outdoor arena, browse craft stalls, and try their luck at the raffle or tombola.

Refreshments will also be available.

The centre welcomes donations of bottles or prizes for the raffle and tombola in advance of the event. Entry is free.

It is located on Stainton Way in Hemlington, beside the Cleveland Police Headquarters.

The centre is part of the national Riding for the Disabled Association and is supported by Team GB Olympic medallist Nicola Wilson, who serves as patron.

For more information, or to book a pony ride, call 01642 576222.

He appeared as Gail Platt’s long-lost father, Ted Page, on Coronation Street between 2008 and 2010.

In one storyline on the ITV soap, he memorably gave his unlucky-in-love daughter away at her wedding to Joe McIntyre.

Alongside that, he played SS Officer Ernst Vogel in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, sharing scenes with Harrison Ford and Sean Connery.

RIP to the charming Michael Byrne who played Corrie’s (lovely, gay) Ted Page. pic.twitter.com/kkTam7Ezw7

— Stuart Beck (@StuartBeckMP) June 30, 2026

Other supporting roles included Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, Smythe in Braveheart, Major Schroeder in Force 10 from Navarone and Admiral Kelly in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.

A few people took to social media to pay tribute to Byrne, as one wrote on X: “So sad to hear about the death of Michael Byrne who played the glorious Gay Ted in #Corrie.”

In response, one person said: “Oh, he was always so lovely! Those eyes!”

A third posted: “RIP to the charming Michael Byrne who played Corrie’s (lovely, gay) Ted Page.”

The superb Michael Byrne has left us 💔 pic.twitter.com/8DxQ4bJFX9

— Lily May Sherratt (@IreneWildthyme) June 30, 2026

The veteran actor is survived by his former wife Carole, who cared for him towards the end of his life, alongside their daughters, Tara and Bryony, and three grandchildren, Tom, Chloe and Jasmine.

The life and career of Michael Byrne

Michael Byrne was born in Hampstead, London, the son of Helen Byrne, a single mother and cook from Kilkenny, Ireland.

Byrne attended the Anna Freud nursery and Burgess Hill school in Hampstead, and trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama (supported by the Freud Institute), The Guardian reports.

He met his future wife, Carole Nimmons, when he toured Ireland with the Arena theatre company in 1962, marrying her in 1965.

Byrne appeared in many small roles on stage at first, as part of Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre Company.

He moved on to major roles at the Royal Court and West End and began to make appearances in numerous TV shows and films.

Film credits included Apt Pupil, The Eagle Has Landed, A Bridge Too Far, The Medusa Touch, The Saint, The Sum of All Fears and Gangs of New York.

Meanwhile, TV shows included Casualty, A Touch of Frost and Sharpe.

What are your favourite memories of Michael Byrne on screen? Let us know in the comments.

He took part in the challenge with Bishopthorpe Palace staff to raise funds for York Carers Centre.

The challenge is part of a wider goal to raise £1,000 through a series of charity events.

A member of staff at Bishopthorpe Palace said: “Many people do not recognise themselves as carers, but see themselves as family members, friends and neighbours, doing what needs to be done for someone close to them.

“However, juggling this with work and family life, sometimes without the right information or support, can be really challenging and that is why organisations like York Carers Centre are so important.”

The Palace team was inspired to support the charity after learning of a colleague’s personal experience with York Carers Centre.

Events so far have included a staff brunch, with each fundraiser bringing staff together outside of their usual roles and helping to build stronger relationships across teams.

Fundraising activities will continue in the coming months, and organisers hope not only to reach their £1,000 target but also to raise greater awareness of the vital work unpaid carers do across York.

Donations can be made via the palace’s JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/page/york-carers-centre-1.