Lystus Ebosele, known to fans as Cyclone, joined the revival of the show last year, which is hosted by Bradley and Barney Walsh.

However, she confirmed on social media that she has stepped down from the series of her own accord.

In an Instagram story shared on Thursday (July 30), the 25-year-old powerlifting champion said she was not “axed,” but chose to leave after appearing in two seasons of the programme.

Lystus said: “I have not been axed, I have left on my own accord.

“I am so sorry to all the families that have come to filming expecting me to be there, and have found out about my absence on arrival to the arena with no explanation, I truly am, but it’s not fair to fans of the show how things have transpired.

“I have made the decision to step away from the show for a few reasons, of which I don’t know if or when I’ll discuss tbh.

“Ultimately it was the correct decision and one I don’t regret at all.”

She confirmed she will still take part in the 2026 Live Tour but will not return for future series.

Lystus has unfollowed the show’s official Instagram account and deleted all pictures of herself on the show.

When contacted by Newsquest, the BBC did not offer any comment on the matter.

What other Gladiators stars have left this year?

Lystus’ exit follows the recent departures of Matty Campbell, known as Bionic, and Karenjeet Kaur Bains, known as Athena, both of whom missed much of the last series due to injury.

A source told The Sun: “They won’t film this year for the show but could be back for the tour, depending on how they recover from their injuries.”

Earlier this year, 40-year-old Jamie Bigg, known as Giant, also left the programme under controversial circumstances.

Bigg said he was let go after telling producers he intended to go public with his relationship, including the fact that his partner is an OnlyFans creator.

He said in a statement to the Press Association: “I made it clear that I was planning to go public with my relationship, including the fact my partner works as an OnlyFans creator, and shortly after that I was told I wouldn’t be continuing on Gladiators.

“It wasn’t something I expected, especially given the commitment I’ve shown to the role.

“I’ve always taken being in the public eye seriously, and I believe being a role model is about honesty as well as professionalism.

“For me, that means not hiding parts of who I am or the people I care about.”

Bigg also said he is “grateful to the BBC and everyone involved in the show for the opportunity and the experiences I’ve had.”

Are you said to see Cyclone leave Gladiators? Let us know in the comments.

Alexandra Walker had woken up following a heavy night on the booze to find her daughter seriously ill after she had been sexually and violently assaulted by her boyfriend, Harrison Simpson.

The 26-year-old picked up Isabelle Welsh’s floppy body but instead of immediately calling for emergency help she took the opportunity to have a final cigarette and tidy away her boyfriend’s bong.

Her shocking actions were all caught on CCTV inside her own home.

On Thursday (July 30), Welsh and Simpson were jailed for life for murder with minimum terms of 22 and 28 years respectively.

Isabelle Welsh (left) and her murderers Alexandra Walker (top right) and Harrison Simpson (bottom right). (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

During her trial for the murder of her two-year-old daughter, Walker was captured regularly getting drunk while her boyfriend smoked drugs into the early hours, including the night before her daughter was fatally injured.

When Walker eventually got out of bed, she found her daughter seriously ill and carried out an internet search asking why Isabelle could have blood in her nappy.

The heartless mum laid her daughter on the floor at the foot of the stairs before moving Simpson’s bong and having a smoke in the kitchen.

It took her almost an hour to call her stepfather for help, and when he arrived at her home on Hartington Close, Thornaby, he immediately demanded she call 999.

Isabelle Rose Welsh (Image: Family handout)

Despite the best efforts of paramedics and specialist hospital staff Isabelle never regained consciousness after suffering a severe bleed on the brain after he head was smashed against a hard object.

Sentencing Walker, the judge, the Honourable Ms Justice Norton, said: “You deliberately delayed getting help again for at least an hour on the day that Isabelle collapsed.

Tributes on Hartington Close in Thornaby (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

“Instead, of calling the emergency services or doing anything whatsoever to help your dying child, you put her on the floor, cleared away evidence of Harrison Simpson’s cannabis use and went into the kitchen or garden to smoke two cigarettes.

“I have no doubt whatsoever that your lack of urgency or concern for your child was because you wrongly believed that Isabelle was already dead, and you were working out what to do to save your own skin.

“Rather than phoning the emergency services, you made repeated attempts to contact Harrison Simpson. Indeed, as you told the jury, the reason why you did eventually call for an ambulance was because you realised that it was a very bad situation that you (not Isabelle) were in.”

Walker was jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years on Thursday, July 30, after she was convicted of murder and child cruelty.

Meanwhile, Simpson, 22, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years after he was convicted of the same charges as well sexually assaulting the toddler.

By RORY TINGLE, HOME AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT

Published: 10:57 BST, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 11:20 BST, 31 July 2026

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has been charged with multiple assaults on prison officers at HMP Belmarsh.

The 19-year-old was charged on Tuesday over the three separate alleged attacks in 2025, the Metropolitan Police said.

He was jailed for a minimum of 52 years for the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and the attempted murders of eight other children, class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.

In May last year, it was alleged he used a kettle in his cell to heat water up and then poured boiling water over a prison officer.

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Other guards heard their colleague’s screams and restrained Rudakubana following the attack, it is alleged. 

The prison officer was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure and was discharged later that day before returning to work.

The Prison Service said at the time: ‘Police are investigating an attack on a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh.

‘Violence in prison will not be tolerated and we will always push for the strongest possible punishment for attacks on our hard-working staff.’

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Axel Rudakubana was charged on Tuesday over the three separate alleged attacks in 2025

In May last year, it was alleged he used a kettle in his cell to heat water up and then poured boiling water over a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh 

The Metropolitan Police said Rudakubana has been charged with the following:

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• Assault on an emergency worker on Tuesday, May 6, 2025
• Attempted grievous bodily harm on Thursday, May 8, 2025
• Unauthorised possession of an offensive weapon in prison on Thursday, June 26, 2025
• Assault on an emergency worker on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

He will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court via videolink on September 11.

 

Cambridgeshire Police has warned drivers that there are “heavy delays” on the A14 between Easton and Brampton.

They said: “Please be aware that the westbound carriageway on the A14 between Easton and Brampton is currently experiencing heavy delays and a tailback caused by an unfortunate spillage, so look to take alternate routes.

“Be advised, those with children in the car or have a weak disposition may be affected by the scene.”

Cristiano Ronaldo and fiancée, Georgina Rodriguez, have got tongues wagging after a leaked invite appeared to suggest the pair were getting hitched this weekend

Rumours are rife that Cristiano Ronaldo is getting married tomorrow after a leaked wedding invite appeared to confirm the news.

The former Man Utd star, 41, got engaged to fiancée, Georgina Rodriguez, 33, with whom he shares three children, last year after nine years together.

The legendary footballer, who played his last World Cup match for Portugal this summer, has always kept coy about when he would walk down the aisle with Georgina, saying marriage is a significant milestone for him and that he would know when the timing was right.

He has referred to Argentinian model Georgina – who he met when she was working as a sales assistant at Gucci – as his wife since last year, with the influencer often posting snaps of some serious bling on her wedding finger.

However, it appears the couple are finally making things official after a leaked invite set the date for August 1 – but is it really happening? Here’s what we know…

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Leaked wedding invite

Recent reports from various Portuguese newspapers have suggested that Ronaldo and Georgina’s wedding might take place this Saturday.

The speculation came after an alleged invitation, purportedly for the couple’s nuptials, was leaked to the Portuguese programme ‘V+Fama‘.

The invite reportedly read: “Together with their families, Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez request the honour of your presence at the celebration of their marriage.”

However, while some versions of the invite said the ceremony would begin at 2:00 p.m., others said it would start at 5:00 p.m, leading some to speculate if it was real.

All-black dress code

The invite also allegedly asks guests to dress all in black to celebrate the couple’s big day.

The strict dress code has lead to discussions about the significance of the colour, with some wondering Georgina, who we presume will be wearing in white, wants the contrast for a glossy magazine spread.

As one of the world’s most famous couples, there is sure to be a huge bidding war to get the first snaps from the special day – when it eventually happens.

Guest list

The guest list for the rumoured wedding has not been confirmed. However, according to one source, famous faces at the nuptials will include not only football players but stars from the showbiz world.

Footballers Rio Ferdinand, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Rodriguez, are all said to have been invited as as well as actors Vin Diesel and Esther Exposito, who is dating Mbappe. Meanwhile, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Drake and rapper Travis Scott are also said to be asked to attend.

Also said to be on the guest list is TV presenter Piers Morgan, who Ronaldo told he would marry Georgina after this year’s World Cup in one of the biggest clues yet the wedding is on.

Couple show off matching diamond rings

Shortly before the invite was leaked, Georgina shared an Instagram post, which got tongues wagging. The model often posts snaps of her eye-wateringly expensive diamond rings. However, relaxing aboard Ronaldo’s CR7 jet this week, the mum-of-three shared something a bit different.

After polishing off a scrumptious breakfast of scrambled egg and smoked salmon next to her enormous Birkin bag, Georgina posted a snap on Instagram in which both she and Ronaldo are wearing designer watches encrusted with jewels. However, the couple, who were papped onboard the footballer’s yacht in Majorca this week, are also both rocking some serious bling on their wedding finger in a post, which feels very much like a statement.

Portuguese media appears to confirm wedding venue – but there’s a catch

Portuguese media claims the couple are set to wed in Portugal on Saturday, with local press suggesting they will marry at the stunning Quinta da Regaleira estate in Sintra.

One TV host has claimed the ceremony will be at the Quinta da Regaleira estate in Sintra, Portugal, however it still appears to be open to the public this weekend, adding doubt to the rumours.

In more confusion, the leaked invite specifies the date and venue: “Saturday, 1 August, 2026. At five in the afternoon at Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, Portugal.” However, within hours, a family statement was released, unequivocally denying that Cristiano and Georgina would be marrying this coming weekend.

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Ronaldo tells pal Piers Morgan he’ll get married after World Cup

Despite the denial, Ronaldo had previously claimed he was planning to marry Georgina after this year’s World Cup, which saw Portugal knocked out the Round of 16 after losing to Spain.

He told pal Piers Morgan: “I hope to arrive at my wedding with the champion’s trophy. I’m going to marry her because I believe it’s the right time. Not just because she’s the mother of my children — but because she’s the person I love most.”

Revealing he popped the question to Georgina at 1am in 2025, he continued: “It was like 1 am. My daughters were in bed sleeping. One of my friends gave me the ring to offer Gio, and as I was giving her the ring, my two kids come in and say: ‘Daddy, you’re going to give the ring to mum and you’re going to ask her to get married”‘.

“I said: ‘Wow, this is the right moment to say yes.’”

Admitting he hadn’t actually planned to propose at that moment, he concluded: “It was the time. I knew that I was going to do it one day, but I hadn’t planned to do it then.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

A food expert says that ditching the bowl and whisking your eggs can create incredibly soft and fluffy scrambled eggs

Scrambled eggs are a beloved breakfast — or brunch — staple that can be prepared in just a few minutes. Every chef and home cook swears by their own preferred technique, but one expert has revealed a straightforward way to speed up the process without sacrificing flavour or texture.

Food expert Kris Osborne has disclosed that whisking eggs together is not actually necessary to achieve soft and fluffy scrambled eggs. Instead, the trick is to make them directly in a frying pan.

As Kris wrote for Simply Recipes: “Somewhere along the way, though, I realised there are days when I actually prefer it this way. The scrambled eggs come out soft and fluffy, but instead of uniform yellow curds, they have ribbons of white and golden yolk running through them.”

This particular cooking technique is also referred to as “frambled eggs” — a hybrid of scrambled and fried, whereby “ribbons of white and golden yolk” form the finished dish, rather than the more familiar “uniform yellow curds”, reports the Express.

In essence, you bypass the step of whisking the eggs in a bowl beforehand, streamlining the whole process. Kris has admitted she had actually been making frambled eggs for years without even realising it, and they are remarkably simple to prepare.

As an added bonus, it also eliminates the need for extra washing up.

How to make frambled eggs

To begin, heat a non-stick pan over a medium-low heat and add a knob of butter, allowing it to melt until it turns slightly foamy. Keeping the heat low is essential, as eggs can transform from soft to rubbery “in a matter of seconds”.

Crack two eggs directly into the pan, seasoning with salt and pepper, and resist the urge to stir them straight away.

As the eggs begin to cook, the whites will gradually turn opaque and start to set around the edges. Once the whites have fully set but the yolk remains runny, use a spatula to break up the yolk.

Gently fold the eggs over themselves using the spatula. Kris advises folding just enough so the eggs are “loosely combined” without fully blending the whites and yolks together.

Remove the pan from the heat while the eggs are still “slightly glossy”, as they will carry on cooking from the residual warmth left in the pan.

Kris wrote: “I still make traditional scrambled eggs. But I have to admit, I feel a little more justified when I skip the bowl. Whether you call it a technique or just a shortcut, it turns out the ‘lazy’ way and the good way can be the same thing.”

How the “42% Rule” can get families through the summer holidays

The North Sea has increasingly become a topic for political debate.

In its 2024 general election manifesto, Labour said it would not issue new licences for drilling, but would honour existing ones.

But in recent months, as the Iran war pushed up global oil prices, calls have grown for more North Sea drilling to be approved, from the Conservatives, Reform UK and from President Trump, while also becoming a divisive issue within the Labour party.

Some Labour MPs have urged the government to take a more liberal approach, warning that the transition away from oil and gas must protect jobs and the cost of energy bills.

But others have backed the government’s existing approach, arguing that expanding renewable energy is key to improving energy security and reducing the impact on climate change.

As energy secretary in Sir Keir Starmer’s government, Ed Miliband was a staunch supporter of the manifesto position. Miliband is now the foreign secretary in Burnham’s government.

Burnham himself has seemingly left the door open to future drilling. He said he told President Trump this week: “There is a resource there. When people are struggling – you can’t ignore that.”

Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell previously told the BBC that Burnham would stick to the party’s manifesto commitments, but there would be a “change of emphasis” on North Sea oil and gas.

Oil and gas companies have also criticised the UK’s windfall tax, which they argue means the North Sea has lost some of its appeal in recent years.

GENEVA (AP) — Asia’s soccer body joined opposition to Gianni Infantino’s plan for private investors to buy stakes in the World Cup and said Friday FIFA must urgently review its management style.

The Asian Football Confederation said it “stands in solidarity” with European body UEFA and North America’s CONCACAF which on Thursday respectively threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions and rejected Infantino’s offer of one-off $20 million payments to each member federation.

“Football should never have been placed in such a position,” said the Asian soccer body, which counts 46 of FIFA’s 211 member federations that Infantino gave a Sept. 19 deadline to accept the $20 million offer.

Infantino has proposed spinning off FIFA’s commercial businesses — including World Cups and Club World Cups for men and women — into a $20 billion subsidiary with 20% owned by private investors.

The “anchor investor,” described by FIFA, is a New York-based investment firm created by Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

“(T)he proposed (FIFA Forward Enterprise) cannot realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward” and must be reconsidered, the AFC said.

The statement did not name Infantino yet criticized FIFA for problems beyond the content of the private equity plan plus failing to consult about a secretive proposal that was revealed Tuesday in media reports.

“Rather, it has exposed fundamental weaknesses in FIFA’s consultation and decision-making processes that must now be addressed,” the AFC said. “Accordingly, the AFC calls upon FIFA to undertake an urgent review of its governance and decision-making framework.”

The statement came hours after FIFA blamed the media and doubled down on pursuing the project which now seems to have a majority of the 211 members in opposition.

“Our planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports,” FIFA said in a statement early Friday. “We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each (member) has the ability to express its vote based on facts.”

The next FIFA event that would be targeted by the threatened European boycott is within weeks — the Women’s Under-20 World Cup hosted by Poland from Sept. 5. The four British federations comprise FIFA’s only bidder to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup. That decision is due Nov. 23.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and AP World Cup coverage

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Human Rights Watch said Friday that Russian government-controlled Africa Corps aircraft killed eight civilians, including three children, in an airstrike on a village in central Mali last month.

The rights group said an attack aircraft identified as a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 dropped two munitions on Kyrnia village in the Mopti region on June 15. One strike hit near the home of the village chief, killing his wife and three children. The second hit a nearby cattle market, killing four men. No fighters from the Islamic militant group JNIM, which has controlled the village for six years, were reported among the casualties.

The Associated Press was not able to independently verify the claims by Human Rights Watch.

Mali has been plagued for over a decade by militants affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, including JNIM, as well as a Tuareg separatist rebellion in the north.

Violence escalated in recent months after an alliance of JNIM and Tuareg separatists carried out the largest coordinated attack in over a decade, targeting the airport of the country’s capital, Bamako, the nearby garrison town of Kati, and several northern and central cities.

April’s attacks exposed the weaknesses of Mali’s strategy to combat the rebellion, including relying on Russia, which has partnered with the military-led government after it distanced itself from former allies such as France.

Russian mercenaries have been present in Mali since late 2021 to help its military junta fight militants and separatists. Last year, Africa Corps, which reports to Russia’s Defense Ministry, replaced the private mercenary Wagner Group in the country.

Human Rights Watch said it interviewed 19 people, analyzed satellite imagery, and reviewed a video the Africa Corps posted online describing the strike last month as targeting a “terrorist” gathering. Researchers said roughly 100 JNIM fighters were in the village at the time but were mostly gathered elsewhere, and that the strikes did not appear to target a clear military objective.

The rights group called on Mali’s government to investigate the strike and hold those responsible accountable, saying it could otherwise be complicit in war crimes.

Russia’s Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.