Former X Factor star Katie Waissel has revealed she was rushed to hospital after falling ill with a “severe” strain of bacterial pneumonia and is now recovering in hospital

Katie Waissel is recovering after being rushed to hospital. The singer who found fame on The X Factor in 2010 informed her followers that she had been in “excruciating” pain.

It was later determined that the singer, 40, was suffering from “severe bacterial pneumonia”. Katie later took to social media to issue a statement, apologising for being absent from her online accounts.

She told her X, formerly known as Twitter, followers: “Sorry I’ve been a little MIA, everyone. A couple of days ago I was rushed into hospital by ambulance and admitted as an emergency. It turns out I have severe bacterial pneumonia, so I’ve been rather unexpectedly residing in a hospital bed in Central London ever since.” She later went on to say it had been one of “the most frightening and excruciatingly painful” experiences she had ever endured.

Katie continued: “At one point, I was apparently far closer to the edge than I realised. It’s a very strange feeling being told afterwards just how serious things had become, when the whole time I genuinely thought I just needed to push through it and I’ll be fine because I have to be.”

Adding to her statement, Katie thanked the “extraordinary teams” at St John and St Elizabeth Hospital in London, who had been treating her after she was rushed in.

She continued: “The kindness, professionalism and compassion I’ve experienced has been nothing short of incredible. I’m taking things one day at a time, doing exactly as I’m told for once, and hoping to be back home sometime next week.

“Thank you for all your messages, love and patience while I’ve been quiet. Hug your people a little tighter tonight. Lots of love, Katie x.” Katie’s loyal followers instantly rushed to offer their support, with one person saying: “Frightening. I’m glad you’re on the mend and feeling better. Day by day!”

“Oh my goodness, Katie! Sending loads of love for a speedy recovery. Get better soon,” said a second. While a third went on to write: “Ahhh Katie!! I’m so glad that you have recovered and are doing better! Pneumonia is no joke!”

Another commented: “Oh my God, I am so sorry to hear that, Katie. I am glad you are better now and take all the time you need to make a full recovery.” A fifth penned: “So glad they’re taking good care of you, Katie, get well soon and back to your family and own bed! Sending you lots of love and healing prayers.”

This, however, isn’t Katie’s first health scare. In 2021, the singer, who also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, was rushed to the hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack. She said at the time she had to crawl down the stairs and dialled 999 for assistance.

Since finding fame, Katie has continually used her platform to call for changes in the entertainment industry and is advocating for “revolutionising Safety in the creative industries”. Having won a scholarship and completed a postgraduate law course at the BPP University

She’s since launched the OWHL Foundation, which oversees “welfare, human rights and liberty within the creative industry sector” and has called for an “urgent need for change in the music industry”.

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The party announced its candidate for the by-election on Monday afternoon

Restore Britain has announced its candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election as Marlon West. It comes following Mr Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election which has triggered a vote for a new mayor, to take place on July 30.

Labour will be hoping to defend the mayoralty, while Reform UK is likely to be a significant challenger, having won dozens of council seats across Greater Manchester in May’s local elections.

It will be the first time a candidate from the Restore party has stood to be mayor of the region, after the right-wing party was set up by former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe in 2025.

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West, who is from Greater Manchester and has worked in the NHS across the region for more than 30 years, says he will push to attract genuine business investment, cut wasteful public spending, protect greenfield land from developers, and overhaul a transport network that has ‘failed commuters for years’ if he wins.

He said: “I have lived and worked in this city for my entire life. I have seen what good public services look like and I have seen what happens when institutions fail the people they are supposed to protect.

“Andy Burnham ran those institutions for a decade while children were being abused on his watch. Greater Manchester deserves a mayor who understands this city, fights for its people, and is not afraid to hold power to account. I am standing because this city deserves better and I know exactly what that looks like.”

The candidate has been a prominent campaigner against Child Sexual Exploitation in the country, spending more than two years pressuring the government to establish a national grooming gang inquiry, according to Restore.

He has also worked with the party leader in his independent Rape Gang Inquiry, which claims to be the most comprehensive independent examination of grooming gang abuse ever conducted in Britain.

Leader of Restore Britain, Rupert Lowe MP said: “Marlon West spent years fighting for victims that politicians like Andy Burnham chose to ignore. He knows this city and he knows its people. Greater Manchester deserves better leadership than it has had. Marlon has already proved he fights for this city when it matters. Now he wants to run it.”

Restore Britain is the second party to announce its candidate for the election – with the Greens announcing Geraldine Coggins as their candidate last week.

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Labour issued a statement on Friday evening describing the upcoming contest as a ‘two-horse race’ between itself and Reform. A Labour source said: “Labour in power in Greater Manchester has seen real improvements for people’s everyday lives.

“From buses back in public control with capped fares, to thousands more homes and additional infrastructure built – all of this progress could be put at risk with Reform. The Greens can’t win this race. It’s time to pass the torch from Andy Burnham, who has delivered for the area, to the next transformational Labour mayor.”

Manchester council leader Bev Craig – who became the first woman to hold that position in 2021 – is currently considered to be the favourite for the nomination, while Salford mayor Paul Dennett is understood not to be putting himself forward. The M.E.N. understands allies close to Mr Burnham fear Labour could lose the mayoralty if Sir Keir Starmer does not set out a timeline for his departure before the by-election takes place.

Researchers in Boston have uncovered a trove of revolution-era artifacts just in time to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Archaeologists were digging near the Bunker Hill monument in Boston when they found musket balls, gun flints, and evidence of a Revolutionary War-era fortification.

The excavation at the site is part of an effort to learn more about an earthen fortification, or redoubt, that was used by colonists during the battle. Colonial troops likely built the redoubt overnight just before the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775.

“Many maps [of the redoubt] have been drawn, but they all disagree with each other. So, we’re really hoping to lock in exactly where it was located. And if we can, figure out exactly what it looked like, that’s an added bonus,” Joe Bagley, Boston’s City Archaeologist, told CBS News.

The Battle of Bunker Hill was considered a turning point in the Revolutionary War. The British troops occupying Boston ultimately forced the colonists holding Breed Hill — where most of the fighting took place — into retreat, but lost more than 1,000 men in the process.

The pyrrhic victory for the British helped to unify the colonies behind the cause of the revolution and showed that the colonial troops could hold their own against professional soldiers, according to historians.

The dig is being undertaken by Boston’s archaeology program and a team of veterans working with the American Veterans Archaeological Recovery organization. The AVAR organization is based in Pennsylvania and helps veterans transition back into civilian life and assists them with jobs in archaeology.

In addition to finding the artifacts, the team at the site have discovered a fragment of a Victorian doll, a key, and a 400-year-old stone tool they believe likely belonged to the Massachusett Tribe.

Bagley said of the current crop of discoveries that the gun flint was the find that gave him “chills.”

“This is a gun spall, or a gun flint, that was used in a musket. This is from the Battle of Bunker Hill. So, this would have actually been here during the battle,” Bagley said. “This one gave me chills when it came out.”

Joel Bohy, a battlefield archaeologist who specializes in weapons from the American Revolution, told Fox News that artifacts found during the dig will give people the chance to hold “a piece of the battle in their hand.”

“In a way, it makes the history more dimensional when you look at these objects from the battle itself,” he told the outlet.

Volunteers working with Bagley’s archaeological team will have the chance to examine and handle these artifacts up close, though getting on one of his crews is apparently a feat in and of itself.

During a recent interview with MassLive, Bagley said that anytime he calls for volunteers, the spots fill up in less than a minute.

“Less than a minute, they’re just gone,” he told the outlet.

His digs only happen a few times a year, and since they focus on Boston — one of the most historically significant cities in the nation’s history — get snapped up fast.

The current dig will continue for another two weeks — just long enough to include the Fourth of July.

“For us, it’s important to complicate this idea of the extreme commodification of Frida, which can take away from her work, and there’s also something to be said of this idea of democratic ownership and how everyone has been able to tap into Frida into different reasons – for political reasons, for cultural reasons, for personal reasons.”

Hoping and praying your carry on bag fits in the baggage sizer is a universal experience.

And with major airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet financially incentivising their staff to weed out oversized suitcases, your chances of getting caught out are pretty high.

But Wizz Air are now facing backlash, after British traveller, Mia Peltier (@mileswithmia), shared a video of Spanish airport staff in Alicante attempting to charge her €75 (£64.69) for a cabin bag which appeared to be the right size.

She was also told by staff that they were enforcing a ‘one jacket per person’ policy, and that she was wearing too many items of clothing.

Now, the airline has revealed to Metro that the it is investigating multiple reports of ‘overly strict’ enforcement of hand luggage policies at certain Spanish airports.

Wizz Air said: ‘[We are] aware of reports regarding overly strict baggage checks at some Spanish airports. The airline is investigating the matter and has already consulted with its ground handling partner regarding the correct procedures.’

Wizz Air also clarified that there is no such ‘jacket policy’.

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‘There are no restrictions on the number of layers of clothing that a passenger may wear when boarding,’ the spokesperson added.

Ultimately, the airline reiterated that a customer should only be charged if any part of their bag extends beyond the dimensions of the sizer.

Mia’s clip has already hit 5.8 million views on TikTok. Upset, she can be heard saying: ‘How does that not fit? It fits!’ repeatedly.

She adds that she needs to get home and that her bag is in fact the right size.

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The staff then claim that Mia is wearing too many clothes or layers, and that she needed to put some in her bag.

‘It’s only one jacket per person,’ the airport worker says in the video.

Spanish speakers in the comments also claim the women in the video were saying: ‘We haven’t been able to charge anyone, we need to charge her.’

Fortunately Mia did not have to pay the £64 after another staff member intervened.

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People in the comments were quick to sympathise saying, ‘this is so wicked’ and ‘that’s a mockery’.

‘I’m so happy you didn’t back down despite stress because the bag fits,’ wrote one.

‘”It’s only one jacket per person” where is that written?’ added another. ‘I’ve travelled with a jacket on and a jacket in my hands.’

‘This is outrageous,’ said a fellow TikToker.

When Metro contacted Wizz Air about Mia’s experience, they responded with an apology.

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‘Wizz Air apologises to passengers who are incorrectly charged for baggage,’ a spokesperson told Metro.

Unlike Ryanair and EasyJet, Wizz Air specified employees of the airline don’t receive commission for identifying and charging customers for oversized hand luggage.

But the airline explained: ‘At all airports served by Wizz Air, carry-on baggage checks are conducted by local ground handling partners contracted by the airline.

‘These handlers are entitled to charge extra handling fees for customers who arrive with oversized cabin baggage. These fees are clearly displayed at the airport and explained to any passengers who are charged.’

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It’s unclear whether the staff earn commission from their employer (separate to Wizz Air) for spotting oversized bags, or not.

Wizz Air encourages refund claims to be submitted via the website or mobile app using the baggage check-in receipt, supported by a photograph where possible.

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Exeter’s uncapped Greg Fisilau is the secondary number eight behind first-choice Ben Earl, edging out Alex Dombrandt.

Guy Pepper has recovered from injury to take his place in the back row, while tighthead props George Kloska and Vilikesa Sela are in line for first caps.

The absence of Itoje, who recently posted pictures of himself on holiday in Mauritius to social media, opens opportunities for others in the second row.

George Martin, whose superb performance against South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final will have been front of mind for head coach Steve Borthwick, only recently made his comeback from 14 months out with a string of injuries, while Gloucester’s Arthur Clark will hope to add to the solitary cap he won against the United States in July.

In the front row, Sale’s Asher Opoku-Fordjour – more usually a tighthead – will also cover loosehead prop, where Ellis Genge only recently recovered from a calf complaint and Bevan Rodd and Fin Baxter have been ruled out.

With only Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Cadan Murley included alongside Caluori as specialist wingers, Borthwick’s selections hint at a possible return out wide for Tommy Freeman, who started at outside centre in four of England’s five Six Nations games.

Borthwick admitted the itinerary thrown up by the new Nations Championship – which has replaced the traditional single-location summer tour for northern hemisphere nations – will present a new challenge.

After taking on world champions South Africa at altitude in Johannesburg, England will play Fiji in Liverpool, before heading to the small Argentine city of Santiago del Estero to face the Pumas.

“We’ve selected a squad with a good blend of experience and emerging talent,” said Borthwick.

“The Nations Championship presents an exciting challenge for this group. We will face strong opposition in demanding environments, with extensive travel, and changes in climate all testing the squad throughout the tournament.

“I am sure by preparing well and continuing to demand the highest standards from one another every day, we will be well placed to meet the challenge of a very demanding summer schedule.”

The full closure order will apply at the home at Kempston Gardens in Halliwell after police officers gathered evidence from the community about their concerns.

Police and council officers say that people living nearby have been badly impacted by alleged criminal activity but that their raising their concerns has paid off.

Halliwell’s Cllr Rabiya Jiva said: “There were a lot of concerns raised about this property.

“I know that sometimes for communities it can feel like things aren’t happening but we need to work together with our partners, with the police and with Be One Homes to make sure we get results.

Cllr Rabiya Jiva speaking at a meeting with police officers, council officials and members of the public (Image: Newsquest)

“I have requested that this property is now marked up as being for a sensitive let to make sure that these concerns are not a problem in future.”

She added: “These things can take time, they do not happen with the flip of a switch, but we have to follow the legal procedures, and I would like to thank all the residents who have raised this.”

Greater Manchester Police say that they worked together with the council and with Be One Homes to build a “robust case” to shut the flat down.

Sergeant Zach Keneally, from the Bolton Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a devastating impact on our communities. We have listened to residents across Halliwell and taken action to address these issues.

“This closure order sends a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated and we will work tirelessly to keep our neighbourhoods safe.

Kempston Gardens has long been a cause of concern (Image: Phil Taylor)

“I urge anyone who may have concerns about anti-social behaviour or criminality in their area to please speak with us.

“Your reports are incredibly important to us and the work we do, and it is thanks to the support of local residents that we are able to conduct positive work for our communities.”

Bolton Council says that action like this shows the value of working closely with partner organisations.

A spokesperson said: “The community safety team at Bolton Council welcomes the successful outcome of this closure order, which demonstrates the strength of partnership working between Bolton Council, Greater Manchester Police and Be One Homes.

“This action sends a clear message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated, and we will continue to work together to protect our communities and ensure residents feel safe in their neighbourhoods.

“We are committed to taking robust action where necessary and supporting those affected by nuisance and disorder.”

Be One Homes, the borough’s largest housing provider, has appealed for anyone else with concerns about properties they run, to report them.

Enforcement manager Gemma Hotchkiss said: “We are committed to working in partnership to address anti-social behaviour and improve the quality of life for our residents.

“This closure order demonstrates the strength of partnership working and our shared determination to take action where individuals are causing harm to the community.

“We will continue to support residents and work closely with Greater Manchester Police and Bolton Council to ensure neighbourhoods remain safe and welcoming places to live.”

Reports can be made by calling Be One Homes on 01204 328000 or online.

Concerns centre on the presence of asbestos on the site and the potential threat to electricity supplies for two Belfast hospitals

Legal attempts to stop a contentious bonfire being lit in south Belfast next month are to be abandoned, the High Court heard today.

Counsel for a local resident confirmed he is no longer seeking a mandatory order for police to prevent this year’s construction close to an electricity substation which powers two hospitals.

However, a wider challenge to the lawfulness of bonfires in general will still be pursued after the summer, it was confirmed.

Loyalist campaigner Jamie Bryson, who has intervened in the case, claimed the development was a “great victory” for those building the pyre in the Village area.

Eleventh night bonfires are traditionally lit in unionist areas as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations.

Judicial review proceedings were initially brought last year against the PSNI and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) over the construction at Meridi Street.

Concerns centre on the presence of asbestos on the site and the potential threat to electricity supplies for the surrounding area, including both Belfast City Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital.

In July 2025, police declined a request from Belfast City Council to assist in dismantling the bonfire believed to pose a risk to public health.

At the time, it was decided that allowing the pyre to be lit would be less risky than trying to remove it.

The resident challenging the bonfire claims it is unlawful due to environmental damage and alleged breaches of climate change legislation.

The PSNI and DAERA have failed to put in place a proper policy or protocol for preventing the construction of illegal bonfires, his lawyers contend.

He was also seeking a judicial order compelling the authorities to take all necessary steps to stop any being built at the site.

But based on a new assessment from the police, the court heard there is no longer an urgent need to deal with the case next week.

Ronan Lavery KC, for the resident, conceded: “It is going to be very difficult for us to convince the court that some kind of mandatory relief should be granted against the PSNI.”

Instead, he stressed, proceedings have now widened out to a challenge against the approach taken to bonfires in general.

“The PSNI’s assessment is they are afraid to enforce law and order in certain areas,” the barrister claimed.

Lawyers representing the authorities under challenge argued there should be finality in the case.

“This matter needs to be brought to some conclusion, it cannot be on a year to year basis,” counsel for the PSNI insisted.

Adjourning the hearing until October, Mr Justice Fowler stressed all issues must be resolved before next year’s bonfire season.

Mr Bryson, who has been granted intervenor status in opposition to the legal challenge, welcomed the decision not to seek an order ahead of this year’s bonfire.

Speaking outside court, he said: “This is a great victory for the Village bonfire, and indeed all bonfires will now proceed without interference in 2026.

“In my view, this was always a wholly misconceived effort, and credit must go to the PSNI in this instance for the approach they adopted in resisting this case.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter .

A four-year-old girl was taken to hospital after an empty car reportedly rolled over her in a car park.

Emergency services were called to the scene near Mimosa Tea Garden at Eastham Country Park in Wirral at around 3.50pm on Saturday.

Officers from Merseyside Police say the vehicle was unattended when the child was hit. The force says the owner of the vehicle remained at the scene and is helping police with their enquiries.

The girl suffered injuries as a result of the incident, but her condition has not been disclosed.

Merseyside Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the car collision and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The force said: ‘We are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision involving a child at a car park in Eastham this afternoon, Saturday 20 June.

‘At around 3.50pm we received a report that a four-year-old girl was injured following an unattended vehicle rolling over her in the car park of Mimosa Tea Garden on Green Lane.

‘Emergency services attended and the child has been taken to hospital to be assessed.

‘The owner of the vehicle remained at the scene and is helping police with their enquiries.

‘An investigation is underway, and we are appealing for anyone who saw the incident to please contact us.

‘Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X or Facebook @MerPolCC quoting log 695 of 20 June.’

Six people responsible for the murder of Joanne Penney who was shot in the heart and killed at point blank range on a doorstep are due to be sentenced today. Her murder was part of a background of “a clash of rival organised crime groups” over drug dealing.

The 40-year-old died after the bullet penetrated her heart and left lung and lodged itself in the rear of her chest. She was pronounced dead at a property in Llys Illtyd, Talbot Green, at around 6.10pm on March 9 last year.

Marcus Huntley, 21, pleaded guilty to murdering Ms Penney and being the person who pulled the trigger.

Jordan Mills-Smith, 34, Joshua Gordon, 28, Kristina Ginova, 22, and Melissa Quailey-Dashper, 40, were found guilty of Joanne Penney’s murder.

Convicted murderer Renaldo Baptiste, 39, was also found guilty or murder, having arranged the murder of Ms Penney from his prison cell. He was convicted of murdering a man in Leicester and was serving a sentence of life in prison with a minimum term of 25 years when he orchestrated the shooting of Ms Penney.

The court heard the background to the killing was a “clash of rival organised crime groups”, one allegedly headed by defendant Joshua Gordon, of the “Rico OCG”.

The court heard the expansion of Gordon’s activities into South Wales, specifically Talbot Green, was “not taken well” by a rival group of drug dealers, lead by Daniel Joseph, known as “Jimmy”.

prosecutor Jonathan Rees KC said during the original trial: “On two occasions in the lead-up to the murder on March 9, 2025, Jimmy and his men had confronted, and humiliated, members of the ‘Rico’ group when they were in the Talbot Green area.”

In the days following, the court heard Huntley, Gordon and Baptiste discussed obtaining a firearm and ammunition to “send a message” to their rivals.

The court heard that on the day of the murder Quailey-Dashper knocked on the front door of 10 Llys Illtyd.

Mr Rees said: “The trigger may have been pulled by Marcus Huntley, but the prosecution’s case is that each of Joshua Gordon, Marcus Huntley, Jordan Mills-Smith, Melissa Quailey-Dashper, Kristina Ginova and Tony Porter, are jointly responsible for her murder.

“They each played their part in the death of Joanna Penney – knowing that they were acting to bring about, or assisting/encouraging others to bring about, at least really serious injury to another person.”

The sentencing hearing of all six defendants is due to take place at Cardiff Crown Court this morning.

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