EastEnders fans have waited 10 long months to have Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) back on the Square permanently, and we’re pleased to report that after her return later this month, she wastes no time in reminding everyone why she is one of Walford’s most formidable women. 

Our Shazza has been much missed since she first left our screens following Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) funeral last April. 

During a temporary return to the Square back in September, she came face-to-face with old nemesis Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), who was one of the women partly responsible for the death of her beloved father Den Watts (Leslie Grantham). 

The pair’s history is also complicated by the fact that Zoe also dated Sharon’s late husband Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman). 

Last year, Zoe turned Sharon’s world upside down when she made the bombshell claim that prior to his death, and while married to Sharon, Dennis got her pregnant with twins, one of which died and the other she abandoned. 

Sharon was absolutely devastated to think that Dennis had cheated on her, but offered to help Zoe find her son, believing he was the last living link to her late husband. 

However, after Sharon later departed Walford again, it was revealed that Zoe had lied about her child’s paternity, with it later revealed that Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey) was in fact the father. 

With events leading to the discovery that Zoe’s daughter actually survived and was none other than Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness), Zoe’s son Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan) was also found and is now living on the Square. 

Next week, Sharon and Zoe lock horns yet again, and Sharon gives us another epic showdown as she confronts her about her devastating lies. 

As tensions boil between the women, Jasmine and Josh try to diffuse the escalating situation by vouching for their mum. 

After things cool off, Zoe later attempts to apologise to Sharon, but it’s clear she is in no mood for forgiveness. 

Meanwhile, Sharon also stirs things up for her ex-husband Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) when she reveals her intent to sell her half of their Boxing Den business. 

But with unresolved feelings between the pair, how will he react?

EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 13th July at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer. 

A tent was put up close to Portland Street with the pavement also sealed off

Police taped off an area in Piccadilly Gardens on Monday night (July 6) with a blue tent also erected at the scene. A large police presence was seen in the city centre following an incident.

A number of police cars were stationed at the junction between Piccadilly and Portland Street. Police tape was seen to stretch over the pavement with officers manning the cordon.

A blue evidence tent was also erected beside the Ask Italian restaurant with a white car parked in the road. It is not clear if the vehicle was involved.

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One witness told the M.E.N: “There were three police cars and a white car that I could see. It was blocked off between Lever Street and Piccadilly in front of Wetherspoons and Popeyes.” The nature of the incident has not yet been confirmed.

The incident also sparked speculation on social media, as one person posted on Reddit: “Anyone know what’s happened? Police tape and forensic tents up.”

No details have yet been confirmed by Greater Manchester Police. The force was approached for details by the Manchester Evening News.

By QUENTIN LETTS, PARLIAMENTARY SKETCHWRITER

Published: 23:55 BST, 6 July 2026 | Updated: 02:54 BST, 7 July 2026

You expect someone called Samantha to be exciting. Even a bit va-va-voom. Samantha Fox, Samantha Cameron, Samantha the scoreboard assistant on Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue.

Samantha Dixon corrects this theory. Mrs Dixon, 60, is a local government minister. On Monday she entered the Commons to make a statement about the Independent Review into Countering Foreign Financial Influence and Interference in UK Politics.

If you find that title unexciting, wait till you hear Mrs Dixon. The unofficial name of this government-commissioned report was the ‘Stuff Nigel Farage Review’. Whitehall considers that formulation a little coarse but everyone in Westminster knows what is afoot here. Labour is cross that Reform and Mr Farage attracted loot from abroad. The Starmer Government therefore decided to take unilateral action where politicians normally wait for agreement across the parties. New limits will apply to foreign-based donors (i.e. Christopher Harborne, Thailand-based crypto moneybags who gave Mr Farage £5million).

The review was written by Philip Rycroft, a former civil servant who once led the department for exiting the European Union. He has since come out as a Rejoiner. Not a chap you would necessarily expect to find at a Reform UK rally.

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The Commons statement could have been given by Steve Reed, secretary of state for such matters, but Mrs Dixon was considered more suitable. Mr Reed is one of life’s bantams. Fighty little fellow. Can’t help himself. If the Blob was going to do a number on Nigel, it were better done by a bore. Enter Mrs Dixon.

She would be the suet in any pudding, the hole to toad. Like the overalls worn by modern racing drivers, Mrs Dixon, pictured, is designed not to burst into flames. She possesses a level voice that seldom rises above a murmur. Her steel-grey bob, Tootsie-style spectacles and sober garb – receptionist at the better sort of funeral home – scream placidity.

Local government minister Samantha Dixon made a statement in the Commons about the Independent Review into Countering Foreign Financial Influence and Interference in UK Politics

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Richard Tice took an exuberant, galloping tilt at Mrs Dixon, yelling that ‘Labour will stop at nothing to stop the rise of Reform’

You could stick her on GB News and within moments she would calm that television station’s throbbing revolutionaries. Her hobby is knitting. Had she only been around in French Revolution days, she would have brought tranquility to the tricoteuses who sat below the guillotine. A few hours with this Samantha and they would have toddled off home for a nice cup of tea and a piece of lemon drizzle.

Mrs Dixon, in her modulated, anger-management tones, told the House the Government would ‘take the policy forward’ and discuss law enforcement aspects with ‘our policing partners’.

‘We will work at pace,’ she droned repeatedly. ‘We are taking robust action to tighten enforcement rules.’ Crypto donations were going to come under particular scrutiny. Translation: ‘We will feel the collar of any rich Rightie such as Christopher Harborne who tries to slip Nigel’s lot a few million jimmies by the back door.’

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The Conservative front bench welcomed the Rycroft review – Tories are no keener than Labour on Mr Farage’s sumptuous donations – but did mutter that the changes should have secured cross-party agreement. ‘It’ll come back to bite you!’ heckled Damian Hinds (Con, East Hants). If any future Right-wing government passed a law outlawing trade union donations to political parties, Labour could no longer wail about protocol being broken.

Andrew Murrison (Con, SW Wilts) said he wasn’t an apologist for Reform but the proposals looked ‘very much like a stitch-up which does none of any good’. Mrs Dixon bloodlessly said she did ‘not accept his characterisation’.

Richard Tice (Ref, Boston & Skegness) rewarded Dr Murrison with hearty hear-hears and soon took an exuberant, galloping tilt at Mrs Dixon. ‘Well, well!’ he yelled, ‘Labour will stop at nothing to stop the rise of Reform’.

He proceeded to mention a Cayman Isles firm that, he said, gave Labour four million smackers. The unions gave Labour £27million, too. ‘Hypocrites!’ bellowed Mr Tice bouncing on his seat.

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Mrs Dixon, the living antidote to populism, opened her lips a cautious inch and emitted a few windless words.

It turns out Donald Trump was worried about the wrong striker. In an extraordinary intervention that cast a long shadow over the biggest game in US soccer history, the president had lobbied FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to allow the suspended Folarin Balogun to face Belgium.

How much influence that call had, we may never know. In the end, though, it made little difference. Because, even though Balogun was controversially cleared to play, it was Belgian striker Charles De Ketelaere who decided this World Cup showdown. The 25-year-old scored two goals and helped create another as Belgium broke American hearts and shattered the co-hosts’ World Cup dreams in the round of 16. 

De Ketelaere was given a huge helping hand by Mauricio Pochettino‘s players who, after weeks of promise and brilliance, put in a calamitous display. Balogun drew a blank before Romelu Lukaku profited from a final defensive lapse to seal a 4-1 win. What a dismal end to a magical few weeks. Good luck overturning this one, Mr President.

Perhaps there won’t be much sympathy elsewhere – amid all the chaos and confusion in the lead up to this game, there was plenty of fury too. Fury that Trump would stick his oar in. Fury that FIFA allowed Balogun to play at barely 24 hours’ notice. Fury that the lines between politics and sport had now become more entangled than at perhaps any point in modern history.

But that was not the fault of Balogun or the rest of Pochettino’s players. Who knows how much they had been affected by the mayhem of the recent days? They certainly looked distracted and drained over these 90 minutes.

Infantino – watching from the posh seats in Seattle alongside the likes of Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos and Markwayne Mullin – may not survive this scandal. But De Ketelaere ensured, if only for a while, that this World Cup saga did not escalate even further. It will be Belgium who face Spain in the quarterfinals.

The third Belgium goal came after a humiliating error from USA goalkeeper Matt Freese (24)

Folarin Balogun was selected to start after his one-game ban was suspended by FIFA

Donald Trump called Gianni Infantino to ask him about the one-match ban given to Balogun

For the uninitiated, a brief timeline: Balogun, the US’ leading scorer at this World Cup, was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32. It looked a very harsh decision but FIFA rules prevented an appeal. And then on Sunday, FIFA announced out of nowhere that Balogun’s one-game ban had been suspended. Before long, it emerged that Trump had waded in. All hell then broke loose.

Belgium were left furious but Balogun was finally cleared to play just hours before kickoff, after FIFA rejected their appeal. Belgium threatened possible legal action if the striker played. He did. But he was powerless to prevent the USA from collapsing to defeat here.

Instead? De Ketelaere scored twice in the first half – either side of Malik Tillman’s freekick – before USA goalkeeper Matt Freese gifted Belgium a third goal with a comical error and Chris Richards’ mistake allowed Lukaku to make it four late on. 

With that, nearly 70,000 fans in Seattle were silenced and millions of dreams were shattered. On the bench, Christian Pulisic appeared to be in tears after coming off. Penny for the thoughts of the president.

There were still two hours until kickoff in Seattle when thousands of US fans began a slow, deafening march toward Lumen Field. They brought flares and flags and drums. They held up signs of John Denver and Folarin Balogun, one of which carried an image of the striker along with the caption: ‘Land Of The Free’

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were among the star-studded crowd at the Seattle Stadium

Mauricio Pochettino consoles a devastated Chris Richards following the defeat in Seattle

De Ketelaere celebrates after giving Belgium the lead in the round-of-16 clash in Seattle

As the procession headed down Western Avenue, people lined the streets. Others gathered on balconies, bridges and on the roof of a parking garage. Among the huge crowds was a key figure within US soccer who stopped for a quick chat. They were unequivocal: Trump’s call to Infantino made no difference in FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s ban. They might be right. US Soccer led the fight; FIFA insisted its judicial bodies are ‘independent’ and ‘operate autonomously’.

But, by then, the die had been cast, the waters had been muddied and this World Cup had been plunged into chaos. Acolytes around the White House rushed to credit the president, big names across soccer voiced their fury. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia compared the decision to an April Fools’ joke, even Balogun’s dad insisted ‘politics should not interfere in sport’ in an interview with the Daily Mail.

So much of this nonsense could have been avoided had FIFA rules allowed the USMNT to appeal Balogun’s red card. Or had FIFA just explained why his ban had been suspended.

Instead? Confusion abounded and Infantino sat in the stands facing allegations of political interference and favoritism. But, more important than one man and his ludicrous grip on this sport, an amazing story had been blotted. What did Pochettino and his players do to deserve this? Over their first four games, they had played magnificently, capturing the hearts of millions around this country.

Under-fire FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among the sold-out crowd on Monday night

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USA’s players huddle on the field to hear from coach Pochettino after being dumped out

Now, through no fault of their own, they had been swept up in scandal. Pochettino was desperate to prevent his team being dragged into politics or any wider controversy. He succeeded until Trump picked up the phone.

Somehow, by the time the two teams emerged on to the field on Monday night, less than 36 hours had passed since Balogun and Co boarded the team bus for training, unaware they were driving into the eye of a storm.

The atmosphere inside Lumen Field had reached boiling point. Within 10 minutes, however, so much of the noise and energy had been sucked out of this place. Credit Belgium for that. 

Almost immediately, Freese was forced into a save by Timothy Castagne. Then Youri Tielemans missed a glorious chance. And then three USMNT players failed to deal with a looping ball inside their own area, allowing Nicolas Raskin to gather it and put it on a plate for De Ketelaere. The defending was woeful.

Malik Tillman’s deflected freekick brought the US level, only for Belgium to score minutes later

USA goalkeeper Freese reacts after a calamitous error to gift Belgium a third goal in Seattle

The crowd was stunned into silence, Pochettino’s players were all over the place. It took the US half an hour to create a chance. Inevitably, Balogun played his part – winning a foul in a dangerous area and then whipping up the crowd. Moments later, Tillman’s freekick was deflected past Thibaut Courtois.

His set piece against Bosnia and Herzegovina had sealed the US’ place in the last 16. This gave Pochettino’s team liftoff once more. Alas, America was level for less than two minutes before Leandro Trossard crossed for De Ketelaere to score again.

Pochettino vented his frustration by kicking water bottles near the bench and the manager’s mood did not improve when, shortly before halftime, the ball dropped to Balogun a few yards out, only for the striker to fire over the bar.

Balogun missed another opportunity late on. By then, though this game had gone. Poor Freese. The goalkeeper initially did well to come out to collect a long ball ahead of De Ketelaere. But then he dithered for half a second too long, allowing the Belgian forward to deflect the ball to Hans Vanaken who, from around 35 yards, curled the ball past Freese and Tim Ream and into the net. Then Lukaku rubbed salt in American wounds.

People have been told to not give their dog into trouble

Leading veterinary charity, PDSA, is urging pet owners to learn how to spot the signs of stress in their pets, as they could mistake it for being a bad dog.

Thousands of dogs bark, jump and race to the door the moment the post arrives. But according to the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), what many owners may see as “naughty” behaviour is often linked to stress.

As part of Dog Awareness Week 2026, running until July 10, PDSA is encouraging pet owners to take up simple reward-based training to help dogs stay calm, reduce stress and even lower the risk of biting.

PDSA Vet Nurse Shauna Walsh said: “Dogs often see the front door as part of their territory, so when someone arrives unexpectedly, their instinct is to investigate or alert their family. While this behaviour is completely normal, it can quickly become stressful for both dogs and pet owners if it gets out of hand, and in some extreme cases can even lead to a dog biting.”

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Many dogs unknowingly rehearse the same behaviour every single day. “From your dog’s perspective, barking works. The post person arrives, your dog barks, and then the post person leaves. Your dog may genuinely believe they’ve chased the visitor away, which reinforces the behaviour every time it happens”, the expert adds.

Bad or stressed?

The charity highlights that barking is not always a sign of excitement. It can also be a sign that a pet is struggling. PDSA recommends that you also look out for these signs in your dog:

• Excessive barking or jumping up
• Pacing and panting
• Whining, trembling, or hiding away
• Ears pinned back
• Difficulty settling after visitors leave

Shauna added: “Punishing a dog for barking is likely to make the situation worse because they’re often already feeling worried or overwhelmed. Rewarding calm behaviour is far more effective and helps build your dog’s confidence.

“Most dogs can learn to stay calm when the doorbell rings, but it takes patience and practice. Teaching an alternative behaviour and rewarding calm responses can make postal deliveries and visitors arriving much less stressful for everyone.”

If a dog shows signs of severe distress when someone comes to the door, or if training doesn’t seem to be helping, PDSA recommends consulting a vet.

Do this when your dog barks

Rather than telling dogs off, PDSA suggests that pet owners should teach them a new routine: “Instead of focusing on stopping the barking, teach your dog what you’d like them to do instead. For example, training them to go to their bed or mat when the doorbell rings gives them a clear job, helps them feel secure and makes answering the door much calmer for everyone.”

It also suggests practising with recorded doorbell sounds or loud knocks before moving on to real visitors and giving your dog a stuffed food toy, puzzle feeder, or safe chew while you answer the door.

Always remember to reward them whenever they choose to relax on their bed or mat. Never shout or punish barking, as this can increase the dog’s fear and excitement – keep training short, positive, and consistent.

Dog’s Trust warning

Experts at Dogs Trust warn that ignoring or discouraging these early warning signs can teach a dog that subtle signals of fear don’t work. As a result, they may feel they have no option but to escalate their behaviour next time, potentially to lunging or biting.

It explains: “If your dog shows any signs of aggression, avoid the triggers for that behaviour as much as possible. This might mean keeping your dog completely away from whatever appears to be making them feel uncomfortable. Then seek help from your vet or a qualified behaviourist as soon as possible.

“Pain and medical disorders can affect your dog’s behaviour. If your dog shows signs of being fearful, speak to your vet to check if there are no underlying health problems that might be contributing to their behaviour.

“If the vet finds that your dog is in good health, then ask for a referral to an accredited behaviourist for individual support.”

FA chiefs are “considering their options” over Jarell Quansah’s red card, reports John Cross.

The England defender was sent off against Mexico which puts him out of Saturday’s quarter final against Norway.

There is no direct appeal process in this World Cup even though England boss Thomas Tuchel was unhappy with the sending-off.

However, the FA have seen Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban get suspended for 12 months after US president Donald Trump’s intervention.

England would have to present a case or grounds for the suspension to be overturned which would have been remote until FIFA got involved in US star Balogun’s case.

But now the door has been opened for other nations to do similar and that is why the FA are thinking about taking further steps.

Cambridge locals could get a taste of its award-winning food if approved

A Cambridgeshire city centre could see an award-winning restaurant chain open a new store. The Beefy Boys Holdings Ltd has submitted an application to Cambridge City Council to change the use of a former bar on Bene’t Street in Cambridge into a new restaurant.

The site, on 15 Bene’t Street, forms part of the Grade II listed Barclay’s Bank. It was last used as a bar offering food by Brewdog, but has been vacant since March 2026.

The Beefy Boys opened its first restaurant in Hereford in 2015, before opening a second site in Shrewsbury in 2021 and a third site in Cheltenham in 2023. It also hosts sites in other locations including Oxford and Nottingham.

Now, Cambridge locals could get a taste of its award-winning burgers. The burger chain has won both Signature Burger and Burger Chef of the Year at The National Burger Awards.

The applicants said the new restaurant will “serve as a meeting place for local people and visitors” and will provide a “suitable alternative facility to the existing use”.

The application states it would provide a “high quality restaurant”, enhance the “vitality and viability of this part of Cambridge City Centre” and help to “secure the future up keep of the Grade II Listed building”.

The building’s existing use permits opening hours between 11am and midnight between Sunday and Thursday and between 11am and 12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays. It is close to a range of existing pubs and restaurants including The Eagle, The Bath House and Pint Shop.

The Beefy Boys Holdings Ltd said these hours are “considered suitable for the proposed use”, but there is considered to be no concerns is earlier hours from 8am were permitted to allow “flexibility for a future use”, they said.

Alongside a change of use request, the applicant has asked for Listed Building Consent for works to the building including internal changes and new signage.

The Moon continues through Aries and Neptune enters its yearly five-month retrograde in the same sign. You could gain clarity today.

Cancer, Leo and Virgo, a much needed reality check will hit you. Success is still on the cards, just with some added realism.

Think through all the options. Mindfullness will come easily, so take time to reflect.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Tuesday July 7, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

The Moon continues its journey through your sign today and can heighten your sensitivity to the atmosphere around you. And with dreamy Neptune entering its annual five-month retrograde in Aries, you can find yourself questioning some past assumptions. If something has felt uncertain of late, give yourself gentle permission to let the answers gradually emerge.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Over the last year, your interest in healing and personal development may have increased, or perhaps you’ve found moments of complete peace and quiet more appealing. Yet if you’ve been carrying any emotional burdens from the past, as Neptune, the planet that governs these areas, rewinds, you may find yourself more attuned to releasing what no longer serves.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Friends who appreciate the creative side of life have called out to you a lot this year so far, Gemini. However, as much as this may have been enjoyable and gratifying at times, if someone has proved unreliable or a little bit too caught up in their own situation, you may feel a greater need to step back and focus on what’s important to you, and understandably so.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Neptune’s retrograde in the worldliest sector of your chart can see you refine your expectations over the next five months. Success is still possible, but you may need to be more connected to your soul purpose rather than being motivated based purely on status, the money you earn, or the professional prestige that your position may bring you Cancer.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

Knowledge comes in so many guises. It can be through hard-earned academic study, professional development, worldly experience, or on-the-job learning. How do you feel about what you know, and do you celebrate it or doubt it? Also, appreciate your instinctive insights, but it is important to see all of your talents in the round rather than piecemeal.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Financial matters, shared resources, or an emotional issue may require extra reflection. Neptune’s retrograde encourages you to trust the process and allow deeper truths to come up. This may not happen right away, either Virgo, and then again, should things emerge, applying your usual logic and precision may not be the only way to view them.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Neptune’s influence can blur boundaries around relationships, whilst Saturn nudges you to reinforce them. Both are in Aries, your opposite sign, so both themes are possible over the next two years. Even if you view someone differently from how you once did, be mindful that their circumstances may have changed, which is why you’ve been getting mixed signals.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

You are being pushed to be more virtuous with exercise, diet, nutrition, and rest. If you’ve embraced the challenge, the changes you have made and can make, can spur you on. As Neptune inverts for five months, if your willpower has wobbled at times, you may need to dig deep to ensure that you keep the discipline going. Yearn for a pet? It may be harder to resist!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

You can be one of the most creative members of the zodiac, but all talents need structure and discipline, and your freedom-loving credentials and mutable nature can test this at times. Yet if there are old talents, flair, and artistry that have lain dormant, for the next five months, you may find a new burst of inner desire to manifest and showcase them, Sagittarius, and you can.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

With your ruler, Saturn and the nebulous Neptune in the part of your chart concerning home, family, and your inner emotional world, they bring different opportunities and tests. And with the mystical Neptune rewinding now, it will be important in the months ahead to double-check some of your assumptions about those in your family or close network.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

As an air sign, how you think and communicate is at the heart of your being. The intriguing thing is that you may be able to bring more nuance and subtlety to your conversations and writing from now on. However, there may be times when the usual clarity you possess may be impacted by the beguiling Neptune’s about turn. Just check that people get your meaning.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

As Neptune, your modern ruler, begins its annual retrograde, you may become more aware of what truly matters to you. This can be especially noticeable when it comes to financial priorities and personal values. If something no longer feels aligned with your deeper beliefs, adjustments can follow. Trust your instincts yet give important decisions time to become clear.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of July here.

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The Chetham Arms in Chapeltown was constructed in 1746 on the site of an even older alehouse, going up less than a year after Bonnie Prince Charlie marched his Jacobite forces through the surrounding area during his failed revolt against the British Government.

Starting out in this turbulent point in Lancashire’s history, the high street pub traded as ‘The Black Bull’ for the first seven decades of its existence, but received its current name in 1823 after its landlord decided to name it after the man who built it, Humphrey Chetham.

However, with this ancient boozer continuing to serve local patrons well into its third century, its current owners are looking to make some noticeable changes to the outside of the old sandstone building.

The changes to the Chetham Arms will modernise the windows, but restore something of the building’s old appearance (Image: Blackburn with Darwen Council)

 Unlike other changes made in its long history, including the removal of the village’s stocks where criminals would be punished in full view of pubgoers, these changes should be more subtle

That is because all 17 of its external single-glazed windows are set for an update. Though, the owners say this should somewhat restore the building to its original appearance.

When these openings were last replaced, the framing used did not match up with the more narrow window frames previously used.

The pub’s owners say in their application to Blackburn with Darwen Council: “The opening windows have quite thick wooden frames and look out of character.

“All windows are currently single glazed and some are cracked. Our purpose is twofold – to upgrade with narrow framed double glazing and to do so in a way that gets closer to the original appearance.”

These 17 new windows, if approved for installation by Blackburn with Darwen Council, will retain the same layout as they have in previous centuries, but with the added benefit of double glazing and thinner timber frames to better match its historic appearance.

Known as the ‘no body murder’, Julie Buckley was killed by Karl Hutchings in 2025

A murderer gave police a map showing where a woman was buried after months of no body being found, a court has heard. Known as the “no body murder”, a murder investigation was launched into Julie Buckley, 55, after she went missing in January 2025.

Karl Hutchings, 48, admitted to killing Julie on September 15, 2025. Her body wasn’t found for months.

However, her remains were later found in 10 pieces in a shallow grave in Wimblington after Hutchings told police, prosecutor Christine Agnew KC said at Cambridge Crown Court today (Monday, July 6).

After Hutchings admitted to the killing, he provided police with a map of where her body was. The prosecutor said Julie and Hutchings had been “friends who had spent some time together – they were both addicted to class A drugs”.

Buckley, who had been staying with Hutchings at his home in Christchurch, was last seen alive on CCTV footage at a Budgens supermarket in March on January 28. Concerns were raised for her welfare after she failed to attend appointments.

Ms Agnew told the court it appeared Julie had been murdered between January 29 and the morning of January 30. The prosecutor added that Julie’s phone was used on January 29.

She added that at 8.41am on January 30, Hutchings attended a One Stop shop and used Julie’s bank card to buy alcohol. The prosecutor added that he later sold Julie’s car for £500.

Hutchings, who initially denied murder, told a teacher at HMP Peterborough that he had “waited it out” before pleading guilty as he “hoped he could be dealt with on a diminished basis”, added the prosecutor.

Hutchings also told the teacher he killed Julie “because she had been stealing from him and had tried to convince him he was mad”. The prosecutor then said Hutchings told the teacher he hit Julie with a hammer to her head which “made her woozy”.

Ms Agnew added: “He hit her over the head again which finished her off”. A post-mortem confirmed Julie suffered 11 blows to her skull.

Hutchings was arrested on February 13, 2025 and “extensive blood staining” was found on a sofa at his home, part of the living room carpet was missing and there were burnt items in the garden.

Alison Summers, defence for Hutchings, said he had a “long history of mental health problems and significant drug addiction”. She said Julie had been homeless and Hutchings “felt sorry for her”, so he offered her a place to stay.

She added that the “precise trigger and exact sequence (of what happened) may never be known with any degree of certainty”. However, the defence said it was “likely to have started spontaneously when Hutchings lost it and began striking Ms Buckley”.

Ms Summers said Hutchings had been released from a psychiatric unit less than three months before the murder. She added that he pleaded guilty after he was advised that a psychiatric report did not support a medical defence of diminished responsibility.

Judge Mark Bishop adjourned the case to Thursday (July 9) where Hutchings will be sentenced.