Emma Raducanu has suffered yet another blow with Wimbledon due to get underway at the end of June

Emma Raducanu’s concerning run of form has persisted after she was knocked out of the French Open in the opening round. The British No.1 has also slipped two positions in the world rankings to 39 as uncertainty lingers over whether the struggling star will even be seeded for Wimbledon this summer.

The 23-year-old was competing in only her second match since returning from illness which kept her out for more than two months. Yet, her time at Roland Garros proved brief as she was defeated by world No. 68 Solana Sierra.

Raducanu surrendered the opening set in merely 25 minutes, racking up 15 unforced errors. She mounted a fightback in the second set after trailing 1-4, but ultimately fell short in a tiebreak.

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It has been a year of peaks and troughs for Raducanu, whose pre-season preparations were disrupted by a foot injury, before the virus emerged in February.

She exited in the second round of the Australian Open but did progress to the singles final at the Transylvania Open where she was defeated in straight sets by Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.

To secure seeding at Wimbledon, a player must be positioned within the top 32 players globally in their respective Tour rankings. With Raducanu presently outside that bracket, it appears probable she will miss out on being seeded for SW19, which commences at the end of the month.

Speaking after her defeat in Paris, an emotional Raducanu said: “I can’t really explain it right now. I haven’t processed it fully. I think it was really difficult. I went on the court. I felt like the conditions were extremely lively, and I felt like I wasn’t able to kind of trust my shots in that and didn’t feel like I had control over the ball.

“It was just a really difficult kind of setup for me to step into, I think, having not had many matches. I think probably just a bit light on matches, a bit light on confidence coming into the tournament.

“Yeah, the first set happened super quickly, and it’s not a nice feeling when the points and the games are going, like, very, very fast. I’m glad at least in the second set I was able to kind of get a few games on the board.”

Raducanu had returned to action in Strasbourg earlier this week, losing her opening match to Diane Parry in two-and-a-half hours. There had been speculation over whether she would bypass the clay season entirely and concentrate on grass, but she believes her two defeats will prove worthwhile.

“I think it will help me,” she said. “I think I haven’t played matches and it’s obviously very difficult coming in not having had any matches, you know, towards the back end of the clay season and these girls having tournament after tournament of confidence and wins. So I think that was pretty tricky for me.”

Raducanu will now shift her focus to the grass-court season. She is expected to continue working alongside coach Andrew Richardson, who steered her to her remarkable US Open triumph in 2018, and was brought back on board by Raducanu earlier this month.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

Comedy series Piglets was broadcast on ITV1 in July 2024, with a second series following on ITV2 in January earlier this year.

However, now the show has been axed, after a disappointing outing for the second series.

ITV confirms it has ‘no plans’ for new series of Piglets

A spokesperson for ITV told Newsquest: “There are currently no plans for a third series of Piglets.

“We would like to thank all the cast and crew for their hard work in bringing these unforgettable characters and stories alive on screen.

“Viewers can watch the adventures from series 1 and 2 by streaming all episodes on ITVX.”

The comedy series was written by Green Wing creator Victoria Pile and is set in a police training college.

It starred comedy veterans Mark Heap and Sarah Parish, who played superintendents overseeing a new intake of budding officers.

Reports say that there was “great hope for Piglets when it was first released and even though the response to the debut series was mixed, bosses believed it deserved a follow-up”, an insider told The Sun.

They added: “But unfortunately, the second series didn’t set the world alight — which made it even harder for ITV to give it another chance.”

The series also had some controversy, with it being criticised over its “highly offensive” title, which is based on “pig”, the slang term for police officers.

Officials for the Police Federation of England and Wales said that the name was “insulting” and “inflammatory”.

ITV’s 7 Up series to conclude in 2026 after 62 years

The news comes as another classic ITV series is set to end this year after more than six decades.

Referred to as the Up series, it began back in 1964 with 7 Up, which follows the lives of ten boys and four girls in England when they were seven years old, and has followed up with them every seven years.

The series has been produced by Granada Television for ITV, which has aired all of the films except 42 Up, which was broadcast on BBC One.

The final film, called 70 Up, will join the participants for the last time as they reflect on their triumphs, trials and tribulations and what happened to their hopes and dreams.

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Jo Clinton-Davis, controller of factual ITV and commissioner of 70 Up said: “The 7 Up story is much more than a TV documentary, it’s a document of our times.

“A truly distinctive landmark piece of film-making that has become part of our cultural fabric.

“In the evolving stories of our cast we see the universal themes of life play out. It is the series that made me want to get into television.”

What is your favourite ITV series? Let us know in the comments.

“It’s a death trap and it’s very worrying. I got the car in the middle of November last year and from day one it’s been a catalogue of problems.”

A disabled man has this week branded his motability vehicle a “death trap.”

Now David Hutchison is pleading with the Park’s Renault dealership he bought it from to get him safely motoring again.

David, 67, says he’s lost confidence in his 75 plate Renault Captur automatic.

And he’s already had two prangs when cruise control activated as soon as he took his foot off the brake.

And on another occasion David was in the driver’s seat when the car cut out completely going along a stretch of road.

Mr Hutchison, from Tarbolton, claims the car is plagued with a series of faults that have rendered the hybrid vehicle ‘unsafe.’

But alleges he’s been met with little after-sales support from the Park’s Renault dealership in Ayr that he bought it from.

The electric wheelchair user said: “It’s a death trap and it’s very worrying. I got the car in the middle of November last year and from day one it’s been a catalogue of problems.”

David’s first red flag was with electronic glitches on the sensor display, which come on and off periodically.

He returned the vehicle to the dealership for examination and was later given the green light, but he claims the original problems still exist.

“I was on the Galston to Sandyford road and the car just stopped dead,” he revealed.

“I have had no success with the dealership whatsoever. There’s no such thing as after-sales. In six months I’ve only been in the car 10 times because I just don’t feel safe in it.”

David, a retired electronics design engineer, also claims the car inexplicably lurches forward without warning and claims the cruise control comes on by itself while parking.

He said: “I contacted the Renault garage in Ayr and they have had a look and did diagnose some faults but they wouldn’t disclose where they were, which I found strange.

“The car’s got a year’s warranty but the bottom line is I just don’t trust the vehicle and it should not be lurching forward in the way it has been.”

David had suffered two prangs in the car, the first of which has left him out of pocket with the insurers due to excess costs.

And his second incident has also left him picking up the pieces, claiming the original fault in the car still hasn’t been addressed.

David is seeking his money back, or a replacement or a full investigation into the issues he’s experiencing.

He added: “I just want a car I can drive, I just want a car that’s safe.”

Ayrshire Live did not receive a response from Park’s Renault Ayr, or from their head office in Hamilton.

The popular ITV soaps have often been moved or axed from the schedule due to football matches, with next week no different.

Here’s what the changes are and which episodes the TV schedule shakeup affects.

Emmerdale and Coronation Street to see schedule change next week

Both Emmerdale and Corrie are set to be taken off air on Friday, June 5, due to the women’s football.

England is set to play Spain for a spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Due to live coverage of the World Cup qualifier on ITV1 during 8pm and 9pm, it crosses over into the soap slots.

Both usually air back-to-back in a soap “power hour” each weeknight, with Emmerdale from 8pm to 8.30pm followed by Corrie from 8.30pm to 9pm.

It is not yet known when the episodes will air, such as being moved to the weekend, or if there will be one fewer episode for the week.

It is not the first time this year Emmerdale and Corrie have both had schedule changes due to sport.

The soaps were moved to a weekend in March due to the England v Uruguay match.

A previous England vs Spain qualifier in April also saw schedule changes for both ITV soaps.

Coronation Street star returning after 23 years

While fans may be frustrated at the schedule changes, many may be excited due to a returning face after more than two decades.

Jake Parry, who originally played Simon Barlow on the ITV soap in 2003 alongside his twin brother Oscar, will make his comeback in a new role 23 years later.

He revealed the news in a TikTok post, sharing a brief clip from the show and writing: “Coronation Street trailer.

“Catch me as DAMO next week.”

Although Mr Parry’s return marks a return to the famous Weatherfield set, he has been clear that he will be playing a new character.

Mr Parry and his brother Oscar portrayed Simon Barlow from July to November 2003, though Daniel Whelan briefly took over the role for episodes aired in September that year.

Simon Barlow has since become a long-running character on the soap, most recently played by actor Alex Bain.

Mr Parry’s new character, Damo, is described in soap spoilers as a “young man,” though further details about the role remain under wraps.

Emmerdale and Coronation Street air live on ITV1 on weeknights at 8pm and 8.30pm, and are also available on ITVX.

Who is your favourite character on Emmerdale and/or Coronation Street? Let us know in the comments.

From booking an eye test to choosing frames, the focus is on simplicity, convenience and eye care expertise, so that customers feel looked after, every step of the way.

The Bolton team is proud to welcome the local community into the new store.

“Since opening our Boots Opticians store inside Morrisons, it’s been clear how much customers value having eye care in such a convenient location. Being part of a place people already visit regularly has made it much easier for them to fit eye tests into busy lives.

(Image: Boots Opticians)

“Our team has really enjoyed welcoming customers into the store – whether they’re booking an eye test, asking for advice or choosing new frames. We’re proud of the service we’re offering and are pleased to now be a familiar part of the Bolton community.” – Emma Hood, store manager, Boots Opticians Bolton

What you’ll find in the new Bolton store

The new Boots Opticians store has been designed to provide a reassuring environment, where you can access expert eye care in a convenient location.

• Easy and convenient booking

• A bright, contemporary layout to make visits smooth and stress-free

• Expert care and advice from fully trained optometrists and optical advisors

• Personal help in finding the right eyewear for you from a range of frames, contact lenses, lenses and accessories

(Image: Boots Opticians)

More choice, more care

• A wide range of frames – from everyday essentials to designer styles, plus lenses for screen use, driving and sport

• Advanced eye tests are available for all the family that not only check your sight, but can also help spot signs of wider health conditions

• Offers available: £10 eye test and £30 off when you spend £100*

Book your eye test today

Getting started is easy:

• Online: visit bootsopticians.com/book

• In-store: visit Boots Opticians inside Morrisons on Blackhorse Street, Bolton

• By phone: call 0345 125 3752 (calls charged at local rates. Please check with your provider as rates may vary. Calls from mobiles may be higher)

* £30 off when you spend £100:

Discount applied when you spend £100 or more on a complete pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses. Excludes non-prescription sunglasses, ready-made reading glasses and safety eyewear. First pair only. Can be used with our half price additional pairs offer, but not in conjunction with any other offer or discount on glasses or sunglasses. Offer ends 31/08/2026. Only available at Boots Opticians inside Morrisons Bolton only.

£10 eye test: Receive a discount of £19.95 when you purchase our Essential eye test. For NHS entitled to a free eye test, discount can be applied to an upgrade to our Advanced eye test. New bookings only. Essential eye test charge in Boots Opticians is £29.95. Offer ends 30/04/2027. Only available at Boots Opticians inside Morrisons Bolton only.

As Scotland’s highest-profile criminal investigation concludes, the Record looks back at some of the key moments from the incredible case.

It was the criminal investigation that rocked Scottish politics to its foundations.

Operation Branchform was launched almost five years ago after complaints were made about hundreds of thousands of pounds donated to the SNP were ultimately spent.

The probe bubbled along before exploding into the public consciousness in April 2023 following the decision to search the suburban Glasgow family home belonging to Peter Murrell, the former long-serving SNP chief executive, and Nicola Sturgeon.

It was perhaps the most dramatic moment of a police investigation that took several years to reach trial and cost more than £2 million to the taxpayer.

Sturgeon would be questioned by detectives but was later cleared of any involvement. Murrell, her now estranged husband, would go on to plead guilty to embezzlement.

But how did we get here?

March 2017

Nicola Sturgeon announces the SNP will push for a second referendum on independence following the 2016 Brexit vote. The party launches a #ScotRef fundraising appeal that same day. The online crowdfunder is closed after the June 2017 general election – which saw the SNP’s vote share drop – having raised almost half of its £1m target.

December 2019

The SNP wins 48 seats across Scotland at the general election. Sturgeon argues this is a clear mandate from the public to hold an IndyRef2. A second fundraising website, Yes.Scot, helps take the party’s campaign fighting fund total to nearly £667,000. SNP membership peaks at 126,000.

March 2021

Three SNP officials resign from the party’s finance and audit committee after being denied sight of the accounts. Frank Ross, Allison Graham and Cynthia Guthrie read out a joint statement at an SNP NEC meeting, the party’s ruling body. The Sunday Mail later obtains a video recording of the meeting. It shows Nicola Sturgeon telling the NEC the party’s finances have never been stronger, and warning of the impact on future donations if anyone goes public with their concerns.

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March 2021

Independence activist Sean Clerkin makes a formal complaint to Police Scotland calling on officers to launch an investigation into how party donations, supposedly ring-fenced for an IndyRef2 campaign, were being spent. He later tells the Record how he was branded a “traitor” and an “MI5 agent” by other independence campaigners for his actions.

May 2021

SNP MP Douglas Chapman resigns as the party’s treasurer. He claims that “despite having a resounding mandate from members to introduce more transparency into the party’s finances, I have not received the support or financial information” required to do the job. Chapman had only been in the role since the previous November, when he defeated long-serving treasurer Colin Beattie in an internal vote.

July 2021

Police Scotland launches Operation Branchform to investigate how the SNP spent more than £600,000 of donations intended for a second independence referendum campaign.

September 2022

The SNP loses the services of accounting firm Johnston Carmichael, which had audited the party’s finances for the previous decade. The loss of the auditors is only made public seven months later, with many senior SNP members left in the dark over the subsequent struggle to appoint a replacement firm.

February 2023

Nicola Sturgeon stuns the political world when she announces her sudden resignation as First Minister. The SNP is rocked as a bitter leadership contest subsequently begins to replace her as party leader. The Sunday Mail later reveals that police started interviewing potential witnesses as part of Operation Branchform that same month.

March 2023

The Sunday Mail reveals that detectives are investigating a series of high-value transactions by the SNP, including the purchase of vehicles. That same month, Peter Murrell resigns as SNP chief executive after a row over membership numbers shows the party has lost 30,000 in two years. Humza Yousaf wins the race to succeed Sturgeon as First Minister and party leader.

April 5, 2023

Murrell is arrested at the home he shares with Nicola Sturgeon on the outskirts of Glasgow. He is taken to Falkirk police station where he is questioned by detectives for several hours in connection with Operation Branchform. He is released without charge that evening, pending further investigations. Police also search the couple’s home over a 48-hour period. In Edinburgh, the SNP party HQ is searched and electronic equipment removed.

April 14, 2023

The Record reveals how a luxury campervan seized by police from outside the home of Peter Murrell’s elderly mother was intended to be an SNP campaign battle bus. The vehicle sat on a drive in Dunfermline for two years and was never used.

April 18, 2023

Colin Beattie, who had served as SNP treasurer for two decades in two stints in the role, is arrested and questioned by detectives in connection with Operation Branchform. He is released without charge that same day, pending further investigations.

June 11, 2023

Nicola Sturgeon is arrested by Operation Branchform detectives and questioned for several hours. The MSP is released without charge, pending further investigation.

April 18, 2024

Peter Murrell is charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the party. The 59-year-old was quizzed at Falkirk police station, more than a year after his first arrest, before being charged.

March 20, 2025

Murrell appears in court in Edinburgh charged with embezzlement The former SNP chief executive, 60, made no plea during the private hearing and was granted bail. Police Scotland confirms Colin Beattie and Nicola Sturgeon are no longer under investigation.

May 25, 2026

Murrell appears at the High Court in Edinburgh and pleads guilty to one count of embezzlement.

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Notts County and Salford City battle it out at Wembley today with a place in League One up for grabs

Notts County and Salford City battle it out at Wembley today with a place in League One up for grabs.

The two sides were separated by just one point during the regular League Two season and now meet in the play-off final on Bank Holiday Monday.

Here is everything you need to know about how to watch the match live on TV and via streaming services.

What time is Notts County v Salford City kick-off?

The League Two play-off final kicks off at 3pm BST on Monday, May 25.

The match takes place at Wembley Stadium.

What TV channel is it on?

The game will be shown live on Sky Sports.

Coverage is available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

Is there a live stream?

Yes. Fans can stream the match live through the Sky Go app if they have a Sky Sports subscription.

The fixture is also available through NOW, with day passes and monthly memberships available.

Can I watch for free?

In the United States, the game is available free through CBS Sports Golazo Network.

UK viewers require a Sky Sports or NOW subscription to watch live coverage.