World Snooker Championship betting offers, free bets and best betting sites
The World Snooker Championship is underway at the Crucible, with the world’s best players descending on Sheffield for one of the most-watched and most-wagered-on sporting events of spring.
Names including Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump will be contesting the tournament, with significant betting interest generated too, from outrights wagers through to in-play frame betting.
UK bookmakers also run dedicated promotions around the event, with betting offers and betting specials. Here’s our guide to some of the best offers from six key bookies:
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Luke Baker22 April 2026 14:21
Another seed makes it through
An update from this morning’s session at the Crucible where yet another seed advanced. That’s now 12 matches completed and 12 seeds going through…
Could we have a first-ever clean sweep of all 16 seeds making it through the first round?
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The latest was 13th seed Chris Wakelin who looked to be in a battle with talented 20-year-old debutant Liam Pullen when the youngster pulled the match back to 5-5 but Wakelin went through the gears from there and eventually emerged a 10-6 winner.
The reigning Scottish Open champion will now face Neil Robertson or Pang Junxu in the last 16.
(PA)
Luke Baker22 April 2026 14:10
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WATCH: The Rocket pulls out a thunderbolt
Ronnie O’Sullivan was on fire yesterday afternoon and this shot was symptomatic of his form.
If The Rocket is knocking in the long balls, then the rest of the field must beware…
Luke Baker22 April 2026 13:59
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Who is Wu Yize? China’s ‘new superstar’ tipped by Ronnie O’Sullivan to win the World Snooker Championship
Wu Yize hails from Lanzhou in the northwest of China, a city famous for its beef noodles. It is a clear beef broth with radish slices, chilli oil and herbs, and aside from his family, it is the thing he misses most: there are plenty of Chinese restaurants in Sheffield, but they don’t do it like home.
It is a small cost for being one of the best young snooker players in the world. Wu moved his life to Yorkshire three years ago to be part of the growing stable of Chinese players in the city, and he could be the next superstar from the group.
The 22-year-old reached finals at the English Open and Scottish Open last season, and comes into the World Snooker Championship as the 10th seed and among the contenders for the title.
Read Lawrence Ostlere’s full profile of Wu:
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Luke Baker22 April 2026 13:45
Why Zhao Xintong is the man to finally break the ‘Crucible Curse’
The “Crucible Curse” is snooker’s most famous hex. Twenty men who have won their first World Snooker Championship title at the iconic Crucible Theatre since the tournament moved there in 1977 have tried to defend it the next year. All 20 have failed.
Everyone, from surprise, one-off champions to the greatest of all time who would go on to dominate their era have fallen short the year after their first world crown.
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But Zhao Xintong might just be different…
Luke Baker22 April 2026 13:30
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs He Guoqiang first session in pictures
Things could hardly have gone better for Ronnie O’Sullivan in the first session yesterday
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(PA)
(PA)
(Getty)
(Getty)
Luke Baker22 April 2026 13:17
First round results
Well over half the first-round matches have now been completed at the Crucible and we’ve got a unique situation brewing. So far, every single seeded player has won their match – normally he first round is an absolute bloodbath for the higher-ranked players.
Never in the history of the World Championship has there been a clean sweep of all 16 seeds reaching the second round. Will we see it this year? Surely not…
Zhao Xintong (1) 10-7 Liam Highfield
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Mark Allen (14) 10-6 Zhang Anda
Barry Hawkins (11) 10-4 Matthew Stevens
Xiao Guodong (9) 10-6 Zhou Yuelong
Mark Williams (6) 10-4 Antoni Kowalski
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Ding Junhui (16) 10-5 David Gilbert
John Higgins(5) 10-7 Ali Carter
Kyren Wilson (3) 10-7 Stan Moody
Wu Yize (10) 10-2 Lei Peifan
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Judd Trump (2) 10-5 Gary Wilson
Shaun Murphy (8) 10-9 Fan Zhengyi
Luke Baker22 April 2026 13:05
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Shaun Murphy criticises Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump’s conduct before World Snooker Championship
Shaun Murphy has criticised fellow former world champions Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump for missing the launch of the 2026 World Championship in Sheffield.
This year’s players gathered in Tudor Square outside the Crucible Theatre on Friday for a green-carpet ceremony celebrating the relationship between snooker and Sheffield, before media commitments with press and broadcasters inside the venue.
But O’Sullivan and Trump did not appear and unless they can provide a valid reason for their absence, such as a medical issue, they face a sanction from the World Snooker Tour.
Luke Baker22 April 2026 12:53
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Ronnie O’Sullivan is 50 and still a genius – but can he conquer snooker’s new Chinese dynasty to win historic eighth crown?
Even by Ronnie O’Sullivan’s absurd standards, this has been an astonishing season, achieving unfathomable feats including one break which left casual observers wondering how it is possible to score 153, six more than the “maximum” 147.
Even at the age of 50, O’Sullivan is still redefining what is possible on a twelve-by-six table.
O’Sullivan was winning major titles before the current world champion, Zhao Xintong, was born, yet he is still producing moments of unfettered genius.
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He arrives at the Crucible chasing a historic eighth world title, which would stand him alone in rarified air, one clear of Stephen Hendry. Significantly, despite his long love-hate relationship with snooker, O’Sullivan has shown he is still motivated to break new ground.
Read Lawrence Ostlere’s full analysis of ‘The Rocket’s’ latest pursuit of history:
Luke Baker22 April 2026 12:41
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When does Ronnie O’Sullivan play and how to watch?
Ronnie O’Sullivan concludes his best-of-19, first-round encounter against Chinese debutant He Guoqiang this afternoon.
The second session, which begins with O’Sullivan leading 7-2, starts at 2.30pm.
If O’Sullivan gets through, then his second-round contest will be the best of 25 frames, across three sessions against John Higgins. The first session is on Saturday 25 April at 7pm, the second session is on Sunday 26 April at 7pm and the final, concluding session will be the following afternoon – Monday 27 April at 1pm.
Every session of every match at the 2026 World Snooker Championship will be live on the BBC, with BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, the BBC red button, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website all utilised for coverage across the 17 days.
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The tournament is also broadcast on TNT Sports in the UK, with every session shown across their channels and subscribers can also use streaming service HBO Max to watch TNT Sports.
One ITV campmate has claimed that not all of the former footballer and actor’s arguement was shown
I’m A Celebrity South Africa star Jimmy Bullard has confirmed whether he will be at the final of the ITV reality show amid fresh claims from one of his campmates about his ‘feud’ with Adam Thomas.
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Former footballer Jimmy left fans of the series divided on Tuesday night (April 21) as the campmates fought for their place in camp. Moments after Coronation Street icon Beverley Callard had to leave on medical grounds, the rest of the campmates were placed into pairs.
This led to an explosive row between former Emmerdale actor Adam, who has already issued a statement about boxer David Haye’s treatment of him, and Jimmy, with the latter deciding to quit the show and put Adam’s place in the competition at risk.
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The former Fulham player was seen watching the Bushtucker trail before he told his team: “Boys, I don’t think I’ve got it in me.” Jimmy then apologised to Adam and said ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here’, which caused the trial to end for everyone and meant that contestants must forfeit the stars they had won.
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Adam then stormed over to Jimmy during a heated exchange and said: “Taking the f****** piss, are you taking the f****** piss?” He added: “I’m in there getting covered in f****** ants!” Jimmy responded by telling him to “calm down” and described his outburst as “pathetic”.
Due to Jimmy not attempting the challenge, Ant and Dec asked the campmates if they wanted to keep Adam in, who unanimously voted for the actor to remain on the show. When hearing that his campmates had voted to keep him in, Adam burst into tears, and said: “I appreciate that, guys. Thank you and I’m so sorry for the way that I acted as well, it was just emotions are really running high.”
Reports have since emerged that Jimmy would not be attending the final due to the dramatic scenes. Filmed last year, the live final is set to air on Friday night (April 22). Broadcast from London, the former campmates are set to be in attendance to see who follows in Myleene Klass’ footsteps and is crowned the latest I’m A Celebrity ‘Legend’.
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With the fallout of the incident making headlines, singer Sinitta took to Instagram on Wednesday (April 22). According to the singer, who is also taking part in the series, the C-word was shouted during the argument.
Sinitta said: “There was a big argument, I can hear c-word, c-word, shouting c-word, you c-word. What on earth is going on? And I’m also thinking – can we get on with the race because I’m winning?
“I’m literally frozen in position like ready to carry on from where we’ve left off, but no. And it’s this massive fight and, of course, it was one of these things that if whoever lost the game, the team were off the show so Adam and Jimmy are going and I suddenly think, wait a minute this isn’t fair.”
Taking to the comments section of Sinitta’s post, former Soccer AM host Jimmy not only claimed that the full argument was not shown, but that he will be attending the final after all.
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“Wow thanks @thesinittaofficial shame that wasn’t shown! My version will be told Friday! Can’t wait to see you all….well some of yous,” he wrote.
It took place at a house in Marbled White Place, Knaresborough, after a man refused to leave or allow a woman to leave the property.
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North Yorkshire Police said they were called to the scene just after 8am this morning and its officers raised a cordon.
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In a statement just after 3pm, a force spokesperson said: “Following negotiations the man, who is in his 40s, has been arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and has been taken to hospital for treatment, where he remains under close police supervision.
“Officers are emphasising that the incident has now concluded and is being treated as isolated.
“There has been a police presence in the area to deal with the incident and neighbourhood policing team officers will be on patrol to provide continued support to the local community this evening.”
A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody for questioning.
The Bolton News understands that the man was was taken to hospital for an assessment and is now in custody as investigations continue.
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Detective Chief Inspector Mike Sharples said: “We currently have a man detained and officers are conducting extensive enquiries as part of a comprehensive investigation.
“We fully appreciate that the local community will be concerned but I would like to reassure them that there is no wider threat, and that this is being treated as an isolated incident.”
He acknowledged the circulation of a video related to the incident and the concerns it may raise.
Police standing at a door on the row of houses. (Image: NQ)
DCI Sharples said: “We are aware of a video circulating online in relation to this incident, and we appreciate that people will have concerns and worries regarding it.
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“You will notice we have extra patrols in the area; I encourage anyone with concerns to please speak with our officers who are there to support.
“If you are concerned about crime in your area, you can report it to police on 101 or via our LiveChat service at gmp.police.uk.
“Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”
Whether through TV crime dramas or cinema blockbusters about dinosaur theme parks, DNA is a staple of modern popular culture – its double-helix structure one of science’s most iconic visualisations.
Yet remarkably, the young Swiss scientist who discovered DNA in the first place is largely forgotten.
Born in Basel in 1844, Friedrich Miescher only began his career as a researcher after developing a hearing impairment that forced him to shelve plans to be a doctor like his father. Working in the medieval castle that overlooks the old German town of Tübingen, Miescher’s aim was a grand one – to uncover the chemical nature of life itself.
But his working environment was rather different to today’s molecular biology laboratories. The University of Tübingen’s conversion of the castle kitchens into laboratories appears to have involved little more than swapping pots and pans for beakers and alembics used for distillation.
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Working in what he likened to the laboratory of a medieval alchemist, the first stage of Miescher’s research was the unsavoury task of scraping pus from discarded surgical bandages, obtained from the local hospital.
The laboratory where Miescher isolated nuclein was located in the vaults of an old castle in Tübingen. Paul Sinner via Wikimedia
Pus offered him a rich source of white blood cells, which were much easier to isolate and prepare than cells from solid human tissue. So, they were particularly well suited for analysing what molecules human cells are made of.
Over the winter of 1868-9, Miescher discovered a novel cellular substance with properties unlike anything else known at that time. Its chemical behaviour was significantly different to proteins, which were by then understood to be key structural and functional components of cells.
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Unlike proteins, Miescher’s substance was rich in the element phosphorus. Observing that it was found almost exclusively within each cell’s nucleus, he called it “nuclein” – a term that was largely retained within its modern name of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA.
Little was known about the functions of the cell’s nucleus at the time, although several biologists suspected it to be central to cell growth and division. Miescher was convinced that nuclein must be closely involved in these processes.
Miescher’s landmark paper was published in 1871. Ralf Dahm, Author provided (no reuse)
He announced the discovery of DNA in 1871 in a paper titled On the Chemical Composition of Pus Cells. While it hardly sounded (or indeed read) like a page-turner, his studies of pus would prove a landmark moment in the history of science.
Nearly a century later, it led to the Nobel-winning discovery of DNA’s double-helix structure. The date of that landmark paper by James Watson and Francis Crick is now marked each year on April 25 as DNA Day. Yet Miescher’s contribution is largely unacknowledged.
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From pus to salmon
The Swiss scientist’s move back to his home town in 1871 brought him a rich new source of nuclein that meant no longer having to scrape pus from old bandages.
Each year, salmon swim from the North Sea to their breeding grounds in the upper Rhine river, where the city of Basel is located. In preparation for mating, the male salmon’s testes grow massively and become laden with DNA.
Rising in the dark and cold of a winter morning, Miescher would walk down to the banks of the Rhine to catch salmon, then extract their DNA in his laboratory. This image gave us the title of our biography of Miescher, The Dawn Fisherman, to be published in June 2026.
This series is dedicated to lesser-known, highly influential scientists who have had a powerful influence on the careers and research paths of many others, including the authors of these articles.
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The intensity with which Miescher carried out his research was formidable. One of his students recalled that, on the day of Miescher’s wedding, friends had to drag him from his lab bench to attend the church.
His commitments grew. As well as researching Rhine salmon for the local fishing industry, Miescher worked for the Swiss government to improve the diets of prison inmates. And after founding Basel’s first institute of anatomy and physiology in 1885, there were the growing administrative burdens of being its director.
All these commitments brought a growing sense of frustration that he was spending less time on DNA. Looking to classical mythology for images of futility and despair, Miescher compared himself to rolling the boulder of Sisyphus up the mountain.
These strains took their toll on his health. In 1890, having contracted tuberculosis, he became a resident at a sanatorium in the alpine resort of Davos.
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A second great insight
But during the final years of his life there, Miescher had his second great insight. Citing Charles Darwin’s speculations about the mechanism of heredity, Miescher proposed that the variation in biological traits of all living organisms might arise through variation in the physical structure of a large molecule – which he thought was most likely to be a protein.
Limited by the concepts and methods of his time, Miescher did not make the connection that nuclein (DNA) was, in fact, this very molecule.
He died in 1895 aged 51, burdened by a painful sense of failure and opportunities missed. “I will never know the happiness that belongs to the man who has lived up to their station in a harmonious way to the satisfaction of themselves and others,” Miescher wrote.
But his former mentor, the distinguished physiologist Carl Ludwig (1816-1895), was more confident that the achievements of his protégé would one day be recognised. “However often the cell will be studied and examined during the centuries to come,” he assured Miescher as he lay in the Davos sanatorium, “the grateful descendants will remember you as the ground-breaking researcher”.
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Ludwig’s prediction turned out to be only partly accurate. DNA-based technologies have transformed what we understand about life and disease. Yet Miescher is scarcely acknowledged as the scientist whose pioneering work led to them.
This article features references to a book that have been included for editorial reasons, and contain links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something from bookshop.org The Conversation UK may earn a commission.
Emmerdale revealed a major twist with Dr Caitlin Todd after Charity Dingle survived her horror birth as surrogate for Jacob and Sarah Sugden.
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Charity Dingle was left with another lie to spin after she was confronted by Dr Caitlin Todd moments after her traumatic birth scenes aired.
While it was only ever a matter of time that someone else learned the truth about baby Leyla, viewers will know that Dr Todd takes no messing when it comes to having control over a situation.
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Arriving at the hospital, the three of them entered the lift up to the maternity ward but it broke down, meaning they were all completely stuck.
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As Mack panicked due to his PTSD from being held hostage in John Sugden’s underground bunker, it was up to Ross Barton to pull through and help deliver the baby.
Once baby Leyla arrived, Mack and Ross panicked as they noticed Charity had become unresponsive and was bleeding. After the doors managed to be prised open by the firefighters, Dr Todd was quick on the scene getting Charity straight to surgery after handing Leyla over to Ross.
However, on Wednesday (April 22) night, things became worse for Charity. After Chas confronted Ross for hanging around the hospital, Dr Todd spotted their intense conversation and instantly became intrigued.
Later, she noticed Leyla’s blood type did not match Jacob’s in the medical files, and armed with new information she made her way over to Charity.
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While Charity tried to convince Todd that it was a mistake and that Leyla is Jacob and Sarah’s baby, a familiar gleam appeared in her eyes as she responded with a quick comment for Charity to “keep those stress levels down” after Mack disturbed their discreet conversation.
Viewers will know that Jacob has been the subject of bullying since Dr Todd became his mentor. She even went as far as to mention Maya Stepney, his groomer.
Enough was enough for the trainee doctor, and he decided to place a formal complaint with HR. Telling Todd that he’d done just that, now she has Charity’s secret what will she do next?
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On a Reddit thread, viewers expressed their shock over the new twist. u/ok_project4522 wrote: “I did not expect that twist with Dr Todd! The reveal must not be long now.”
u/typicalbobcot1088 added: “Dr Todd is annoyingly brilliant to me. I love how she just switches” as u/ryanhanks25 asked: “Is Todd planning on blackmailing Charity to get Jacob to withdraw his complaint?”
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
Geo-Structural Ltd has lodged a planning application seeking approval for 940-square metre building which would store plant and equipment at Drumbreck Farm.
North Lanarkshire Council has been asked by a construction company to grant planning permission for a storage building at its base in Caldercruix.
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Geo-Structural Ltd, which specialises in the maintenance and preservation of bridges and viaducts, has lodged a planning application seeking approval for 940-square metre building which would store plant and equipment at Drumbreck Farm.
The new building would be located in an area of currently unused land and the proposals do not include the creation of new parking facilities.
The company’s website states that it has worked on several well-known structures including the Forth Rail Bridge, Clyde Viaduct and numerous wind farms.
For further information on the application, or to leave comment for consideration, visit North Lanarkshire Council’s website and search for planning reference 26/00352/FUL.
It will surprise everyone, after the pair sensationally announced that last series would be their final one, in the middle of the autumn run.
They bid a tearful farewell to the BBC viewership at the end of Strictly’s Christmas Day special, leading the room in one last call of the show’s catchphrase: “Keeeep dancing!”
Since then, a string of the top presenting names in the biz have been pitched as potential replacements, with no official announcement as of yet.
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But new odds from the bookmakers over at William Hill suggest that there’s a possibility Winkleman and Daly could be back yet, albeit in a different capacity.
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The pair said ‘Keeeep dancing’ for the last time during the Christmas special (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
It’s currently 16/1 for either Claudia Winkleman or Tess Daly to return as contestants (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
So they would be partnered up with one of the show’s professional dancers and trained in all the moves they’ve been watching from the sidelines.
Lee Phelps said on behalf of William Hill: ‘Claudia and Tess have been loyal servants to Strictly Come Dancing over the last twenty years, so it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they made a comeback to the ballroom in some capacity.
‘The pair are 16/1 with us for either to compete in this year’s series, so we’re certainly not ruling anything else for the ex-hosts.
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‘As for who steps into the hosting role this year, Emma Willis, Bradley Walsh, and Rylan Clark are the latest frontrunners, but expect some further twists ahead of this autumn’s latest edition.’
Who are the favourites to host Strictly next?
These are the latest odds according to William Hill…
In the race to host, Emma Willis, Bradley Walsh, and Rylan Clark have developed a three-way race to be awarded the role at 5/4, with Zoe Ball (9/4) close behind.
Elsewhere, La Voix completes the list of leading contenders at 3/1, with Alex Jones and Alison Hammond each 5/1.
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Emma Willis and Rylan have already proven a popular duo on This Morning (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Strictly is reportedly running auditions for new hosts this week (Picture: ITV)
We’re said to be down to the final nine in the quest to replace Daly and Winkleman, with chemistry tests in the diary for this week to determine who will follow in their footsteps.
The auditions will reportedly mimic a Strictly show, with judges and even a live band, to see who has what it takes to cope with the pressures of live television.
A source told The Sun that the presenters in contention have signed non-disclosure agreements to keep all the details about the auditions top secret.
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Given the prestige of the ballroom dancing show for the BBC, they’ve reportedly got the broadcaster’s top bosses overseeing proceedings, including incoming director general Matt Brittin.
Metro contacted Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s representatives for comment.
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She said: “There is hope still, we pray. My dear family and friends. I’m asking from the deepest place in my heart – please keep my beautiful daughter Klaudia in your prayers right now. She is my angel, my world, my everything, and she needs all the love, strength, and healing we can send her.
The parliamentary stalemate over the Government’s pension reforms continues, after MPs voted to press the Lords to accept new laws on the Government’s ability to direct pension investments.
The House of Commons backed an amendment by 272 votes to 149, majority 123 to send the Pensions Scheme Bill back to the House of Lords containing laws that could allow the Government to tell pension funds how they should invest a certain amount of their funds, so-called “mandation”.
Amendments by the Government limit the portion of pension funds in line with a voluntary agreement by 17 of the UK’s largest defined contribution schemes in the Mansion House Accord last year.
They would be limited to 10%, by value, of all assets of the scheme in main default reserves, or 5% of assets to be held in UK-specific description.
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It comes amid aims to increase the amount of investment in the UK, which it is hoped will lead to economic growth.
Treasury minister Torsten Bell said the law is “designed to make clear on the face of the Bill that the power can only be used in line with what the industry itself has committed to”.
He added: “The cap prohibits any move beyond the accord targets.
Mr Bell told MPs the rule is “highly constrained and narrowly focused” (Joe Giddens/PA)
“The neutrality requirement rules out the possibility that any government could direct any investment into a particular asset or asset classes.”
Mr Bell told MPs the rule is “highly constrained and narrowly focused”.
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He said: “The Government cannot direct investments, and it explicitly only applies to main default funds, more explicitly matching the language used in the accord.”
Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately criticised the move and said: “He said this is a natural extension of the Mansion House Agreement, it is not.
“A voluntary agreement between willing participants is one thing, a legal requirement imposed across an entire sector is another.
“Secondly he has said that it is merely a reserve power, one the Government has no intention of using.
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“A reserve power does not sit harmlessly on the shelf, it shapes behaviour.
“I think in truth the minister accepts that, he has said as much to me before that the power will achieve its ends without even needing to be turned on.”
Labour MP and former Treasury minister Liam Byrne said: “The measures the minister has set out this afternoon really are essential if we are to pursue the long-term interests of pension savers in this country, because it is in their fundamental interest that they live and retire in an economy that is growing faster in the years to come.
“The only way in which we are going to collectively achieve that is if we raise the investment rate in this country.”
Abi Tierney held court with the Welsh press this afternoon
Welsh Rugby Union CEO Abi Tierney insists her position is not untenable and is determined to see through the reduction from four to three professional teams.
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Many supporters on social media are calling for Tierney to follow WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood through the exit door following the collapse of the Y11 deal to buy Cardiff Rugby. After months of uncertainty the WRU have offered PRA 25 to both the Ospreys and Scarlets, which means they will retain four clubs until 2028 before reducing to three teams.
But despite the toxicity thrown her way, Tierney is determined to continue in her role.
“Yes, I am,” said Tierney when asked whether she was committed to her role as CEO for the long term.
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“In my position, you wouldn’t not challenge yourself about whether it’s the right thing to personally from a family and a health perspective.
“In the last year, it has been emotionally draining and exhausting and very stressful.
“But actually, there’s something really powerful about knowing that I choose to do this job.
“I don’t have to do this job. I choose to do it. I think I reflect on the instability that would come if you change the chair and the chief executive at the same time.
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“I think that would bring more instability into Welsh rugby, which I don’t think is needed but I’m also very aware of the fact that a new chair may have a different view on that. And I will listen and obviously respect that view.”
Despite the ongoing uncertainty and the sense the WRU have kicked the can down the road when it comes to cutting the number of teams Tierney insists her position is not untenable.
“It depends how you define delivering a deal,” she said.
“If delivering a deal is to sell Cardiff at any price when it doesn’t make commercial sense then to me that’s not the right measure of whether you’ve been successful.
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“I think as a CEO you’ve got to take the difficult decisions as well and I think there’s as many people out there who are pleased with the result.
“I don’t think delivering a deal for the sake of delivering a deal is a reason to go. We always said 28 (going down to three years). We’ve been really clear it was going to be in 28.”
Here is every word of our interview with Tierney.
Abi, just explain what’s happened and perhaps more importantly, why?
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“We went into a process to sell Cardiff. We started that process last autumn.
“We went out openly to the market. At the time we got two bids which were credible and one of those bids we took through to the second phase.
“It’s a big decision and it’s a complex decision. It’s not a small little business. It’s a big business.
“And we went through that process very collaboratively and constructively with Y11. It was a joint decision at the end that this wasn’t the right time to sell Cardiff.”
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A lot of time and effort went into that. What was the breaking point or breaking points?
“There wasn’t really a breaking point, I would say. We talked a lot during that period.
“We looked at what they would be able to do and what we felt we wanted to be able to do. And it was generally a really transparent and collaborative process where two parties reached the conclusion that now wasn’t the right time.
“Some of it’s commercially sensitive as well. So, I wouldn’t want to talk about the commercial sensitivities around it.”
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What’s Y11’s commitment to the Ospreys going forward and what’s the future? Is it to stick with four teams?
“I just recently met with James (Davies-Yandle). They are committed.
“They want to get the PRA 25 signed as soon as possible. So, we’re in that process.
“That’s their focus at the moment and they’re already turning their minds to what that means in terms of the investment that they can put in and that will take them through till 2028.
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“They’re committed to doing that, and I know that they’re really excited about where Ospreys can go.”
Are you hopeful the Scarlets will also sign PRA 25?
“Yes, I am hopeful that the Scarlets will as well.”
So, the plan is still to reduce to three teams by 2028?
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“Yes, there is. My board remains committed to reducing to three teams from an affordability and a performance perspective.”
What does the future look like for the Ospreys and Scarlets?
“I would say wait till June. I know that’s hard and people would like to have all the answers now, but we’re going to now work collaboratively with the professional rugby board to look at what the process will be post-June and then we’ll be very open about explaining what the next steps will be.
“I would just encourage fans to continue to support their teams, buy the tickets, cheer them along, because that’s actually the kind of the thing that will help the most.”
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But you are back to the same state of play as when Cardiff went into administration last year?
“I don’t think we’ll ever pretend the last 12 months haven’t happened. I think we’ve all learned a huge amount along the way.
“And actually, I think it was really interesting. We met as a PRB this morning and a number have said just how constructive and collaborative the PRB is feeling at the moment.
“I think everybody is determined. Nobody wants to keep fighting and nobody wants to keep the uncertainty. So, I’ve got a level of confidence that we will continue to work together.”
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Will you still be able to make the improvements in the pathway?
“That’s all protected under this model. We have sufficient finance to fund the PRA on four teams to 2028 plus the £28million in the pathway.”
What happens if the pathway starts to produce more and better players over the next couple of years? Will you then consider sticking with four?
“The number of players was one element. The finances was another really big element.
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“We can have four teams, but we don’t have sufficient funding for those four teams to be competitive. And in order for us to succeed as a smaller rugby nation, I still firmly believe that we need a competitive professional rugby system.
“We’ve got other countries that will continue to loop ahead of us in that. It’s not just the player pathway, but it’s an affordability bit too.”
How long does PRA 25 last for?
“What we are saying to the clubs at the moment is it’s until 2028 because basically what they’ve got is fixed, guaranteed funding until 2028 and then at that point, we can change that.
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“So, the actual whole agreement is till the end of 30. It’s essentially a break clause at 2028.”
Is this just a case of you saving face and it’ll be a case of the WRU scrapping the plan to go to three in 2028?
“That’s not true.”
Does the Martyn Ryan consortium come back into equation to buy Cardiff?
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“No they don’t. We’re not selling Cardiff.
“It’s not the right time to sell Cardiff now with where we are in the market, so we’re taking Cardiff off the market.”
Can you afford to have four teams, own Cardiff and do the pathway funding of £28million?
“Yes, because of the improvement in our finances. We can do that.
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“We’ve had a tough year financially because of ticket sales etc but we’re still performing a level higher than what we had been previously, so we can afford all four on the pathway investment.”
It seemed that previously, the pathway investment was only possible with going to three teams?
“I think that’s why we have to look at 2028, so that’s what we’re saying. We can’t keep the four on PRA 25 for longer than that and do the pathway.”
You still think you can do three? This was the easy way of doing it?
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“It was never our way of going from four to three. I know I said that at the time and questioned that. They were completely independent processes.
“I never saw that as an easy option of getting from four to three. I think people assumed that’s what was happening. But Y11 remained committed to Ospreys as well as wanting to potentially purchase Cardiff.”
Can you still get to three by consensus? Or do you have to out to tender?
“I think that’s the conversation I need to have with the Professional Rugby Board over the next few weeks and see. I won’t rule anything out.
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“I’ve learned that in this job. If there was still a consensus that could be reached, that route would be preferable.”
Why don’t you just shut Cardiff down and go to three? You could do it tomorrow and get what you wanted?
“I don’t believe it’s the right thing for Welsh rugby. I talk about my job as chief executive of the national governing body.
“I have to make decisions based on the whole system. That is often really hard, because it doesn’t necessarily mean individual bits of the system all benefit from it in the same way and equally.
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“But that’s my job and I do not believe that shutting Cardiff is the right answer.”
So you’re valuing Cardiff ahead of the Scarlets and ahead of the Ospreys. That’s the only interpretation?
“No, I’m not.”
Well, one of the west Wales clubs is going to go?
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“There are other options in the west. It doesn’t mean that one club is going to go.”
So, that means a new team will get set up in the west?
“Let us work that one out and we’ll come to you in June. But I’m saying I do not believe and the board does not believe it’s the right answer to shut Cardiff.”
What happens to the Cardiff debt now held by the WRU?
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“I won’t comment on the numbers for Cardiff right now. We’ve taken them on as a separate subsidiary and that debt remains in that subsidiary. We’re not writing that debt off.”
Debts could keep rising from Cardiff. How long can you keep swallowing that?
“No, the debts don’t keep going up. The debts are as they are.
“We have modelled in our financial plan for the next couple of years – the forecast commercial and operational plans. We get to see that and we’ve allowed for that. We’re not increasing the debt to do that.
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“That’s part of the decisions we’ve needed to make. Do you sell it now at this price or potentially keep it and know that there might be some losses, but you build and you improve the commercial prospects over that period?”
Why not close them or Scarlets down due to debt?
“That’s not the right answer for the system. There are two really positive things that came out of the PRA 25 and you’ll all probably recall this from a year ago.
“So one is that we’re doing a debt for equity swap. So that takes three million of that debt that we swap for equity.
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“So that reduces the debt for Ospreys and Scarlets which is really important. We also refinanced which was really important for us be able to do PRA 25.
“We’re looking to try and bring some stability in the system by reducing their financial outlays.”
So how much equity will you have in them?
“So it’s through preferential shares. That’s how we’re doing it. So they swap three million of debt for that.”
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What if the new chair disagrees with the direction of travel and wants to stick with four teams?
“No, because Richard finishes on the 16th of July so that would be shared before the new chair comes in.”
Do the west Wales clubs have to commit £5m in expenditure when they sign PRA25?
“I don’t have that to the top my head, because it varies by club. It’s basically what each club has to do. Each RPI, the owner funding, is basically to cover the losses of that club after we have paid our money.
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“So I don’t have kind of at the top of my head.”
Can the Scarlets afford to do that?
“We have to go through that process over the next few weeks. You’d have to ask them that question.
“Different clubs have different losses. So we have to go through a process and one of the things we put in place after Helford was much more stringent due diligence, and we’ll have to go through that process.”
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When does the URC contract end?
“So, the URC are working collaboratively with us at the moment, and they’re waiting for us to confirm timings, and then they will look to us. The URC contract is in perpetuity.”
You as a governing body can’t own any franchise in PRL if you want to go down that road in the future?
“I don’t think you need to have an investor model.
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“If we ever got to the point, and at the moment, we’re committed to URC, where an Anglo-Welsh league then you’d hope that actually, that will be very attractive to investors.”
It appears more likely the St Helen’s redevelopment will happen now?
“Yes, it’s a great venue but you’d have to ask Swansea Council.”
Is it still the case the three licences will be one in Cardiff, one in the east and one in the west?
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