A fifth casualty was found outside the house and taken to hospital with burn injuries

Tributes have been paid to a woman and three children who tragically died in a house fire in Bootle, Merseyside, on Tuesday morning (September 22).

Flowers, balloons and soft toys have been left at the scene of a house fire on Stone Square, where the “intense” fire which “spread very rapidly”.

The four victims were found in the upstairs bedroom of the house in Bootle, Sefton, on Tuesday morning when firefighters entered the property, and a fifth casualty was found outside the house and taken to hospital with burn injuries.

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On Wednesday morning, a number of floral tributes had been laid next to a police cordon closing off access to the road. Candles had been placed on the pavement, along with pink and blue star-shaped balloons.

Soft toys, including Minecraft and Star Wars characters, were also laid at the scene.

One card had the message: “God bless you all. Heartbroken to hear about the devastating fire.” Another said: “Sleep tight. Forever in our hearts.”

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to the blaze just before 3.45am on Tuesday and found the semi-detached house well alight, a spokesman for the fire service said.

Chief fire officer Nick Searle described it as an “intense fire which spread very rapidly”.

A joint investigation with Merseyside Police is being carried out to establish the cause of the blaze. Next of kin have been informed but the victims have not yet been formally identified.

Fire service area manager Kevin Longshaw said: “This is a devastating incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives and been injured.

“We will work closely with relevant colleagues to ascertain the cause of the fire, but in the immediate term, we again extend our sincere condolences to those affected by this tragic incident.”

In a statement, Bishop of Liverpool the Right Rev Ruth Worsley and Bishop of Warrington the Right Rev Simon Robinson said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the devastating incident in Bootle, in which several people have tragically lost their lives.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones at this unimaginably difficult time. We pray, too, for all those affected by this tragedy and for the emergency services who responded to the fire.”

A man who endured 13 years of chemotherapy after being told he had an aggressive, life-limiting tumour has spoken of his devastation after learning the treatment may never have been necessary.

Andrew Whitehead was just 29 when he underwent surgery to remove a tumour from his neck at a hospital in Coventry in 2010.

He was subsequently told that he had a high-grade aggressive tumour and that chemotherapy and radiotherapy were his only options.

Now 45, Mr Whitehead says he was effectively told to prepare to die – and spent more than a decade organising his life around repeated cycles of chemotherapy.

The treatment only stopped after a new oncologist took over his care in 2024 and his case was reviewed.

Independent medical evidence obtained by his lawyers has since indicated that his tumour was a much lower grade and that he should not have received chemotherapy at all, according to law firm Brabners.

His case is among more than 40 being investigated by lawyers over claims of prolonged or allegedly unnecessary chemotherapy treatment at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust of patients all under the care of Dr Ian Brown.

It comes as an interim review by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has found serious failings in the care of patients who were prescribed prolonged courses of the chemotherapy drug temozolomide at the Coventry trust.

His case is among more than 40 being investigated by lawyers over claims of prolonged or allegedly unnecessary chemotherapy treatment under the care of Dr Ian Brown (above)

The RCP examined 20 cases and found 15 were ‘unsatisfactory overall’, with none judged to represent good practice. Its preliminary findings said patients had been prescribed extended courses with ‘little or no evidence of benefit’ and described the failings as a ‘betrayal of patient trust’.

The full review is expected to be published later this autumn.

Reflecting on the revelation, Mr Whitehead told the Daily Mail: ‘I believed I didn’t have long and was going to die. I hoped the treatment would extend my life, but I didn’t honestly know how long that would be.

‘It was just a case of taking one day at a time and seeing what happens. The treatment became my life, really. Taking the chemotherapy as I was told was my one and only focus, because that was the thing I hoped would keep me alive.’

Mr Whitehead was given 30 sessions of radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the beginning of his treatment.

For most of the next 13 years he took chemotherapy tablets for five days, followed by three weeks off, before starting another cycle.

‘You don’t just recover straight away. You have to slowly come out of it and, by the time you start to feel OK, it’s time for the next cycle again.’

Eventually, the routine became so entrenched that he could scarcely remember life before it.

‘After a few years it just became normal. It sounds stupid, but it just became my life. I didn’t know anything else. My old life had disappeared and this was the new life that I had to lead to stay alive.

‘There was a constant monotony of taking the tablets, going for a scan, hoping the scan was fine – which it usually was – and then you breathe a little bit and think, “OK, I’ve got another six months now; I need to do the best I can to get to the next scan”.

‘That was how I lived my life, from scan to scan.’

Then came the news that turned his world upside down.

He was told that the tumour was actually low-grade and that his original diagnosis had been wrong.

‘I was shocked and I was relieved, because being told you have a low-level cancer is not as stressful.

‘I was told I was coming off my tablets, and that was causing me a lot of stress because I had been told the tablets were keeping me alive.’

A Freedom of Information request showed that between 2007 and 2023 Coventry had spent £3.6million on temozolomide – around ten times more than any other neuro-oncology centre they examined

Reflecting on the revelation, Mr Whitehead told the Daily Mail: ‘I believed I didn’t have long and was going to die. I hoped the treatment would extend my life, but I didn’t honestly know how long that would be’

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It was not until he drove home that the enormity of what he had been told began to sink in.

‘Since finding out what I’ve found out, every time I look back I feel anger and sadness. All those years were taken away from me.’

Mr Whitehead says he had been forced to abandon almost every part of his former life.

He left a job he had worked at for around four-and-a-half years, gave up weight training, saw friends less often and stopped going out.

‘I had to stop everything just to concentrate on taking the tablets and trying to keep myself alive.’

He says he continues to suffer from stomach problems, fatigue and difficulty concentrating.

He has also been diagnosed with depression and illness anxiety disorder during assessments carried out for his legal case.

‘I still live at home, unfortunately, because I haven’t been able to move on with my life and be able to work or look to a future.

‘Everything has been put on pause. I’m still not working; I’m still struggling through life and I’ve got other things to deal with.’

His case is part of a much wider investigation by lawyer Fiona Tinsley and colleagues at Brabners.

Ms Tinsley said the first patient who approached the firm had taken temozolomide for 17 years after being told the drug was keeping him alive.

When a new consultant reviewed his case in April 2024, he was told there was no scientific or medical evidence supporting chemotherapy for anything approaching that length of time.

His family complained to the trust.

According to Ms Tinsley, the trust subsequently acknowledged that the treatment should not have happened and was not in line with national or international guidance, apologising to the patient and his family.

Crucially, she said, the trust referred to a wider ‘cohort of patients’ who would also be contacted.

That prompted lawyers to investigate.

Since January 2025, Ms Tinsley said her firm has identified around 40 patients with concerns about prolonged temozolomide treatment – and believes there could be many more.

National guidance generally recommends six cycles of temozolomide following radiotherapy for the relevant brain tumours, with prolonged treatment requiring clear clinical justification. 

The RCP review found repeated instances in which the drug was continued for years despite limited evidence of benefit.

A Freedom of Information request showed that between 2007 and 2023 Coventry had spent £3.6million on temozolomide – around ten times more than any other neuro-oncology centre they examined. 

Ms Tinsley says the investigation has also uncovered concerns about the original diagnoses in a number of cases.

In some patients, she said, independent experts reviewing tissue samples have concluded that the tumours were lower grade than originally diagnosed and that the patients may never have needed chemotherapy.

In Mr Whitehead’s case, his lawyers say independent expert evidence indicates the correct diagnosis should have been made in 2010.

His tumour samples had been sent from Coventry to Birmingham for pathology analysis.

The lawyers are now pursuing claims involving both University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire and University Hospitals Birmingham in cases where they allege diagnostic errors occurred.

The wider RCP review has raised questions about how such treatment could continue for so long without being challenged.

Its interim findings criticised the consultant at the centre of the review, who it referred to as ‘Dr Y’ but who the Daily Mail understands to be Professor Brown.

The report said he did not participate in the review and did not attend an interview with investigators.

It also raised concerns about the role of a former clinical nurse specialist, saying patient care was primarily managed by him while the consultant had limited direct involvement.

Pharmacy teams were also criticised for failing to question the use of an oral chemotherapy drug continuously for ten to 15 years.

The review said there had been ‘multiple opportunities for scrutiny and challenge’ and described a failure to recognise the prolonged prescribing as highly unusual.

It also recommended consideration of independent reviews of living patients who had been treated by the consultant.

The trust has said that all patients receiving temozolomide at the time of the consultant’s retirement had been reviewed by senior clinicians and appropriate care plans put in place.

It has also said it is conducting an independent review of its ‘speak up’ processes and will assess the full RCP report before taking further action.

The legal cases are now being pursued against the NHS trust, with the lawyers seeking answers, accountability and compensation for patients who they say suffered physical, psychological and financial consequences. 

The department store as unveiled its new Christmas range for 2026

John Lewis has revealed its new Christmas shop for 2026, with new festive decorations and gifts.

The retail giant announced that Christmas has officially started in its UK stores, just a little over 13 weeks ahead of the day itself. John Lewis Christmas shops – selling trees, lights and tableware to decorations, gifts and wrapping – are now up and running across all stores.

The department store said it has already seen early demand for some festive items, including gift wrap, charity Christmas cards and Christmas crackers.

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Cydney Ball, head of Christmas at John Lewis, said: “After months of planning, creating and bringing our vision to life, it’s incredibly exciting to finally open the doors to our Christmas shop and share it with our customers.”

She added: “Christmas at John Lewis is about so much more than finding the perfect gift or ornament for the tree. It’s about the anticipation, the nostalgia and those little moments that make the season feel magical. We can’t wait for our customers to step inside and start their Christmas story with us.”

John Lewis said its shoppers appeared to be seeking out “retro classics”, with sales of the Native Union Pop Phone spiking by 186 per cent last week alone.

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Retro Christmas decorations on sale include a 70s disco mouse, a miniature arcade game, a cassette tape, and a classic sketch toy. Classic characters such as Miffy and Snoopy also feature within the Christmas shop.

The John Lewis Santa’s tea party is returning to selected stores this festive season, with 28 per cent more tickets on sale than last year. The retailer said this year’s tea parties will be “more immersive and enchanting than ever before, with a special storytime hosted by Santa and his elves accompanied by hot chocolate, festive treats and a special gift”.

All stores will also be holding talks covering a range of themes, such as how to build the perfect winter capsule wardrobe, a ‘treetorial’ on how to style and decorate the tree, and tips on how to set the perfect table for Christmas.

John Lewis is not the only department store to have already opened its Christmas shop, with Liberty and Selfridges having transformed significant areas in store into dedicated festive-themed spaces.

Ava Mannings says she was diagnosed with a brain tumour about a week after viewers learned she had won ITV’s The Voice.

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Following a two-year absence from social media, The Voice champion Ava Mannings has revealed the reason behind her disappearance after winning the ITV programme. The performer, who uses the professional name AVA, secured victory in the competition aged 21 under the guidance of McFly vocalists Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones.

Yet just a week after the public witnessed her crowned as champion, Ava was given a life-altering diagnosis. On Instagram, the now 23-year-old posted a video acknowledging it was ‘a little hard’ for her to discuss.

She said: “I’m not sure how to put it into words. So unfortunately, Miss Ava here was diagnosed with a brain tumour back in October 2024, about a week after everyone found out that I had won The Voice. So that’s why I disappeared so quickly.

“Yeah, I’m not going to get into that whole experience because it’s still something that, you know, it’s quite life-changing.”

The vocalist revealed she had undergone ‘major surgery’ and received an encouraging outcome. Later in the footage, she expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support she’s been shown, reports the Express.

Ava assured her supporters she would ‘never’ abandon music despite the ‘tough ride’ she’s endured over the last two years. Describing the considerable effort required to reach her current position, she hinted that fresh material is forthcoming.

She continued: “So, catch me on a journey that I had no idea how to experience. One thing to know about me is that I still go with the flow. The main thing is, thank you so much, everyone. I don’t really know what to say because obviously this is quite a hard video for me to make, but I’m back, so watch out, everyone.”

Supporters were quick to rally around Ava, among them Giovanna Fletcher and Harry Judd. The McFly star wrote: “Sending you loads of love and I cannot wait to hear you sing again!” while Giovanna added: “So much love for you Ava.”

One follower wrote: “I see strength, passion and real courage in this video. It is such a privilege for all of us to get to be a part of your journey. Immensely proud of you! Cannot wait to hear the new music.”

Another commented: “Aw, Ava, I’m proud of you for having the courage to post this, and I’m so excited for your music. I loved you on The Voice, so I’m very excited to hear your own stuff, take it day by day and don’t overdo it. We’ll be here waiting and supporting you through it all.”

A third shared: “Thank you for sharing this Ava, I’m sorry that you’ve been experiencing. I hope that you’re doing better and that you are healing. We can’t wait to hear more from you soon.”

While another wrote: “I’m so glad to see you’re back, sending all my love to you.”

The Voice is available to watch on ITVX.

By JOANNA CRAWLEY, DEPUTY SHOWBIZ EDITOR (NEWS)

Published: 12:16 BST, 23 September 2026 | Updated: 13:13 BST, 23 September 2026

The cast of the Celebrity Traitors have already discovered a non-faithful in their midst – the BBC show’s photoshop department.

Maya Jama, 32, and Rob Beckett, two of the 21 stars of the upcoming series, have been left outraged after the BBC released their official headshots for the show this week.

Comedian Rob, 40, took umbrage at his portrait, which features him with a bemused smile on his face. 

Sharing the snap to Instagram, Rob declared: ‘I think there’s a traitor in the photoshop department…. what the f**k has happened to my face.’

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The post prompted his co-star Maya, who is perhaps more used to her glam Love Island photos, to reply with a string of laughing face emojis as she told him ‘they did us all dirty tbh’. 

Rob’s wife, the writer Lou Beckett, saw the funny side, telling him: ‘Our wedding photos are about to get a glow up. I’m using AI to replace you in every photo in the house with this one.’ 

Maya Jama and the cast of the Celebrity Traitors have already discovered a non-faithful in their midst – the BBC show’s photoshop department

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Maya and Rob Beckett, who star on the upcoming series, have been left outraged after the BBC released their official headshots for the show this week

Rob’s close pal and fellow comedian Lloyd Griffith meanwhile decided: ‘you look like you’ve found God’.   

The new series of Celebrity Traitors will begin on October 1, the BBC revealed last week.

Joining Rob and Maya and host Claudia Winkleman in the Scottish Highlands for the second series are Amol Rajan, Bella Ramsey, James Acaster, James Blunt, Jerry Hall, Joanne McNally, Joe Lycett, Julie Hesmondhalgh, King Kenny and Leigh-Anne Pinnock.

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Michael Sheen, Miranda Hart, Myha’la, Professor Hannah Fry, Richard E Grant, Romesh Ranganathan, Ross Kemp, Sebastian Croft and Sharon Rooney complete the line up. 

A new explosive trailer released last week showed the stars meeting each other for the first time at the iconic castle as host Claudia declared: ‘The game is on!’

A trailer hinted at the difficult tasks the group had to endure with an exploding pirate ship as the stars have to try and build up the £100,000 cash prize for a chosen charity.

The new trailer showed the players arriving to the castle in their swanky cars before heading to a church as they all take their seats for the first task. 

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Maya then quipped to her fellow players: ‘If this is the last time we are all friends, then good luck!’

The teaser then cut to the first tense Round Table as Claudia told them: ‘I have chosen my Traitors. The game is on!’ 

Comedian Rob took umbrage at his portrait, which features him with a bemused-smile on his face, prompting Maya to comment about her photo

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Rob’s wife, the writer Lou Beckett saw the funny side, telling him: ‘Our wedding photos are about to get a glow up. I’m using AI to replace you in every photo in the house with this one’

The new series of Celebrity Traitors will begin on October 1, the BBC revealed last week

She added: ‘There are now killers among you. People are out there to deceive. Fame won’t save them.’

The series will begin with an extra-long opening episode and the launch night will also see a new bonus special airing. 

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Traitor or Faithful? Claudia Decides will be available on October 1 from 9.15pm on BBC iPlayer. Viewers will find out how Claudia chooses her Traitors in the one-off special. 

The regular series episodes will air two nights a week on Thursday and Friday evenings at 8pm. 

The Celebrity Traitors line-up 2026

 

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 Jerry Hall

Jerry Hall, 70, rose to fame in the Seventies and became one of the era’s most recognisable fashion icons 

Richard E Grant

Richard E Grant, 69, celebrated for his roles in everything from cult classic Withnail & I to modern flicks such as Everybody’s Talking About Jamie 

 James Blunt

James Blunt, 52, shot to global fame with his debut album and the hit single ‘You’re Beautiful’

 Ross Kemp

Ross Kemp, 62, who recently returned to EastEnders to reprise his role as hardman Grant Mitchell, is said to be wanting to ‘challenge himself’

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 Michael Sheen

Michael Sheen, 57, is celebrated for his incredible performances across stage and screen, particularly his work in Good Omens and The Queen

 Rob Beckett

Best friend of fellow Traitors star Romesh, comedian Rob Beckett, 40, is known for his high-energy and booming laugh

 Sharon Rooney

Sharon Rooney, 37, is best known for her breakout role as Rae Earl in the acclaimed series My Mad Fat Diary

 Joanne McNally

Joanne McNally, 43, is known for her brutally honest humour and hilarious takes on dating, chaos, and modern life

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 Amol Rajan

Journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan, 43, has carved out a successful career across major UK media, including radio and television

 King Kenny

King Kenny, 29, is a content creator known for prank videos and street-style social experiments

 Sebastian Croft

Sebastian Croft, 24, is best known for his breakout role as Ben Hope in the Netflix series Heartstopper

  Maya Jama

Maya Jama, 32, is quickly becoming one of the UK’s most popular stars and famously fronts Love Island

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 Miranda Hart

Miranda Hart, 53, broke through with her hit sitcom Miranda which became a resounding success and cemented her as a comedy legend

Romesh Ranganathan

Romesh Ranganathan, 48, has been taking British TV by storm in recent years is known for his deadpan delivery

 James Acaster

Comedian James Acaster, 41, is good friends with Ed Gamble who hosts The Traitors: Uncloaked. The duo present the hit food podcast Off Menu 

 Bella Ramsey

Bella Ramsey, 22, rose to fame as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones and gained global acclaim for their leading role in The Last Of Us

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 Leigh-Anne Pinnock

Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 34, is known as a member of the girl group Little Mix, who found fame on The X Factor in 2011

 Joe Lycett

From TV stunts to clever public pranks, Joe Lycett, 38, has built a reputation as one of Britain’s most inventive comics

 Hannah Fry

Mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry, 42, is known for turning complex data into content which is engaging to viewers

 Julie Hesmondhalgh

Julie Hesmondhalgh, 56, is best known for her long-running role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street – the first transgender character in a British soap opera

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 Myha’la

Myha’la, 30, is known for her striking portrayal of brutal fintech expert Harper Stern in the HBO drama Industry

 

Due to high demand from fans for tickets for Oasis Live 27, extra shows have been announced at Knebworth on September 25 and 26, Rome’s Olympic Stadium on July 26 and Munich’s Allianz Arena on July 6.

Alongside this, Oasis will now play Paris on July 20 and 23 because of railway engineering works near the Stade de France venue on July 24.

With the additional dates, Oasis Live 27 will see the band play 42 shows in Scotland, England, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Italy, the US and Ireland.

There will be no further dates added to the tour.

Registration for fans wanting to purchase tickets is now closed.

Successful applicants who have already signed up will be sent a unique, non-transferable code to access an allocated on-sale window.

In the UK, ticket sales will take place on September 25, 26 and 27, with three selling windows each day.

Fans will be informed directly which window they can access, and at what time.

The registration process is the only public way to buy tickets. There will be no general sale or other public presales.

Last week, Oasis Live 27 promoters announced a new approach to live music at Knebworth.

There will be additional transport and accommodation provisions at the Hertfordshire venue, including rail and coach options, as well as a purpose-built campsite village.

Fans are advised not to drive to Knebworth and to instead consider the transport options provided.

The band played two concerts at the venue in August 1996, to an audience of more than 100,000 each night.

Noel Gallagher has ruled out making new music, despite the latest tour.

He told Talksport: “There won’t be any new music, no.”

Asked again about new music, he replied “nah”, and then replied “I don’t know” when questioned whether the band would continue beyond the tour next summer.

Asked when the band decided to do another tour, Gallagher added: “It was after about the second Wembley show.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned French President Emmanuel Macron after he criticised Israel’s actions in the occupied West Bank during his address to the UN General Assembly.

“Look at what’s happening in the West Bank, where day in, day out, we are seeing violations. And in the name of what? Hamas was never very active in the West Bank,” Macron said in French, according to the UN’s interpreter.

Netanyahu called the remarks a “grotesque absurdity” and said members of the Palestinian armed group there “carry out attacks against Jews almost every day”.

There was no response from Macron’s office, but one French diplomatic source said there had been a “misinterpretation”.

The source told the Jerusalem Post, external that the meaning of the French sentence spoken by the president, “Le Hamas n’a jamais sévi en Cisjordanie,” was, “Hamas has never governed the West Bank.”

Macron also rejected US President Donald Trump’s assertion that he had ended the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Violence there has continued despite last October’s ceasefire, including almost daily Israeli strikes, while humanitarian conditions remain dire

“Some boast of a supposed peace. But that peace has not reopened humanitarian access for a single second,” he said. “Are we simply to stand by and watch this spectacle that should shame us all?”

After the address, the Israeli prime minister’s office said in a statement: “The grotesque absurdity of Emmanuel Macron’s statement is staggering.”

“On Sunday, the eve of [the Jewish holy day of] Yom Kippur, just two days ago, Netanel Shukrun – a French citizen and father of six – was murdered in his car by a Hamas terrorist in Judea and Samaria,” it added, using a biblical term for the West Bank.

“Hamas terrorists carry out attacks against Jews almost every day. They have murdered countless Israeli civilians in Judea and Samaria.”

The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, also denounced Macron’s remarks as “out of touch with reality”.

Shukrun, 36, was shot dead when a Palestinian opened fire on a group of Israelis at a spring near the West Bank settlement of Neve Tzuf, according to Israeli police. The suspect was arrested later at a hospital in the city of Ramallah, they said.

Hamas praised the attack but did not say it was behind it.

The group – which is designated as a terrorist organisation by Israel, France and other countries – is a rival of the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank that are not under Israeli control.

Israel has built about 160 settlements housing 700,000 Jews since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem – land Palestinians want, along with Gaza, for a hoped-for future state – during the 1967 Middle East war. An estimated 3.3 million Palestinians live alongside them.

The settlements are illegal under international law.

A former teacher accused of raping three women over a 20-year period is giving evidence at his trial for a second day.

Daniel Gravell is alleged to have raped a teenager at his home in 2001, to have raped a second teenager outside a rugby club in 2005, and to have raped a third woman in a hotel bedroom in 2021.

The 45-year-old defendant denies the allegations, and is on trial at Swansea Crown Court. Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newsletter

It is the prosecution case that the 2001 allegation involves a woman who Gravell met on a night out in Carmarthen town centre in the summer of that year. It is said the pair went back to the defendant’s house in nearby Johnston where they engaged in consensual kissing before the woman said she was on her period. The prosecution said at that point Gravell “yanked out” the woman’s tampon and raped her.

The second alleged rape is said to have happened in Carmarthen town centre in the summer of 2005 after Gravell met a teenager outside the Rose and Crown pub on Lammas Street. The court was told that he took her down an alley to the clubhouse of Carmarthen Athletic rugby club where he raped her.

The prosecution said the third alleged rape happened in 2021 and involved a woman the defendant had met on Facebook. It is alleged that when the pair met the defendant drove her to the Baltic Inn hotel in Ponyates, which Gravell was running at the time, and raped her in a bedroom.

Beginning his evidence on Tuesday, the defendant told the court that he grew up in Carmarthen where he attended the local Queen Elizabeth Maridunum School and played rugby for Carmarthen Athletic before going to Cardiff University in September 2001 and training to be a teacher. The defendant said he probably had a reputation around Carmarthen for “sleeping with a lot of girls”.

In response to questions from his barrister Julia Flanagan, Gravell denied the 2001 incident happened at all saying the woman making the allegation had never even been to his house. He denied giving the woman a sexually transmitted disease.

Questioned about the 2005 allegation, Gravell said he met the complainant outside the Rose and Crown pub on Lammas Street in Carmarthen town centre and said they had chatted for around 10 minutes. He described their conversation as “flirty”. The defendant said the pair later had consensual sex.

Asked by his barrister if he was “surprised” to be having sex with someone he had met just 15-20 minutes before, he replied it was “unexpected but not unwelcome” adding it was “not uncommon” for him to have sex with women he had not known for long.

The defendant was also asked about the aftermath of a 2016 trial when he was found not guilty of rape. He told the court he had “naively” thought he would be able to get back to teaching and to a normal life, but he said things were “horrendous” with messages posted about him online, his car vandalised, death threats made, and “Dan G rapist” sprayed around Carmarthen.

The defendant will return to the witness box this morning to continue giving evidence.

Daniel Clive Gravell, of Porth-y-Plas, Johnstown, Carmarthen, denies indecent assault and three counts of rape, and the trial continues.

You can follow today’s evidence on our live court blog below:

Victoria Beckham famously had a viral moment in husband David’s 2023 Netflix show when she claimed to have been raised a ‘working-class girl’ before he reminded her she was driven to school in a Rolls-Royce. 

And now it looks like Coleen Rooney, 40, is about to have her own viral moment in her new Disney reality documentary, The Real Rooneys, which airs on Thursday. 

In a hilarious new two-and-a-half minute clip, released on Wednesday, Coleen talked about how things are going after Wayne was sacked as football manager for Plymouth Argyle back in 2024. 

This changed in lifestyle has freed Coleen to embrace the biggest opportunities of her career, including designing her own Primark range and appearing in I’m A Celebrity two years ago.

‘It’s nice, just having time for me,’ she said in the new clip, as her son Cass, eight, screams, ‘MUM’ in a comically-timed moment. 

He asked her what’s for dinner and Coleen shouted back: ‘Spaghetti bolognese’, before questioning why he didn’t think to ask his dad first and laughing. 

The mum-of-four shouted back at Cass: ‘Spaghetti bolognese’, before questioning why her youngest son didn’t think to ask his dad Wayne first

The clip proves Wayne is just like one of the kids as he chomped on a packet of Haribo sweets and said: ‘Does anyone like the eggs in these? I used to put the rings on when I was younger’

Wayne also encouraged his boys to destroy the lawn by doing doughnuts in buggies and telling them he will blame them when their mum finds out what has gone on

During the clip, Coleen, Wayne and their ‘wild’ four sons,  Kai, 16, Klay, 13, Kit, 10, and Cass give a glimpse at their chaotic daily family life as they opened the doors to their ‘dream’ home in Cheshire. 

Coleen said: ‘Life’s been turned on its head,’ while talking about Wayne’s sacking. 

His former team suffered a run of nine defeats in 15 games in 2024 during his seven-month tenure.

The upcoming 10-episode documentary series covers a pivotal year in the Rooney household, as Wayne steps away from football management, swapping the touchline for school runs.

The clip proves Wayne is just like one of the kids as he chomped on a packet of mixed Haribo sweets and said: ‘Does anyone like the eggs in these? I used to put the rings on when I was younger,’ as he placed one on his finger. 

He also encourages his boys to destroy the lawn by doing doughnuts in buggies and telling them he will blame them when their mum finds out what has gone on. 

It’s clear that Coleen is the sensible one in the family.  

Talking about their incredible Cheshire mansion, she said: ‘This house is everything I dreamed of as a little girl. You draw a house with a door in the middle and windows on both sides.’ 

Wayne then starts singing Blur song Country House as Coleen playfully rolls her eyes. 

Scooting across her lawn on her own scooter Coleen joked: ‘The only problem is, we’ve got to share it with our four boys.

Coleen has been embracing the biggest opportunities of her career, including designing her own Primark range and appearing on I’m A Celebrity, where she came second

It’s clear that she is the sensible one in the family and talking about their Cheshire mansion, she said: ‘This house is everything I dreamed of as a little girl’

Wayne was sacked as football manager for Plymouth Argyle after a run of nine defeats in 15 games in 2024 after a seven-month stint and Coleen said: ‘Life’s been turned on its head’ 

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Scooting across her lawn, Coleen said: ‘The only problem is, we’ve got to share [our dream home] with our four boys’

With unprecedented access, the series follows the family through the highs and lows of married life, raising four lively boys, and supporting eldest son Kai as he pursues his own footballing dream

Victoria Beckham famously had her own viral moment in husband David’s 2023 Netflix show when she claimed to have been raised a ‘working-class girl’ before he reminded her she was driven to school in a Rolls-Royce

She then added: ‘My priority has always been the kids, however, since the court case, [against Rebekah Vardy] and then the jungle, the boys have been proud of their dad for so long. It’s my turn now. It’s opened a lot of doors.’ 

Then speaking about her Primark collaboration, Coleen said: ‘I’ve put my name to this range. The nerves are setting in,’ before the zip on her leather skirt breaks. 

‘But I’m not the only one, whose life has been turned on its head,’ she said. 

‘Was it always part of the plan?’ Wayne is asked. 

‘Yeah, we spoke about her doing more work, but not about me getting sacked,’ he giggled. 

With unprecedented access, the series follows the family through the highs and lows of married life, raising four lively boys, and supporting eldest son Kai as he pursues his own footballing dream. 

Along the way come surprising personal revelations, career-defining moments, lavish celebrations and unforgettable family holidays. 

From their Cheshire home to the beaches of Barbados, Disneyland Paris and the snowy Alps, this is Britain’s most famous and private family as never seen before: warm, funny and authentic. 

Viewers will be able to stream episodes 1-8 exclusively on Disney+ on September 24, with two special episodes available to stream on October 1. 

Top Simba Sleep discount codes and offers

If you’re looking to upgrade your mattress or replace your bedding ready for the colder months, we’ve found the latest Simba Sleep discount codes to help cut the cost of your next order.

Our deals experts verify and update our Simba Sleep offers daily, hand-testing each code and removing any expired promotions. This page is also refreshed regularly with the latest saving tips, to help you secure top deals.

Read more: Best mattresses, tested by a team of experts

Today’s best Simba Sleep deal

Right now, Simba Sleep’s refurbished mattress section is the best place to look for savings. Prices for hybrid mattresses start at £219, offering an affordable way to try Simba’s premium sleep technology.

Each mattress is professionally cleaned, inspected and quality-checked before being resold. All the refurbished mattresses are covered by Simba’s one-year guarantee and offer a 30-night trial.

If you want to buy new, students and keyworkers can get up to 26 per cent off Simba products, including bedding and mattresses. To unlock this saving, all you need to do is verify your eligibility through the Simba Sleep website.

Best Simba Sleep deals and ways to save

Using a Simba voucher code is an easy way to knock money off your total. However, these aren’t always available, so we’ve found all the ways you can save on your next Simba order.

Simba mattress sales

Occasionally, Simba holds seasonal sales with up to 25 per cent off sleep essentials, including mattresses, pillows, duvets and bedding. You’ll usually see these limited-time promotions during key shopping periods such as Black Friday, January sales and bank holidays.

To make sure you never miss out on a sale, sign up to Simba’s newsletter or check this article for updates.

Simba Sleep refurbished mattresses

If saving money is more of a priority than free extras, consider Simba Sleep’s refurbished mattresses. These renewed mattresses are renovated with new materials and deep cleaned to hospital standards, according to Simba Sleep.

This is one of the best ways to save if no Simba voucher code is available to you. Plus, for extra peace of mind, your refurbished mattress is guaranteed for one year, with a full replacement sent should anything go wrong and the fault meet the brand’s replacement criteria.

Simba Sleep student and keyworker discount

Simba Sleep offers a 26 per cent discount for keyworkers, students and charity workers. All you need to do is verify your eligibility, and you’ll receive exclusive promo codes to use on your next purchase.

Individuals who qualify for this discount include:

Simba Sleep refer a friend scheme

You and a friend can benefit from Simba’s referral scheme, with two free AeroDown pillows for you and two for your friend when they make their first purchase with Simba. Simply register using your email address to get your referral link and start sharing.

Remember that your friend must make their purchase through your referral link for the saving to work. The offer also only applies to orders of more than £300.

Free delivery on Simba Sleep orders

Simba offers free delivery to most UK postcodes. Depending on your order, this may be a one-person delivery to your door or a two-person delivery to a room of your choice. Delivery is usually available next day but may take between three to five days during sale periods.

If you’d rather choose your delivery slot or need your mattress on a specific date, named-day delivery is available for £10. You can also add the mattress setup and responsible packaging removal service for another £10.

Best Simba mattresses tested by our IndyBest team

As part of our review of the best mattresses 2026, the IndyBest team has tested the Simba hybrid essential, hybrid pro and hybrid luxe mattresses. Based on our testing, we think the hybrid essential offers the best value for most sleepers, while the hybrid luxe is worth considering when heavily discounted during seasonal sales.

New Simba mattresses come with a 200-night trial and a 10-year guarantee, giving you plenty of time to test out your new mattress at home. Refurbished mattresses come with a 30-night trial and a one-year guarantee.

Why choose a Simba Sleep mattress?

Simba Sleep 200-night trial and free returns

Simba Sleep offers flexible delivery, long trial periods and generous guarantees, making it easier to buy with confidence.

Simba offers a generous 200-night and free returns, so you’ll have plenty of time to decide whether you’re happy with your new mattress and pillows.

Simba Sleep 10-year guarantee

Simba’s 10-year guarantee gives you peace of mind that if your product fails during that time, it will swap it for a brand-new one. Keep in mind this doesn’t cover ordinary wear and tear or soiled items. However, if it’s a fault such as cracked foam, a broken zip or significant dipping, you may be eligible for a swap.

Helpful FAQs

How do I redeem a Simba Sleep voucher code?

Once you have found the offer you want to use, click the “see code” button to reveal the voucher code and copy it. You will then be redirected automatically to the Simba Sleep homepage, or you can head back to your shopping cart in another tab. When you continue to checkout, you will see a designated “discount code” box – paste your code here and click “apply”.

How can I save with Simba Sleep’s referral programme?

Right now, if you refer a friend to Simba Sleep, you’ll both receive two AeroDown pillows for free when they make a qualifying purchase.

Does Simba offer free returns?

Yes, with Simba’s 200-night trial period, you can return the mattress for free if you decide it isn’t right for you.

Is there a Simba student discount?

Simba Sleep offers a sitewide discount of up to 26 per cent for students and young people aged 18-25. To get this offer, you just need to verify your student status or age through the Simba Sleep website.

Can I combine Simba Sleep promo codes?

You can only apply one Simba Sleep promo code per order, but these can often be stacked with on-site sales. Remember to check the terms and conditions of the code to ensure sale items aren’t excluded.

Does Simba Sleep have sales?

Simba Sleep occasionally runs seasonal sales and promotions. In the past, we’ve seen discounts of up to 25 per cent on bestselling products, including the brand’s popular hybrid mattresses. Along with money-off deals, Simba has also been known to offer freebies such as pillows and mattress protectors with selected orders.

Can I get an NHS discount for Simba Sleep?

Yes, Simba currently offers 26 per cent off everything for keyworkers, including NHS staff, social workers, military personnel, teachers and charity workers. All you need to do to unlock the discount is verify your eligibility on the Simba Sleep website.

How we source the best Simba deals

Deputy IndyBest editor Sabrina Sahota (along with The Independent’s team of deal-hunters) is dedicated to finding you the best savings. As Simba is an IndyBest tried-and-tested brand, we’re always on the hunt for ways to help you shop Simba Sleep products for less.

Our team of deal-hunters search online and through Simba Sleep’s own promotions to bring together the latest discount codes, sales and bundle offers in one place. We review and update this page each week to ensure our readers are getting the latest offers. We also hand-test each discount code and promotion daily, making sure to remove any expired offers and add new ones as they become available.

Why you can trust us

Here at The Independent, we’re dedicated to helping you shop savvily. We only bring you deals from brands that we love and trust, with tried-and-tested reviews on as many products as possible. To sift through dud deals out there, our team of deal-hunters uses their expertise to find the best savings on the best-sellers, trending products and worthy investments.

*Offers are updated daily by our in-house deals team. Check the Simba Sleep website to full terms and conditions of promotions and discounts

Has all this talk of sleep got you feeling cosy? Take a look at our guide to the best weighted blankets to ease stress and anxiety