Connect with us

NewsBeat

Swimmers told to keep out of London’s first bathing site on the Thames – after it’s been polluted by toxic algae

Published

on

Pictured: People relax at The Ham and Kingston bathing site on June 23 before the Environment Agency warned people to stay away from blue-green algae

Advertisement

Swimmers have been urged to stay away from London‘s first official bathing site on the Thames because it is polluted with toxic algae.  

The Environment Agency has also warned locals against going into water along a broader stretch of the river, which is also likely to have been struck by the algae. 

The regulator, which is also responsible for flood and waste management, stressed it was ‘vitally important’ to keep dogs away from the water. 

It comes as the Ham and Kingston bathing site opened in Kingston upon Thames last May, becoming the first designated bathing water on the Thames in London. 

Advertisement

And as it opened its doors alongside a tranche of new sites for open water swimming, it became subject to regular water tests until the end of September.

However, the agency has now warned swimmers against bathing at the site due to the presence of blue-green algae, which has toxins harmful to humans and animals.

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, blooms when warm temperatures, low rainfall and calmer water conditions create the ideal growing conditions for it, officials said.

They produce toxins that can kill wild animals, farm animals and pets, and can also harm people, causing skin rashes and illness if swallowed.

Advertisement

Pictured: People relax at The Ham and Kingston bathing site on June 23 before the Environment Agency warned people to stay away from blue-green algae

The regulator, which is also responsible for flood and waste management, stressed it was 'vitally important' to keep dogs away from the water (An aerial view of the site)

The regulator, which is also responsible for flood and waste management, stressed it was ‘vitally important’ to keep dogs away from the water (An aerial view of the site)

The body said that during drought and prolonged dry weather, it has reported increasing numbers of algal blooms, fish deaths and deteriorating water quality.

Advertisement

An Environment Agency spokesman said: ‘We have identified blue-green algae on the lower River Thames including the Ham and Kingston designated bathing water.

‘We are working with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, who have put signage in this location to warn people that it is not safe to swim.

‘An advice against bathing notice has been activated on the Swiminfo website.’

The spokesman also warned that it was likely the section of the River Thames between Hampton and Kingston had also been affected.

Advertisement

‘It is important that members of the public do not enter the Thames along this stretch. It is also vitally important to keep dogs out of the water,’ they urged.

The Environment Agency is taking water samples along the stretch of river to confirm the extent of the algal bloom.

The UK Health Security Agency and abstractors have been notified, the regulator added. 

Advertisement

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

NewsBeat

Shoreham deaths latest: First pictures of tragic refugee family pulled from sea

Published

on

Daily Mirror

Sussex Police say the three family members, named as Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner, Zeina Alayn, 37 and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas, had travelled down to Shoreham from their home in London.

In an update, the force said: “Yesterday afternoon (18 August), three people tragically lost their lives in the sea off Shoreham, and a fourth person remains in hospital in a critical condition having been recovered from the water.

“All four people have been formally identified and we can confirm they were all members of the same family.

Police say the family lived in London(Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

Advertisement

“Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner, Zeina Alayn, 37 and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas were all confirmed deceased at the scene after being pulled from the water.

“A fourth person, a young girl who was also part of the family, remains in hospital in a critical condition.”

Sussex Police said they understand that the family, who lived in London, were visiting Shoreham when they entered the water.

“It is understood the family travelled down from their home in London to visit Shoreham, and entered the water from the beach at Shoreham Fort around 2pm on Tuesday afternoon, before getting into trouble,” the statement adds.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

King Charles ‘has been blindsided’ by Harry and Meghan’s move back to Britain

Published

on

King Charles has seemingly been blindsided by the announcement that Prince Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK

King Charles has seemingly been blindsided by the announcement that Prince Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK. 

The monarch is said to have only been informed on Sunday about the Sussexes’ return to British soil this month.  

Harry, 41 and Meghan, 45, are understood to be returning for an ‘extended period’ later this month, with Archie and Lilibet set to enrol at a British school. 

The family will move into a non-royal residence and will not be working royals.

Advertisement

It is understood that the monarch ‘welcomes’ the chance to see his youngest son and his family and personal capacity. 

However, the King is clear that there will be ‘no alteration’ to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex‘s role and status, as sources stressed there is ‘no half in-half out option’.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will remain private individuals and non-working members of the Royal Family in keeping with their ‘clearly expressed wishes and agreement over past years’.  

Despite clarity over their status, no questions have been addressed on whether the duo will return to the royal fold on a full-time basis should they be willing to give up their commercial endeavours.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, sources have insisted it is not within the couple’s ‘plan’ to return to the royal fold. 

The recent announcement comes just a month after the Duke saw his father in July following his High Court loss against Associated Newspapers. 

King Charles has seemingly been blindsided by the announcement that Prince Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK

Advertisement
King Charles III meets members of the public after carrying out an inspection of the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion on August 16, 2026

King Charles III meets members of the public after carrying out an inspection of the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion on August 16, 2026

He is understood to have visited his father at his Highgrove House residence in Gloucestershire, following an Invictus one-year-to-go event in nearby Birmingham. 

Harry was joined by his wife and two children, in an occasion that would have been the first time Lilibet and Archie had seen the monarch since Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. 

And just mere weeks ago, sources close to Harry said he wanted to visit Britain ‘every few months’ over the next year after his reunion with King Charles last month.

Advertisement

Before opting for a more long-term return, the Duke of Sussex, 41, said his most recent visit with his father and to the UK left him feeling ‘buoyed’, ‘very happy’ and ‘really energised’.

Harry was set to return to Britain in September for around a week, for a series of engagements including Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham next summer, as well as WellChild, the charity supporting seriously ill children

A source previously told The Sunday Times: ‘He wants more of a foothold here, more trips back, less courtroom drama. And he always loves seeing his family.’

Meanwhile, just weeks ago it was believed the Duke wanted his father to stand alongside him at next Summer’s Invictus Games.

Advertisement

A source told the Mirror: ‘Next year is a big deal for Harry. He is determined the Birmingham Games will be the best ever. It would mean the world to him to have his father there.’

Harry and Meghan, who quit as senior royals in 2020 and moved to California, have also recently spoken about their wish to introduce their children to their British roots.

During a visit to Warwickshire, Harry said: ‘I love being here, this is the highlight of my month.

‘Actually probably the last few months. It’s very easy to sit in your grief, to sit in your stress but, guys, if you are feeling it, share it.’

Advertisement

As it stands, the Duke and Duchess no longer require accommodation for their patronages, with the whole family believed to be returning within the next two weeks.

Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, are thought to have already enrolled at a British school – and the family are reportedly planning to stay for an ‘extended period’ until the children finish education.

It is not yet know, however, whether the move will be a permanent one. The location of Harry and Meghan’s new home has remained unknown for privacy reasons.

Harry and Meghan are set to retain their £11million home in Montecito, California, which they have lived in since moving across the pond in 2020. They also still own a residence in Portugal.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Public might turn their nose up at dog fouling reporting app warns Co Down councillor

Published

on

Belfast Live

A Northern Ireland district authority is about to launch an app mooted since 2022 to tackle dog fouling incidents

A Co Down councillor has warned the “public won’t buy” into a new dog fouling pledge as a long awaited council app is about to go live to target increasing mess.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has confirmed 244 complaints made about dog poo in the last financial year, but only five fixed penalty notices.

A committee report now shows the local authority is about to launch an app mooted since 2022 to tackle dog fouling incidents in the district.

Advertisement

In chambers, Mournes DUP councillor Henry Reilly said:”On one aspect of the report, where it says we will improve the cleanliness of our district by continuing to promote recycling and address fly-tipping and dog fouling incidents.

“I have to say that on dog fouling it seems aspirational to me rather than practical.

“Because the amount of dog fouling in the district, especially in this really dry weather is totally unacceptable and the council doesn’t seem to be able to get a prosecution to try and deter these irresponsible dog owners.

“It is easy to say, but unless there is a real product emerging from it and an improvement in those services, the public won’t buy that.”

Advertisement

According to the council’s strategy, policy and resources committee paper, ‘dog fouling and littering’ reports increased almost 55% from from 212 to 328, with 35 fixed penalty notices.

However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has now been given further clarity from the council to show despite only 84 of the reports being for littering, there were 30 fixed penalty notices.

Whereas dog fouling resulted in only 2% of reports leading to a fine despite an increase of 31 complaints of dog mess on the previous year’s total of 213.

Advertisement

A council spokesperson said: “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council recently launched a three-year education and enforcement action plan to address key issues of fly-tipping, littering and dog fouling aimed at protecting the environment for future generations.

“The plan sets out how the council will continue to record dog fouling incidents in order to identify hotspot locations across the district.

“This will be further achieved through the online public reporting tool available on the council website, which is currently live, and through the introduction of an online reporting app.

“The app is due to be procured and implementation initiated during 2026/27.”

Advertisement

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

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Londoners wary of Live Facial Recognition rollout as operations trialled at major transport hubs

Published

on

Londoners wary of Live Facial Recognition rollout as operations trialled at major transport hubs

Tony Kounnis, CEO of Face Int, which commissioned the research, said: “It’s far too simplistic to say that people in London are for or against facial recognition. This research shows that it’s far more nuanced than that – people have specific and understandable concerns, particularly the accuracy of the technology, their own privacy, and the security of biometric data.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Harry and Meghan Markle to ‘move back to UK’

Published

on

Cambridgeshire Live

It is understood there will no change to Harry and Meghan’s role and status as private individuals and non-working members of the royal family

Harry and Meghan Markle are planning to make the move back to the UK, according to reports.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to move back to Britain more than six years after they relocated to California, the Press Association understands.

Advertisement

According to the Daily Telegraph, the couple will move back to the United Kingdom later this month – making their home in a non-royal residence outside of London.

It is understood there will no change to Harry and Meghan’s role and status as private individuals and non-working members of the royal family.

The King was first made aware of the move on Sunday and is understood to welcome the opportunity to see more the family both in a private and personal capacity.

But their status will remain the same, with the couple not being offered a “half-in-half-out” option when it comes to their roles, reports PA.

Advertisement

The Telegraph – which broke the story – reports the couple’s children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are enrolled to start at British schools in September.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Skins legend looks completely unrecognisable 19 years after Channel 4 fame

Published

on

Daily Mirror

Skins star Mike Bailey has left fans stunned with his dramatically different appearance

The actor recently made a rare public appearance.

Advertisement

Former Skins star Mike Bailey has left fans gobsmacked after appearing virtually unrecognisable during a rare public appearance, and it’s not just his looks that have changed dramatically.

Gone is Sid Jenkins’ trademark floppy brunette hairstyle, replaced by a cropped blonde look on the now 38-year-old actor.

Fans of the show were left astonished by how different Bailey appeared during an appearance on the NSN podcast in March.

One fan remarked: “Took me some time to figure out this was Sid, ahahah,” while another concurred: “I can hear Sid but I can’t see him.”

Advertisement

A third person observed: “bro that is NOT the same person,” with another commenting: “So odd seeing him w blonde hair and not swoopy brown bangs a beanie and glasses lol.”

A final viewer remarked: “Can’t tell if I cant recognise him because it’s been nearly 20 years, or because he doesn’t have his hat on.”

Bailey first captured audiences’ attention back in 2007 when he portrayed the much-loved Sid in the cult teen drama. Mike, then just a teenager himself, featured in the opening two series of the show’s seven-season run.

Advertisement

His co-stars included Nicholas Hoult, Dev Patel and Daniel Kaluuya, who have all since carved out stellar Hollywood careers. Yet Mike opted for a completely different path, stepping away from the entertainment industry entirely.

The Bristol native traded acting for teaching, discussing his career change during a 2017 Radio Times chat.

“I kind of thought ‘what the f**k am I doing with my life?’ and ended up getting in a conversation with the wife a couple of years ago and decided that those who can’t act teach,” he revealed, reports OK!.

Advertisement

“10 years ago I never thought I’d still be talking about it, but [Sid] still does pop up every now and again.”

While his acting stint was relatively brief, Mike did appear in several productions, including the documentary 1066: The Battle for Middle Earth and the film We Are the Freaks. He now looks back fondly on his Skins experience as “a collective positive memory”.

But it’s his teaching role that truly resonates with him. During his appearance on the NSN podcast, he enthused: “I love it, it’s the best job I’ve ever had.”

Advertisement

Mike reflected on his varied career, saying: “It’s one of those things, you know those cliché things, I go into work each day and it’s completely different. It literally is.”

Skins is available to stream on Disney+

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Russians are pulling billions from banks over fears Putin will raid their savings | News World

Published

on

Russians are pulling billions from banks over fears Putin will raid their savings | News World
Russians are moving to cash over concerns about Putin’s war (Picture: ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian citizens have reportedly begun to pull money from banks after fears Vladimir Putin will raid savings to pay for the war against Ukraine.

During the first two weeks of August, the country saw the volume of cash in circulation rise by 286.4billion roubles, the equivalent of £2.5billion.

Russian banks have been bleeding cash each day, with the highest outflow of  56.8billion roubles (£491.9million) recorded on August 12.

The month before saw a record outflow, with more than 620billion roubles (£5.4billion) withdrawn from the banking system.

Advertisement

For seven consecutive months, money has been flooding out of the banks, according to central bank data, believed to be due to the ongoing instability.

Analysts suggested economic pessimism and fears that the Kremlin could freeze deposits or impose a cap on withdrawals.

Sign up for all of the latest stories

Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.

Advertisement
epa13129896 The Russian national flag waves atop the Bank of Russia (Central Bank of the Russian Federation) headquarters in Moscow, Russia, 24 July 2026. The Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia decided on 19 June to cut the key rate by 25 basis points to 14% per annum. EPA/SERGEI ILNITSKY
Russian banks have been bleeding cash each day (Picture: EPA)

Rumours spread across Russian Telegram channels of this potential freezebut Anton Siluanov, the Russian minister of finance, branded the posts ‘fake news’ in a statement.

The cash demand has reportedly drained banks’ rouble liquidity, resulting in the Central Bank of Russia expanding lending in the banking sector.

It’s not just the citizens who are moving money, though, as large companies are said to be moving funds abroad to avoid any potential seizures.

This comes hours after Moscow slammed Britain for supplying drones for long-range strikes inside Russia, warning this makes the UK a participant in the war.

Advertisement

Vladimir Putin’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov lashed out as Prime Minister Andy Burnham stressed that he is 100% behind Ukraine ‘against this illegal war led by Vladimir Putin.’

Burnham added: ‘Britain is providing support so that Ukraine can defend itself, and that’s been the British position all the way through this conflict by previous prime ministers, it remains the case with me.

‘We are not fairweather friends.’

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

Advertisement

Foreign Minister Lavrov spoke to Russian television and said: ‘This only means one thing. The president [Putin] warned of our right to act in any part of the oceans if someone encroaches on our interests, on our property. 

‘We have the same right to view the proudly declared direct participation of British missile forces in strikes against Russia as participation in a war, with all the ensuing consequences.’

Advertisement

Russians are becoming increasingly concerned over the new deep reach of drones and missiles deployed by Ukraine to target strategic targets deep inside the country.

Buildings were also hit today in other Russian cities – Tula, the location of multiple defence plants – and Ufa, a major oil capital. 

An oil refinery was hit in Ufa, sparking yet another fire as Russia grapples with critical petrol shortages and long queues. 

In Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, two people were killed and ten injured in a Russian guided aerial bomb attack on a residential area.

Advertisement

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Woman stabbed to death in street in London is named as man is charged with murder

Published

on

Alan Dore, 48, has been charged with murder and attempted murder following the death of Samantha Turner in Shepherd's Bush on Tuesday (Pictured: A cordon on the street)

Advertisement

A 48-year-old man has been charged with murder after a woman was found fatally stabbed on a street in London yesterday. 

Police officers responded to reports of a stabbing at around 8.19am on Askew Road, where two women were found with stab wounds.

Samantha Turner, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene despite the best efforts of emergency services, the Metropolitan Police said. 

Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. 

Advertisement

A 32-year-old woman was also taken to hospital after suffering non-life-threatening stab wounds. She remains in hospital and is continuing to be assessed. 

Alan Dore, 48, was arrested at the scene and today charged with murder and attempted murder. 

Dore, of Shepherd’s Bush, is set to appear at Hendon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 20.  

Advertisement

Alan Dore, 48, has been charged with murder and attempted murder following the death of Samantha Turner in Shepherd’s Bush on Tuesday (Pictured: A cordon on the street)

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

George Hamilton, 87, poses with lookalike son as he visits hometown Memphis after ringing in birthday

Published

on

Hollywood legend George Hamilton flashed his enduring megawatt smile as he posed with his younger son George Jr at Graceland in a photo posted to Instagram

Hollywood legend George Hamilton flashed his enduring megawatt smile as he posed with his younger son George Jr on Instagram.

Hamilton, who celebrated his 87th birthday a week ago on August 12, posted a new album documenting his subsequent trip to his native Memphis.

He returned to his hometown to appear at Graceland for its annual Elvis Week, which spanned August 8 through August 16 this year in order to commemorate the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s death anniversary on August 16.

The excursion proved an opportunity for quality time with George Jr, whom Hamilton welcomed in 2000 with his then-girlfriend, swimsuit model Kimberly Blackford.

Advertisement

Bronzed and dapper in a coat and pocket square, Hamilton was aglow with his trademark cheer as he posed with George Jr at Graceland.

George Jr, according to his Instagram, is now based in Panama and has just embarked on a career restoring properties in Grenada and Nicaragua.

Hollywood legend George Hamilton flashed his enduring megawatt smile as he posed with his younger son George Jr at Graceland in a photo posted to Instagram

Advertisement
Hamilton is pictured in a recent throwback he posted from a 1960s trip to Palm Beach, during the height of his fame as a Hollywood matinee idol

Hamilton is pictured in a recent throwback he posted from a 1960s trip to Palm Beach, during the height of his fame as a Hollywood matinee idol

‘Thank you Memphis, always great to get back to my roots!’ wrote Hamilton in the caption of his Instagram album about his Graceland trip.

One of the Elvis Week events was an onstage interview on August 15 with Hamilton, who regaled the audiences with his Elvis Presley anecdotes.

Hamilton explained that he had been a ‘close’ friend of Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker, through whom he became acquainted with the legendary singer.

Advertisement

Before this month, Hamilton’s previous visit to Graceland had been for Presley’s funeral in 1977, which he attended at the Colonel’s side.

‘He was fighting to keep being business as usual. It wasn’t happening, but he was trying,’ Hamilton said, in fan footage posted by the YouTube account EP Fanatic

‘And he said: “Go in and say goodbye to Elvis,” and it was in the parlor, and he was holding on as best he could. It was the hardest I’ve ever seen. It was not the Colonel,’ said the Home from the Hill actor. ‘He was shocked.’

Hamilton appeared to have rung in his actual birthday in Manhattan, where George Jr posted a photo of them together and a video of his father blowing out the candle on his cake while out to dinner with a group of loved ones. 

Advertisement

His latest travels with his younger son come after he retained a public silence in April when his 51-year-old elder son Ashley Hamilton, whom he welcomed with his ex-wife Alana Stewart, was hospitalized for an overdose.

Hamilton appeared to have rung in his actual birthday in Manhattan, where George Jr posted a photo of them together and a video of his father blowing out the candle on his cake

Hamilton appeared to have rung in his actual birthday in Manhattan, where George Jr posted a photo of them together and a video of his father blowing out the candle on his cake

Ashley, who was once married to Shannen Doherty, was said in April to be in the process of recovery and in stable condition at the hospital, via TMZ.

He has been candid about his struggles with addiction, saying he had racked up ‘half a dozen arrests’ and attended ’32 rehabs’ by the time he was 22 years old. 

Advertisement

Ashley, who shares his nine-year-old daughter Willow with his ex-girlfriend Renee Karalian, had been suffering from a rare mucosal HPV-related cancer.

Weeks before he suffered his overdose in April, he publicly disclosed that he had submitted ‘paperwork’ to a Swiss clinic that offers assisted suicide.

A decade ago, his father broke down in tears while discussing Ashley’s addiction on the blended family’s reality show Stewarts & Hamiltons.

‘I am very proud of you. There are about four times that we almost lost you in your life,’ Hamilton told his son, at a point when the latter was sober. 

Advertisement

‘I had some really hard times,’ said Ashley while promoting the series in 2016 to People magazine. ‘But my dad never gave up on me no matter what.’ 

Last year, Ashley went public with the health battle he has waged against his HPV-related cancer, during an interview on the podcast Punk Rock Sober.

Hamilton retained a public silence in April when his 51-year-old elder son Ashley (pictured), whom he welcomed with his ex-wife Alana Stewart, was hospitalized for an overdose

Hamilton retained a public silence in April when his 51-year-old elder son Ashley (pictured), whom he welcomed with his ex-wife Alana Stewart, was hospitalized for an overdose 

He was still struggling with the illness as of a Soft White Underbelly interview released this March, this time featuring him alongside a death doula.

Advertisement

Hamilton held forth about his harrowing experience with the disease and noted that his nine-year-old daughter was unaware he had cancer. 

It was during that conversation that he said he had ‘sent all my paperwork to Switzerland’ to a ‘clinic’ where patients undergo ‘assisted suicide.’

Ashley explained that ‘what I don’t wanna do is, I don’t wanna die in a motel with a f***in’ needle in my neck and leave that stain on my daughter and leave that stain on people around me. That I don’t wanna do. As easy as that would be for me to do, I don’t wanna do that to people.’ 

The Daily Mail has contacted Hamilton and Ashley’s representative for comment. 

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Inside Celebrity MasterChef star Jason Mohammad’s private life including net worth

Published

on

Wales Online

Jason Mohammad, the Welsh radio and TV presenter, has joined the Celebrity MasterChef line-up for its 21st series.

Welsh presenter Jason Mohammad has taken on a new role, as he joins the contestants taking part in Celebrity MasterChef.

Advertisement

The star is hoping to win over Grace Dent and Giorgio Locatelli with his cooking, as he competes against actor and author Joe Pasquale, The Wanted’s Jay McGuinness, weightlifter and Olympic medallist Emily Campbell, and Love Island star Shakira Khan.

Having already suffered a blow during the first episode, Jason managed to avoid the first elimination, which sadly saw singer Jay leave the competition, reports the Mirror.

Inside Jason Mohammad’s life and career

Jason is a Welsh broadcaster working across radio and television, and was born and raised in Cardiff to a Pakistani father and Welsh mother.

He has previously spoken about his identity, recalling one conversation with a taxi driver in a 2018 interview.

Advertisement

Jason told The Telegraph: “I found myself having to tell him the full back story of my faith, about being a proud Cardiffian, proud to be Welsh, proud to be British, but also proud of my Pakistani Muslim heritage. It’s not something I am usually that open about. Definitely not with taxi drivers.”

He’s also previously spoken about the racist abuse he suffered, telling The Guardian in 2021: “I was called a ‘Muzzie’ and the P-word and remember walking home from school one day and a kid spitting at me for no reason. That’s just what it was like back then for someone like me – the only Muslim kid in my school, one of very few Mohammads on my side of Cardiff, in a hard place where there were lots of racists around.”

He went on: “While I didn’t suffer racism every day I was constantly made aware I was different, and when you’re aware you’re different you feel it [racist abuse] could happen at any moment. That type of thing sticks with you and can damage you in adulthood. That was definitely the case for me, hence me feeling unable and unwilling to talk about my faith for many years.”

Advertisement

Jason began working for BBC Cymru Wales as a correspondent for BBC Wales Today, before progressing to Wales on Saturday.

The 52-year-old subsequently succeeded Gabby Logan as presenter of Final Score from 2013, having formerly worked as a reporter on the programme.

He’s also known for appearing on programmes such as Match of the Day and serving as a broadcaster at the Olympic Games in both London and Rio.

Advertisement

Beyond television, Jason hosts programmes on BBC Radio Wales and has fronted Radio 5 Live Sport segments.

In 2018, he joined Kate Bottley as a presenter on Good Morning Sunday on Radio 2.

According to the BBC’s most recent annual salaries list, which discloses the earnings of its highest-paid personalities, Jason featured within the top 30, with earnings between £290,000 and £294,999.

Away from his professional life, Jason is married to his wife Nicola, with the couple sharing three children – Lili, Max and Poppy.

Advertisement

Celebrity MasterChef is available to watch on BBC iPlayer

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025