Rory McIlroy may be one of the most popular athletes in the world, but the five-time major winner has been compared to Sir Keir Starmer by his former agent

Rory McIlroy’s former agent has compared the five-time major winner to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer. Andrew “Chubby” Chandler managed McIlroy from his professional debut in 2007 until they parted ways in October 2011.

McIlroy left Chandler’s International Sports Management (ISM) agency as he felt he was being steered in the wrong direction. The Holywood golfer moved on to join fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell at Horizon Sports Management, but that partnership only lasted two years.

Chandler is confident McIlroy can reach double digits in terms of majors, but believes he needs to retreat from the limelight occasionally. The Northern Irishman has often used any media platform granted to him to air his views about certain subjects, particularly when LIV Golf started changing the golf landscape.

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Speaking to BOYLE Sports, Chandler believes McIlroy, who will defend his Masters title next month, needs to do less public speaking and keep many of his thoughts to himself. Chandler said: “Rory talks too much, but he’s an absolute gift for the media.

“If he gets a microphone in his hands, he’s a liability in terms of saying anything. He’s more of a liability than the Prime Minister.

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“For a while, he was unbelievable. Everything he said, he had to go back and apologise for a month later, including his marriage. Rory just needs to calm down a bit – he thought he was saving the game at one stage but he just talked too much.

“He started to pause and reconsidered what he was saying but I don’t know what his motivation was originally. But I suppose when you’re Rory McIlroy and you constantly have a microphone in front of you. It’s very difficult to refuse it. So I understand. You’re just telling him to calm down a bit.”

Following his Masters triumph to complete the grand slam last year, McIlroy confessed he found it difficult to stay motivated in the subsequent months. He rediscovered his form with a brilliant victory at the Irish Open before enjoying team success at the Ryder Cup in New York at the year’s end.

McIlroy has displayed flashes of brilliance in 2026, but a concerning back problem has cast doubt over his appearance at The Players Championship this week. Chandler believes the current world number two will add to his haul of five majors – and potentially double that figure.

“Rory should play a bit more freely. It shouldn’t be life and death. My guess is that he’ll win another five majors. I don’t think he’ll get to 15 majors, but I think he’ll get to 10,” the Englishman said.

“At the end of the day, one of the things you’ve got to factor in is how many majors Scottie Scheffler is going to get. Rory is 36 so if he’s got six really good years left in him, that’s 24 chances to win more majors.

“You would think Scottie is going to win at least six of them. So, the analogy is that players like Ernie Els and, for that matter, Lee Westwood, struggled to win majors when Tiger Woods was in his prime because he won so many of them.

“It’s a similar situation now; it’s easy to say Rory might win a certain number of majors, but if he’s consistently going head-to-head with Scottie Scheffler, he won’t win as many.”

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Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.

The tax department may write to you if you owed a tax refund

HMRC has provided an update regarding tax refunds for pensioners. The department clarified its rules in response to a query from a taxpayer.

The person said they planned to retire at the end of April, becoming a “non taxpayer”. They queried whether it would be more beneficial to adjust their salary for the upcoming 2026/2027 tax year now to “claim back the tax”.

In response, the department first asked them to specify if they would have a “continuing UK source of income” post-retirement. The person confirmed that their income would solely come from pensions and that their total income would fall “below the personal allowance”.

According to the personal allowance, you can earn up to £12,570 each tax year without being liable for income tax on this amount. HMRC offered this advice to the taxpayer: “So once you retire and you’ve got your P45, you can contact the helpline and we can take the details over the phone.

“We’ll use the P45 info and instruct your pension provider to refund any overpaid tax through your pension payments.” Another aspect to consider when planning for retirement is your state pension.

Changes to the state pension

You become eligible for the state pension upon reaching 66 years of age. Nevertheless, this is set to change imminently, with the qualifying age rising from April 2026.

It will gradually increase to reach 67 by April 2028. The full new state pension presently stands at £230.25 weekly, equivalent to £11,973 annually.

The triple lock policy will boost payments by 4.8 per cent from April, lifting the full new rate to £241.30 per week, or £12,547.60 annually, marginally beneath the personal allowance threshold You can check how much state pension you’re projected to receive using an online tool on the Government website.

Should you have been taxed incorrectly by the end of the tax year, which ends on April 5, HMRC will typically get in touch regarding the discrepancy.

The revenue service will dispatch either a tax calculation letter, commonly referred to as a P800, or a simple assessment letter. You will only receive one of these letters if you’re in employment or drawing a pension.

The letters are dispatched between June and March of the next tax year. If you’re registered for self assessment, HMRC will automatically amend your bill and no letter will be issued.

If you think you are owed an amount but you don’t get a letter, there is an online tool available on the Government website to determine whether you’re entitled to claim a refund.

“Air purifiers are definitely beneficial, particularly for airborne allergies,” says Dr Costa, who formerly ran paediatric allergy services for a major NHS hospital. “The air purifier will collect and remove small particles from the air, reducing your exposure to things that could potentially be harmful.”

But he is clear that not all air purifiers perform to the same standard. “The effectiveness of using an air purifier depends on the quality of the device,” he says. “Not all of them are the same and not all filter out the smallest particles that can cause particular problems, such as cat dander. It is also important you use them alongside any medical treatment recommended by your doctor.”

While most air purifiers will filter out the most problematic small particles (called PM 2.5 and PM 10), some also clear even tinier particles (PM 1), as well as smoke and chemicals known as VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from the air.

Some of the best air purifiers also have extra features like cooling fans, warming heaters, dehumidifier functions and Wi-Fi connectivity, meaning you can control the device from an app on your smartphone.

“Unfortunately, further work is required to ensure the high level station is safe for trains to operate. Our priority is to make sure that we can reopen Glasgow Central as soon as it is safe to do so and we will continue to work with emergency services, the local council and our train operators to restore services.

When the sirens sounded around the city of Beit Shemesh on the second day of the war, Rabbi Yitzhak Biton suggested to his son they find a safe space at home rather than go to the nearest shelter.

But Yaakov felt worried and preferred to go.

Follow live updates on war in Middle East

He and his two younger sisters, Avigail and Sarah, headed out for the shelter beneath the local synagogue. Their parents stayed in the house.

Three minutes later, the missile hit.

“There was a tremendous explosion and an enormous blast wave,” Biton remembers. “The ceiling fell in, the windows flew out, everything collapsed. It was a miracle we survived.”

The synagogue was destroyed and in flames.

Biton waited as rescue workers slowly began to bring out bodies. Eventually the police asked him to leave.

“We waited at home until they came to take a DNA sample. Then I understood where this was going.”

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Missile strike devastates Israeli town

School and synagogue razed

Nine people were killed at the missile strike on Beit Shemesh, including Yitzhak Biton’s three teenage children.

A school and a synagogue were razed to the ground. It was the deadliest strike on Israel since the war began.

We meet Biton and his wife, Tamar, sitting shiva, the Jewish seven-day mourning ceremony, in a Jerusalem hotel.

A steady stream of visitors come to sit with the family and offer their condolences. Their one remaining child, four-year-old Rachel, chases around the lobby on a scooter.

“The girl understands and knows, she sees the change,” Biton says, “but she is coping with it bravely. She knows they have gone to a higher place.”

Faith has helped the couple cope. Tamar does not wish to be interviewed but smiles beatifically for a photograph.

Read more from Sky News:
The impact of war on your finances
Why it took so long to deploy UK warship

Rabbi prefers to talk about children

Her husband is happy to talk to us about his children but as a religious man, he will not be drawn on politics or the decision his government made to attack Iran which has come at such terrible cost to his family.

“I do not interfere in such matters,” he says.

“They were very very special. But I understand that everything is according to the will of the Creator. It is known that in war, in the end, everyone comes out losing. There is no war in which a person comes out a real winner.

“Sometimes the victor is the defeated one.”

Public attention on grooming gangs has often centred on the north of England, but last month’s BBC investigation revealed a complex picture in London, with gangs from a range of ethnic backgrounds, including white, operating widely in the capital and frequently exploiting young women.

I hope this can mark a new chapter for the town

I was only two years old when Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman were killed in Soham by the evil Huntley. I don’t remember it, but it’s always something that I remember being spoken about over the years. Especially living in Cambridgeshire, it was something I always knew happened just down the road.

Huntley died in hospital on Saturday (March 7) after being attacked in prison and as soon as my shift started on Monday, I headed out to Soham to speak to people in the aftermath.

We wanted to speak to the people of Soham and hear their perspective, both on the death, but also how it impacts their town, which has been “haunted” by the tragedy. I went into it apprehensive, as I knew it was a sensitive topic for people in the area.

It took a while for me to find people happy to speak. I tried knocking on doors and talking to people in the high street. For some, it was clear they didn’t want to talk as soon as I explained what the topic of conversation would be.

This was totally understandable, it’s not a nice thing to talk about and the impact on the town was clear immediately. For the people who were comfortable talking to me, they were still apprehensive, but they made their thoughts clear.

They said Huntley was a horrible man and his death was something people were happy about. On the flip side though it was immensely clear how sad people were that his evil crimes were what Soham was known for.

With his death, the town and families affected have been pushed into the spotlight once again. The final thought now that Huntley is dead, they just want the town to be able to move on.

While out in the town I walked to Soham Village College where Huntley worked at the time of the murders. The school was set back, but as I looked at its pretty building through the gates, I felt sad.

I looked around and it really hit me that these are the roads he walked, these are the grounds he worked on and this was also the place where he dumped the poor girls’ clothes. I felt sad. So many young people have since come and gone from this school, but it is his murderous crimes that the school is most known for.

After seeing the school, I walked around to College Close, where Huntley used to live. I understand that his house was demolished not long after the girls’ deaths but when I walked around to the road, I didn’t realise how close it was, as it backs onto the school.

I also saw a sign for the Ross Peers Sports Centre, the place the girls were supposed to go to get sweets that tragic night. I felt even more sad and couldn’t imagine what it was like to live in this town at the time.

Hearing from people how much this murder affected such a lovely town, the pain was obvious. It’s clear this town has been hurting since 2002.

Two innocent girls had their lives taken away by an evil man. Now that he’s dead, I hope the town can move on.

The letter, coordinated by campaign group Culture Unstained, comes amid reports that the museum has removed the word “Palestine” from several of its gallery displays.

Last month, UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) raised concerns about references to Palestine in the British Museum’s displays, claiming that this risked “obscuring the history of Israel and the Jewish people”.

According to UKLFI, the museum has since changed panels in its Egypt galleries to replace “Palestinian descent” with “Canaanite descent”.

The letter described amending these displays as an “act of historical revision and potential erasure”, and said: “The British Museum (must) avoid complicity in genocide, either through its representation of Palestinians and their history or by providing direct support to those that perpetrate or profit from that genocide.”

It also took aim at the British Museum’s director, Nicholas Cullinan, and said: “(He) is reported to be ‘disgusted’ by these media reports – but many are more disgusted by his museum’s indefensible decision to host a private party for the Israeli Embassy last year while the fugitive Israeli Prime Minister is charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

“Many are also disgusted that his museum continues to partner with BP, a company that has profited from its supplying of fuel to the Israeli military throughout the bombing, violence and destruction in Gaza.

“The museum has ignored repeated calls to remove BP’s name from the museum’s lecture theatre.”

The British Museum renewed its sponsorship with BP in 2023, having signed a 10-year-long £50 million deal with the firm to help fund its redevelopment.

The oil company has faced controversy as it owns and operates the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which supplies Israel with crude oil.

The letter, which has also been signed by musician Brian Eno, called for the museum to “make its position clear” regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, and to express “clear and unequivocal solidarity with the Palestinian people”.

It also pushed for the museum to issue a statement apologising for its relationship with BP and to remove its name from the BP Lecture Theatre sign which it has on display.

The letter also said the British Museum should apologise for hosting a private event for the Israeli Embassy last year, and should recognise the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry which condemned the actions of Israel’s government.

It also advised the museum to consult with experts about how it presents Palestinian culture, including the “correct labelling of historic Palestinian artefacts as a necessary step towards returning them to their rightful owners”.

A British Museum spokesperson previously said: “It has been reported that the British Museum has removed the term Palestine from displays. It is simply not true.

“We continue to use Palestine across a series of galleries, both contemporary and historic.”

The British Museum has been contacted for comment.

Ellis was a major hit for Channel 5 when it first aired in 2024 but its series two debut proved to be “uninspiring”.

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Ellis series two has launched and it appears that fans have been expressing the same sentiment about the new season.

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Ellis.

When it first premiered in October 2024, Ellis garnered glowing praise from Channel 5 audiences as straight-talking DCI Ellis (played by Sharon D Clarke) travels across the country assisting local police forces tackling challenging cases.

Therefore fans were eager for its comeback with Ellis launching its second series tonight, Tuesday, March 10, with the opening episode centring on the killing of a generous businessman.

Peter Barron (James Doran) had introduced a fresh programme to support young offenders by giving them jobs at a garden centre but not everyone in the community was pleased with the venture.

It wasn’t long before DCI Ellis and DS Chet Harper (Andrew Gower) were summoned as Peter was discovered dead at his property, launching this week’s case.

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

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Despite its earlier success, it wasn’t long before fans began voicing complaints about the opening episode of Ellis series two.

“I am not as gripped by the new episode so far,” a viewer remarked.

Another concurred: “Disappointed. Loved the last series, but this has got off to a rather wooden and uninspiring series two.”

A third shared: “New to this but it seems very cliched. Will try and stick with it but so far it’s like it has been written from a kit.”

Another remarked: “Don’t really think much this programme,” whilst someone else commented: “That didn’t really feel like an ‘end of episode one’ scene in #Ellis.

“I suspect this was originally intended to be broadcast as a single two-hour story like the first series, rather than split in two.”

However, some were delighted to see the drama’s comeback, with one fan noting: “Good to have #Ellis back, I’ve been looking forward to it.”

The second series of Ellis will comprise four episodes altogether, with the run divided into two separate investigations. Viewers will be able to discover what became of Peter Barron tomorrow evening, Wednesday, 11 March.

Following this, Ellis will return with a fresh storyline on Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18.

Ellis season two continues on Wednesday, March 11, at 9pm on Channel 5.

Manchester City take on Real Madrid tonight in the Champions League round of 16 first leg.

Manchester City return to Spain tonight when they take on Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 first leg at the Bernabeu. The Blues enter the game full of confidence after beating Newcastle 3-1 in the FA Cup on Saturday night. That team was heavily changed with the midweek clash in mind.

Erling Haaland did not travel to St James’ Park, sparking fears he could miss the game against Real. The Norway international did not travel to Leeds due to a minor ankle issue but he did play against Nottingham Forest last Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola said after the game against Newcastle he wanted Haaland to rest as he monitors his recovery. MEN Sport has rounded up the latest injury news and return dates from the City camp ahead of tonight’s big game.

Erling Haaland

Injury: Knock

Haaland took part in first-team training on Tuesday ahead of the clash with Real Madrid. He has travelled with the squad to Spain for tonight’s match.

Potential return date: March 11 vs Real Madrid

Mateo Kovacic

Injury: Ankle

It has been a frustrating season for Kovacic after suffering an ankle injury in October. Guardiola confirmed the midfielder would be back for the latter stages of the campaign and was training with the squad ahead of the trip to Madrid.

Potential return date: March/April

Max Alleyne

Injury: Knock

Alleyne has not been in the squad since the victory over Salford in the FA Cup. He picked up a knock in that game but did feature in first-team training on Tuesday before the trip to Real Madrid.

Potential return date: March

Josko Gvardiol

Injury: Leg

Gvardiol is a long-term absentee for City having fractured his leg in the January draw with Chelsea. The defender is in a race against the clock to be back before the end of the season and this summer’s World Cup.

Potential return date: May/June