Emergency services remain at the scene

Two people have been taken to hospital after a crash involving on a major road in Stockport. The smash, on Turves Road in Cheadle Hulme, happened at around 7:40pm this evening (Saturday, March 14).

The crash involved a van and a motorbike, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMRS) said. Police, paramedics attended the scene along with firefighters.

Two casualties were taken to hospital by ambulance. Their condition is not known. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have been contacted for further information.

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A large cordon is currently in place near the junction with Bruntwood Lane. A white van can be seen inside the police tape.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At 7.40pm on Saturday 14 March, fire crews were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Turves Road, Stockport.

“One fire engine from Cheadle station was quickly mobilised to the incident, which involved a van and a motorbike.

“Firefighters assisted paramedics in caring for two casualties, who were then taken to hospital by North West Ambulance Service, and helped make the area safe. Fire crews were in attendance for about 40 minutes.”

On January 14 actor John Alford was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court for sexually abusing two children – The Mirror’s Patrick Hill attended the hearing and watched on as he attempted to put on a brave face for five family members in the public gallery

Fifty nine days ago, John Alford, once one of Britain’s most famous actors, was sentenced to eight and a half years in jail for sexually abusing two children.

I watched on as he attempted to put on a brave face for five family members in the public gallery by looking at them and tapping his heart while being led down to the cells. But at that moment it was clear he was fooling no one. He was a broken man.

Alford, whose real name was John Shannon, looked completely shell-shocked and I remember doubting he would ever recover. Now, two months to the day, we know for sure he never will, following the announcement that he died in his cell bed on Friday before guards found him unresponsive.

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She described how she no longer trusted men and how her relationship with her own father had been affected by what Alford, then aged in his 50s, had done to her. The other victim, aged just 15 at the time, told how she severely self-harmed for years after the attack and attempted suicide with a batch of sleeping tablets when she was only 16.

Both girls told the court they continue to suffer flashbacks and nightmares related to Alford’s crimes, which were committed against them almost four years earlier, in April 2022. They also both admitted they feared encountering him again one day following his release.

Today marks a sad end for Alford’s family, including his four children, who the court heard are aged between five and 19. But his victims and their families will not mourn him. I hope his death will at least give them some closure and peace of mind. They deserve it.

Officers were called to Albert Road, near Bar Cuda, in the early hours of Saturday (March 14).

Footage widely circulating online shows a street fight breaking out between a group of women in the centre of the street shortly after 2am.

The video then shows several police officers running towards the scene after arriving on flashing blue lights.

Cleveland Police has confirmed two women, aged 41 and 24, were arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly.

Gladiators host Bradley Walsh was told off by referee Mark Clattenburg during Saturday’s semi-final of the BBC show

Gladiators’ audience began to boo as presenter Bradley Walsh was reprimanded by the referee.

The host was questioning the rules of one of the challenges on the programme when ref Mark Clattenburg retorted: “Be quiet!”

Unimpressed, the spectators started booing as Mark pointed his finger at the TV personality and scolded him, reports the Mirror.

The light-hearted clash occurred during Saturday’s semi-final (March 14) of the BBC show, as contenders Mo and Finn competed against the Gladiators in an attempt to secure a place in the final of the current series.

Mo was penalised for dropping a ball during the Collision challenge, telling Bradley afterwards that he believed he should have received the point regardless. “I think I got disqualified with one point. I should have been allowed that,” he said.

READ MORE: BBC Gladiators fans call out ‘unfair’ detail minutes into latest episodeREAD MORE: BBC Gladiators fans claim semi-final was ‘unfair’ as they fume ‘it’s shocking’

Addressing Mark, Bradley tried to clarify the situation, saying: “Please explain what’s going on there, please?”

The ref responded: “You’ve dropped the ball on the bridge. That’s against the rules.”

Bradley questioned whether there might be a loophole, asking: “There’s a case to be said that if you drop the ball and then you regain it and catch it? I mean, seriously.”

However, gesturing at him, the ref retorted: “Bradley, be quiet!”

“The rules are the rules,” he continued as the crowd erupted into a chorus of loud jeers.

Grinning at the fans, Bradley said of Mark: “He’s got out of the wrong side of the bed today.”

The incident also entertained viewers watching at home, with several taking to social media to comment on it.

One posted on X: “The referee telling Bradley to be quiet as he objected the rules!”

“Bradley getting in Mark’s bad books again, classic,” another person commented on the platform, previously known as Twitter.

However, another viewer felt it was a bit excessive, remarking: “This show is getting a bit pantomimey…” Someone else quipped: “Clattenburg getting his audition for Christmas panto villain in nice and early.”

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

Gladiators airs on BBC One.

Race Across The World is returning with a new set of contestants taking on the epic trek

The new Race Across the World contestants are seen trudging through deep snow in a sneak peek at the new series.

The popular BBC show – which sees teams racing across huge distances with tight budgets, no phones and without using planes – is returning for a sixth series, and the broadcaster has shared a brief glimpse of what’s to come in a teaser trailer.

While the starting point has yet to be shared, this time around the contestants will be tasked with making their way from Europe to “to the uncharted edges of Mongolia”. Scenes in the trailer show the racers on horseback, in big cities, jumping off boats and trying to thumb rides.

“The further they go, the closer they’ll get,” is emblazoned across the screen, as one of this year’s contestants is heard saying: “This race, it’s a lifetime of exploring in such a short amount of time.

READ MORE: Welsh word that confused Race Across the World producers is put in the dictionaryREAD MORE: Race Across the World’s Sioned opens up on relationship with Fin as she makes admission

“It’s going to open up a lot of doors not many people have the privilege to unlock.”

Another contestant is then heard exclaiming: “This is an adventure.”

The BBC teased: “In this vast east-to-west journey, five pairs race from the familiarities of Europe all the way to the uncharted edges of Mongolia in Race Across the World series six.

“These teams must forge their own path… But on this journey of extremes, who will finish first? No flights. No phones. No safety net… Let the race begin!”

Fans have said they “can’t wait” after getting a taster of the series, with one posting on Instagram: “So excited for this.”

“OMG…. Can’t wait for this one!!!” said someone else, as another fan remarked: “My favourite programme.”

“Yippee!” exclaimed another viewer, as somebody else commented: “Yesssssss!! Cannot wait – best programme!!”

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Last year’s instalment of Race Across the World saw the teams setting off from The Great Wall of China before travelling across China, Nepal and India to the end point of Kanniyakumari, the southernmost tip of India.

It was won by mother and son duo Caroline and Tom, who won the £20,000 prize when they were the first pair to make it to the final checkpoint.

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

Race Across the World airs on the BBC.

David Moyes praised Riccardo Calafiori for his ‘unbelievable’ block to stop Dwight McNeil’s goal-bound effort in Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Everton on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side left it late at the Emirates Stadium as Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring in the 89th minute before Max Dowman became the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer with his brilliant solo effort in injury time.

Everton were close to going ahead in the first half when McNeil had a chance from seven yards out, but Calafiori produced an impressive scorpion kick to block the strike, which looked to be beating David Raya.

Speaking after the game, Moyes hailed Calafiori’s block and claims it symbolises Arsenal’s determination to keep clean sheets this season.

‘The block from Dwight McNeil from Calafiori is unbelievable,’ Moyes said.

‘And it tells you a little bit about what Arsenal are, they’re fighting for it, they’re defending the goal for their lives.

‘Probably in the end I think Raya made more saves than Jordan Pickford in the game, but the block from Calafiori was amazing.’

In a separate interview with Sky Sports, Moyes added: ‘I thought Raya had more saves than Jordan tonight, and he kept a couple of great saves.

‘The bigger thing for me was the block [Riccardo Calafiori]. It tells you a bit about how good they are defensively. They are wholly defending that goal. So you have to praise them for that.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

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The early hours will see temperatures around 3C, with a small chance of showers and a mild breeze.

By morning, the rain chance rises to 50 per cent at 9am, with temperatures increasing to 6C.

Showers become more likely at 10am and 11am, at 60 per cent and 70 per cent respectively, with winds picking up speed.

By midday, the mercury will rise to approximately 9C, with persistent rain likely and winds at speeds of up to 16mph.

The afternoon doesn’t promise any significant respite, with rain very likely at around 80 per cent, throughout and temperatures remaining around 9C to 10C.

Winds will remain strong, with speeds fluctuating between 14mph and 16mph, along with gusts in the mid-30s mph.

By 4pm, showers are still likely, with temperatures dropping slightly to around 9C.

Winds are set to ease slightly but will still hover around the 14mph mark, with the potential for gusts around the low-30s in miles per hour.

As the evening approaches at 6pm, temperatures will decrease to approximately 7C, with showers becoming a bit more scattered.

Wind speeds will settle to around 11mph, with gusts in the mid-20s mph.

For the rest of the evening, scattered showers remain a possibility, with a 60 per cent chance at 7pm and a 50 per cent chance at 8pm.

Temperatures will settle around 4C come 9pm.

Wind speeds will ease to approximately 9mph, with gusts around the low-20s mph.

As the evening progresses, showers will gradually ease at around 70 per cent chance at 10pm.

“Our upcoming fundraiser isn’t really about us. It’s about everyone who has been affected by cancer”

A group of young men from Derry have launched a fundraising initiative called “Endurance Against Cancer”.

This is to support the vital work of Foyle Hospice, turning their personal experiences with cancer into action.

Friends Oran Hughes, 22 and Matthew Dixon, 23, created the initiative alongside Matthew’s brothers, Shane, 21, and Stephen, 28, after both of their families were affected by cancer.

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Oran’s father, Peter, was recently given a terminal diagnosis, while Matthew’s father, Martin received care as an inpatient at Foyle Hospice, before he died in January of this year.

Through their initiative, all four men will take on a series of extreme endurance challenges with the hope of raising £10,000 for Foyle Hospice, while also encouraging others to channel difficult experiences into something positive.The month of May will kick-start the fundraising efforts as Matthew and his brother Shane will run a Marathon in Switzerland, while Oran will take on Norn Iron 100, an incredible 108-mile Ultramarathon across Northern Ireland, and Stephen will be competing in ATHX in Dublin.

Additionally, Oran and Matthew are preparing to take on an Ironman.

The group are being supported in their training by local endurance athlete Danny Quigley, who is helping them prepare for the physical and mental challenges ahead.

Matthew understands first-hand how important the support of Foyle Hospice can be, something he says made a huge difference to their family during an incredibly difficult time.

“My dad was very well looked after,” Matthew said. “The staff went out of their way not just for him, but for all of us as a family. We were able to stay together and the Hospice even provided an apartment for us.

“It became like a second home during those months. Everyone was so kind and caring — even small things like offering tea or coffee meant so much.”

Martin, who worked as a taxi driver with City Cabs for 33 years, was well known across the community and remembered fondly by many.

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Before Martin’s death, Matthew recalled how he promised his father he would take on a fundraiser saying: “When my dad was dying, I told him I wanted to raise money for the Hospice and he told me he would be very proud.

“Losing my dad has affected me and my family every day, but I wanted to do something positive from it and these fundraising challenges will make that happen.”

He continued: “It’s crazy how many people have been affected by cancer and how many families have been helped by the Hospice. Our upcoming fundraiser isn’t really about us. It’s about everyone who has been affected by cancer and showing that even when you feel powerless, you can still do something to help.”Meanwhile, for Oran, the motivation is deeply personal, after his father, Peter, was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Throughout his career, Peter devoted much of his life to caring for others — something that has greatly inspired Oran’s determination to now give back and help others in return.

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A former District Charge Nurse, Peter has served within the Western Trust since 1999, working across Strabane, Eglinton and Limavady, including 15 years at Waterside Health Centre. While Oran has previously completed Ultramarathons, with his longest distance to date being over 60 miles, he admits the Norn Iron 100 challenge will push him further than ever before.

“I’ve always enjoyed running, but this is about much more than that,” Oran said.

“When someone you love has cancer, you can feel powerless and vulnerable because there’s nothing you can do to change it. We realised that the one thing we could do was try to raise money and awareness to help other families going through the same thing.”Matthew’s brother, Stephen expressed his gratitude to Foyle Hospice saying: “I am doing this for Foyle hospice as they were amazing in the care they gave my dad in his last few months and they offered amazing support for our family in the heartbreaking time that we had. Dr Karen in particular was so helpful and paid attention to our needs as well, which I was extremely grateful for.”Shane recalled the care his father received saying: “Our father was a very charitable man who had spent his last month and a half in Foyle hospice and we would like to do him very proud – he was extremely grateful for the amazing people at the Hospice.”

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The efforts of these four young men highlight the growing role of young people in supporting local charities, using sport and endurance challenges to make a real difference within their community.

Anyone wishing to support the group’s fundraising efforts can donate here.

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