Get ready for a new week (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
A new month dawns, giving us a clean slate, followed by the shift of Mercury into Cancer, which brings family and home themes under the spotlight.
This may mean nostalgic memories surface and you want to recreate what was once so magical.
Summer isn’t far away now either — lazier days, longer nights, an invitation to be playful and have more fun. Let’s accelerate towards that lovely feeling now; a practice run if you like!
Let the tarot cards guide us towards the real fun awaiting us this week. What person, place or activity is going to give us a real good time?
Or, come join my magical, mystical tarot club, free for a whole month when you sign up using this link.
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Aries
March 21 to April 20
Get the party started (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Aries for this week: Seven of Cups
Meaning: The good times this week are already living inside your imagination — you are the zodiac’s ultimate party starter, after all. So, all you need to do is get what you are dreaming of doing into your real life. Tell them about it. Book it. Reserve it. Share it. Organise it.
Don’t worry about folk saying no thanks, or laughing, or belittling your idea. People are actually envious of your big dreams, your larger than life ideas, and your uncanny ability to pull it all off! Do something that will make this week a week to remember forever! I dare you.
You’re radiating main character energy right now (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Taurus for this week: Judgement
Meaning: You just want to do something for yourself, possibly by yourself (or with a mirror soul), and enjoy it without anyone judging, interfering or wanting a piece of the action or your time. Is that too much to ask? No it is not, Taurus.
Judgement wants you to be authentic and fully present, to invest in something that you alone crave doing and want to enjoy. A spa day, shopping, reading in a cosy spot, going on a hike, getting a major makeover, signing up to a class or course that fascinates you. Do it. Enjoy it. Embrace it. Make yourself the main character.
You might have a secret admirer (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Gemini for this week: Ten of Cups
Meaning: Your love life and inner circle is where it’s all at this week, Gemini, it is your sign’s season after all, so you’re kind of the centre of attention — rightly so! You may find yourself falling (deeper) in love, wandering out with a new friend who feels like a soulmate, receiving news of a secret admirer that makes you feel excited, or creating an alliance with someone at work and knowing you’ve got each other’s backs.
Folks underestimate your loyalty, your steadfast devotion to people and ability to enhance their life. You’re an asset, a treasure, and a gem of a person. Act like it, know it, believe it, and enjoy the fruits of it this week.
Put your blinkers on and do you (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Cancer for this week: Eight of Swords
Meaning: The good time for you this week is found by switching off the ‘overthinking’ and ‘assumption’ gears in your brain. All the way off. Stop assuming you know what folk really think about you. In fact, stop caring too!
Your self worth and inner value comes from your own perspective and understanding of your nature, progress and struggles. All you can do is measure the version of you now with the past version — do you think you’re growing, learning, improving? If so, celebrate and keep going. If not, don’t worry, just set a small goal this week that will take you from A to B, in some way. Prove you can do it. And repeat.
Meaning: Take a break this week! Kick back, switch on the ‘out of office’ (mentally if not physically), and make your leisure time feel like a true vacation… sunbathing, cocktails, late nights, long walks, romantic gestures, ‘what if’ thinking and ideas.
You have been working so hard recently, investing a lot of mental energy into something, and you’re closer to a mini burnout than you may realise. Sidestep that outcome by simply resting, enjoying your time, turning away from the problems for a while (some may resolve themselves, and you’ll return to what’s left with a clearer head and new set of ideas). Vacation time.
Make the most of this lucky streak (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Virgo for this week: The Sun
Meaning: The Sun promises that you are due to have a wonderful week, maybe the best of 2026 so far! A bold promise, yes, but this is a great card. It’s like a portal is opening up in front of you — and if you’re bold enough to take a leap and jump through it, you will land in a realm of success, joy and happiness.
What bold leap can you take? Maybe it’s a pitch, an idea launched, an application, a trip booked, a date arranged, a person welcomed, a decision made. Something that represents hope and optimism for you, that represents a move forwards to a better place. You are being blessed with good fortune this week, use it to make a wonderful step to a brighter future.
Your task this week is to embrace the joy of life (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Libra for this week: Three of Cups
Meaning:You are the good time, this week, Libra! Ruled by Venus, you’re blessed with beauty, pleasure and wealth. You innately know how to be good company and how to make sure folk have a good time. So, your mission this week is to be social, to get around as many folk as you know and like.
Don’t make this a chore. Truly choose to spend time with people you love, have missed, or know match your upbeat vibes. Do new things together to create new memories and connections. Visit magical places, try something offbeat, do the luxury option, test the new venue in town. Live life well with folk you like. It can all be that simple.
Fence-sitting won’t cut it here (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Scorpio for this week: Two of Swords
Meaning: The good times are waiting for you, this week, on the other side of a big decision you’ve been putting off making or even facing up to. Not like you, because you’re typically a fearless progressive, always moving forwards with your ambitions. Maybe this is a head vs heart decision. Maybe you feel truly torn between options. Procrastination isn’t, however, helping matters. You may lose out altogether if you don’t ‘pick a side’ soon.
So, dedicate the first half of this week to researching, discussing and executing your preferred choice. Don’t overthink. You can always make a new choice if it proves to be wrong. Don’t worry. And then spend the second half of the week enjoying yourself and toasting your good judgement! I have a feeling you will do the right thing!
Tarot card for Sagittarius for this week: The Chariot
Meaning: If this week is all about enjoying yourself then The Chariot is a very apt card for you. It represents travel: journeys, outings, new vehicles, adventures, quests, holidays and major moves in home and/or location. You adore moving around, broadening your horizons, seeing new places and this card is a strong invitation to do so!
The Chariot also represents purpose and aligning your place or home with what you want your life to be about. Are you in the right place? Would a move open up fresh options? Consider carefully. You could be focused on travel very soon, certainly by July.
They’ll soon realise their mistake (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Capricorn for this week: Three of Swords
Meaning: The route to contentment, peace and simply feeling happy in your own skin this week is to surgically remove the known thorns in your side. And you know what (or who) they are.
The Three of Swords is permission to ghost, block and withdraw. Do what is necessary to distance yourself from toxicity, in all its guises. A toxic situation will change you long before you could change it. If you’ve been treated badly, lied to, betrayed, backstabbed, or cast aside… walk away. Give them the gift of your absolute absence. They deserve it.
A childlike creative energy flows through you this week (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Aquarius for this week: Page of Cups
Meaning: Your inner child knows that summer is on the way and is already awake with plenty of ideas for fun! Tune into your childhood memories, photos, music, friendships and hobbies this week with the wide-eyed, wholesome Page of Cups.
Get creative with how you could reinvent and repurpose something from your past for your present. Nostalgia is a lovely feeling and sometimes a signal that something from long ago can still be meaningful and useful and rewarding for you in the here and now. Tune in.
Tarot card for Pisces for this week: Nine of Wands
Meaning: Pisces, deploy a simple trick this week. Do the hard work first. Get up early, be first to it, and get the bad chores, the worst tasks, the dreaded stuff, out of the way. This is how you’ll have fun this week.
When you dread doing something, it infects your whole realm, your overall mood. Remove that fly from your ointment by resolving to do whatever it is that feels heavy or difficult way ahead of schedule. The Nine of Wands promises it will go a lot easier and quicker than you imagine, which will be a cause for celebration in and of itself.
Kerry King has been reading, teaching and creating tarot for 30 years. Join her magical, exclusive Tarot Club for forecasts, predictions, lessons and readings straight to your inbox. Enjoy one month free for all Metro readers (no lock-in or commitment) over on Patreon.
Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
Manchester United are eyeing a £50million move for West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville, who’s boosted his stock with two goals in two games for the Netherlands at the World Cup
West Ham are expected to demand around £50million for the Dutchman, especially after his exploits in North America. Summerville has scored two goals in as many games for the Netherlands, the latest coming in Saturday’s 5-1 demolition of Sweden.
His prolific spell for West Ham at the beginning of the calendar year gave Nuno Espirito Santo’s men an improved chance of staying up, although he wasn’t able to maintain his form. Despite that, Butt has told United to pursue a deal for Summerville.
Speaking to Paddy Power, Butt explained: “He’s an explosive player, he’s good to watch, but I don’t think he’s consistent enough. However, the money shouldn’t be a lot to get him, and United have to build a squad.
“It can’t be all about going and getting the superstar signings. Summerville was brilliant for the Netherlands in the first game, so he could potentially start every week for Man United. I’m looking at him thinking he’s got to get a lot more consistent to get to the next level. But I’d still definitely look at signing a player like him.”
The ex-Red Devils midfielder added: “We’ve got to build the squad, the bench has got to be stronger. When you play a team and see their starting 11 but then they’ve got another four that can come on and make a difference, that’s massive.
“When United played Leeds at Old Trafford last season and they got beat, the players on the bench and around the squad weren’t good enough. When they’re all fit they’re really good but they still need to build the squad so I’d be going for some players like that as well.”
How much isCrysencio Summerville worth? Have your say in the comments section.
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Summerville, who joined from Leeds in 2024, is under contact at the London Stadium until 2031. The winger isn’t the only West Ham player who United are interested in. Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes is a target, although Arsenal and Tottenham also have him on their shortlists.
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Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass ‘designed for football’
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Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.
Clare began experiencing severe flu complications in summer 2023 following her Turkey holiday to Marmaris
Carrington Walker Live News Journalist and Jamie Greer General reporter
22:15, 21 Jun 2026Updated 22:18, 21 Jun 2026
A woman from Widnes who became ill after a holiday in Turkey says she does not know how long she has left to live.
Clare Adams, 45, began experiencing health problems in summer 2023 after returning from Marmaris, where she had contracted flu.
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She later developed persistent breathing difficulties, and doctors were initially unable to determine the cause. Speaking to the ECHO, Clare said: “I went on holiday to Turkey and caught influenza. After coming back, my breathing was really bad. I couldn’t breathe at all. I couldn’t take two steps without being really breathless. I was getting really bad heart palpitations and just feeling poorly.
“I ended up in hospital for a week, where they treated me then for influenza and sent me home. Then I went to the doctors afterwards, who thought I had a long covid.”
A subsequent doctor suggested Clare might have a problem with the right side of her heart, though numerous tests and scans failed to reveal any abnormalities.
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Clare was eventually diagnosed with an incurable condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension in November 2023. According to the NHS, this disease involves high blood pressure in the blood vessels supplying the lungs. It’s a serious and uncommon condition that can cause damage to the right side of the heart. Symptoms can include breathlessness.
Influenza doesn’t directly cause pulmonary arterial hypertension, but it can spark serious complications in the lungs. Reflecting on her reaction to the diagnosis, Clare, who has a partner called Chris, said: “It was more of a relief that I knew what was wrong with me. But the biggest shock was when the doctor told me that I couldn’t have children. I don’t have any children myself. That was the hardest thing to deal with.”
Yet, despite receiving treatment, Clare’s condition deteriorated over the following year and a half. She explained: “My breathing was getting worse. I was checking my heart rate and my oxygen levels all the time, they were really low.”
By May 2025, Clare received a diagnosis of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD). PVOD is a rare, life-threatening form of pulmonary hypertension.
Doctors gave Clare a prognosis of just a few weeks or months at most, but although devastated, she remained determined to defy the odds. She said: “It was obviously a big shock to the system but I just refused point blank [to accept it]. I thought, I’m not letting you decide when I die.”
Following a consultation with another specialist, Clare began treatment with epoprostenol, a medication that widens blood vessels. While uncertain about her remaining time, she’s hopeful of receiving a transplant soon to extend her life further.
Clare said: “We have had very slight improvements over the last 12 months and along with a massive one stone loss, I’m fighting my way to get a double lung transplant.
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“I am in a wheelchair and on oxygen 24/7, having to wear a mask, as my body doesn’t hold oxygen at all. I didn’t think I was a strong person, but to get through this last year…I wouldn’t say it’s been like a massive fight, but it’s been a steady fight of continuously just laughing through everything, working on my mindset and watching what I eat.”
Clare is now channelling her experiences into writing a children’s book titled My Auntie. The publication explores what living with her condition entails, and she hopes it will increase understanding about life with a disability.
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Clare said: “One of my nephews broke his kneecap playing rugby. To keep him occupied, because he couldn’t go to school, I said to him, ‘come on, we’ll write a book together about little things that we used to do.’ So the first book we wrote was called Auntie Cra Cra and Frankie Go to the Park.
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“And then he said, ‘why don’t we talk about the way that you look?’ So that’s where my auntie book comes from. It’s really just a book to tell people that even though I look different, I can still do the same things as what a normal auntie can do.
“It hits children really hard when people are sick. My nieces and nephews have never once treated me any differently. They’ve just got on with everything that has been thrown our way. I think the children can teach the adults sometimes.”
Scotland’s final game of the World Cup group stage comes against heavy-hitter Brazil, and there’s a special Coral World Cup offer for the clash in Miami, featuring enhanced odds of 66/1 on two or more goals being scored.
Ahead of kick-off on Wednesday night, new users will need to create a Coral account via one of the links on this page and complete the qualifying steps to be in line for a payout at 66/1 in free bets should the encounter feature the necessary number of goals.
Coral betting offer: 66/1 two or more goals Scotland vs Brazil
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Punters who sign up for a new account with Coral via one of the links on this page can get 66/1 on two or more goals in the Scotland vs Brazil match.
Complete the registration process, make a first deposit of at least £10 and place a maximum £1 single bet on the 2+ goals market for Scotland vs Brazil.
If the qualifying bet lands, punters will receive a cash payout on the £1 bet and 13 free bet tokens worth £5 apiece, equalling £65 in World Cup free bets.
These free bets can be used on any sports market, but must be used within four days of being credited.
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How to claim the Coral welcome offer
Open a new Coral account using one of the links on this page.
Verify your account and confirm that you are a UK or Republic of Ireland resident, aged 18 or over.
Make an initial deposit of 10 or more using a qualifying payment method.
Place a £1 single bet on the 2+ goals market for Scotland vs Brazil before the match kicks off at 23.00 BST, Wednesday, June 24.
If the qualifying bet lands, winnings are paid out on the £1 cash bet at the original odds, with the extra winning credited as free bets to equal a payout at 66/1.
Key terms of Coral sign up offer
Offer applies to new customers only, who must be UK and Republic of Ireland residents aged 18 or over
Promotional period runs to 21:00 BST on 17 June 2026
Account must be verified and the customer must not have deposited previously
Minimum first deposit of £10. Deposits via Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, pre-payment cards and certain debit cards do not qualify for the offer
Qualifying bet is a £1 real money single on the two plus goals market for Scotland vs Brazil before the match kicks off at 23.00 BST, Wednesday June 24
Qualifying bets cannot be cashed out. Bets that become void will not qualify for the offer
Cash returns are paid at the original odds. If the qualifying bet wins, 13 x £5 free bets are credited within 24 hours
Free bets can be used on any sports market but cannot be used on Virtual Sports, Specials, Tote or Pools
Free bets must be used within four days of being credited
Free bets are not eligible for cash out
Coral World Cup offers and promotions
If you already have a Coral account, do not worry, as there are plenty of World Cup offers available on Coral promotions throughout the tournament.
Head to the Coral promotions page to find the latest World Cup game covered by the money-back bet builder guarantee. Opt in, then place a maximum £1 bet builder bet on the selected game. If the bet doesn’t win, bettors get their stake refunded as a free bet.
Rewards Shaker is free-to-play game that hands out guaranteed prizes to bettors every day. Prizes include super boost tokens, cash rewards, Coral Coins and free bets.
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Football Super Series is another free-to-play score prediction game where bettors can win up to £100 if they correctly guess four correct scores. Prizes are also awarded for getting two and three results correct.
Throughout the World Cup, Coral will be offering daily enhanced odds on selected World Cup match markets, flagged in the Coral football promotions hub.
Coral World Cup offer vs rival bookmakers
Coral have a decent selection of offers for the World Cup, but how do they compare to what other World Cup betting sites are doing?
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Nearly every bookmaker will have odds and accumulator boosts, and the majority offer early payouts. Instead, we’ve chosen to focus on unique World Cup betting offers from bookies.
We aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Standard a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK’s best online gambling companies.
Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.
Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.
Clare Adams, 45, from Widnes, started to fall ill in the summer of 2023 after going on holiday to Marmaris
22:06, 21 Jun 2026Updated 22:08, 21 Jun 2026
A British woman who fell ill after a sunshine break in Turkey now has no idea how long she has left to live.
Clare Adams, 45, from Widnes, started feeling “really bad” after catching flu on a trip to Marmaris, and says she’s never felt the same since. For months she battled terrifying breathlessness, but medics were unable to explain why her condition kept getting worse.
Speaking to the ECHO, Clare explained: “I went on holiday to Turkey and caught influenza. After coming back, my breathing was really bad. I couldn’t breathe at all. I couldn’t take two steps without being really breathless. I was getting really bad heart palpitations and just feeling poorly.
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“I ended up in hospital for a week, where they treated me then for influenza and sent me home. Then I went to the doctors afterwards, who thought I had a long covid.”
A subsequent medical consultation led another doctor to suspect complications affecting the right chamber of her heart, though numerous examinations and scans failed to reveal any irregularities, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Clare ultimately received a diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension in November 2023, an incurable condition. The NHS describes this illness as elevated blood pressure within the vessels supplying the lungs.
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It represents a severe and uncommon disorder capable of compromising the heart’s right side. Breathlessness features amongst its characteristic symptoms. While influenza doesn’t directly cause pulmonary arterial hypertension, it can lead to severe lung-related complications.
Reflecting on receiving her diagnosis, Clare, who has a partner called Chris, said: “It was more of a relief that I knew what was wrong with me. But the biggest shock was when the doctor told me that I couldn’t have children. I don’t have any children myself. That was the hardest thing to deal with.”
Yet despite receiving treatment, Clare’s condition deteriorated over the following 18 months. She explained: “My breathing was getting worse. I was checking my heart rate and my oxygen levels all the time, they were really low.”
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Come May 2025, Clare received a diagnosis of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) – a rare and life-threatening form of pulmonary hypertension.
Medics gave Clare a prognosis of mere weeks to months at most, though devastated by the news, she remained determined to defy the odds. She said: “It was obviously a big shock to the system but I just refused point blank [to accept it]. I thought, I’m not letting you decide when I die.”
Following consultation with another specialist, Clare began treatment with epoprostenol, a drug designed to dilate blood vessels. While uncertain about her remaining time, she’s pinning her hopes on securing a transplant to extend her life further.
Clare said: “We have had very slight improvements over the last 12 months and along with a massive one stone loss, I’m fighting my way to get a double lung transplant.
Advertisement
“I am in a wheelchair and on oxygen 24/7, having to wear a mask, as my body doesn’t hold oxygen at all. I didn’t think I was a strong person, but to get through this last year…I wouldn’t say it’s been like a massive fight, but it’s been a steady fight of continuously just laughing through everything, working on my mindset and watching what I eat.”
Drawing from her personal journey, Clare is now penning a children’s book titled My Auntie, which chronicles what living with her condition entails. She hopes the publication will shed light on life with a disability.
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Clare said: “One of my nephews broke his kneecap playing rugby. To keep him occupied, because he couldn’t go to school, I said to him, ‘come on, we’ll write a book together about little things that we used to do.’ So the first book we wrote was called Auntie Cra Cra and Frankie Go to the Park.
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“And then he said, ‘why don’t we talk about the way that you look?’ So that’s where my auntie book comes from. It’s really just a book to tell people that even though I look different, I can still do the same things as what a normal auntie can do.
“It hits children really hard when people are sick. My nieces and nephews have never once treated me any differently. They’ve just got on with everything that has been thrown our way. I think the children can teach the adults sometimes.”
Alex Hughes, who was 38, was Grimsby’s player recruitment lead, having previously held roles at clubs including Manchester City, Fulham, Blackburn Rovers and 1860 Munich.
In a statement released via the League Managers Association, former City and Stoke boss Mark Hughes said: “Jill and I are totally heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved son Alex.
“Alex was a wonderful son, brother to Curtis and Xenna, devoted husband and father to Jessica and their two beautiful children Sebastian and Leonardo.
“Alex was Player Recruitment Lead at Grimsby Town FC, and had many good friends and colleagues. He will be so deeply missed by us all.
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“We ask for privacy during this sad time as we come to terms with our family’s loss.”
Alex Hughes had a brief playing career, on the books of Stockport and Wrexham, before joining Blackburn in 2007, working as a performance analyst during his father’s time as manager.
He followed Mark to Manchester City in 2008 and worked with him again at Fulham before forging his own path abroad. He joined Grimsby in 2025.
Mark Hughes has said he and his family are “heartbroken” following the sudden death of his son Alex. (Image: PA)
In a statement, Grimsby Town said: “Everyone at Grimsby Town Football Club is devastated to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of our Player Recruitment Lead, Alex Hughes.
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“Alex was a devoted husband, proud father, beloved son, brother, and friend, and a highly valued member of the Grimsby Town family.
“Alex joined the Mariners in 2025 and quickly became a valued and highly respected member of the football club.
“Working closely with Head Coach David Artell and the football department, he played an important role in shaping the Club’s recruitment strategy and supporting the continued development of the men’s first-team squad.”
The statement added: “Beyond his professional achievements, Alex was deeply valued by those who knew him.
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“His warmth, professionalism, and positive personality made a lasting impression throughout the football club and the wider football community.”
Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said: “It’s a very unusual, very rare spell of very hot weather, so it’s one of those ones where people should take care, try to keep their houses as cool as possible, check in on those that are vulnerable, so the very young and very old, in particular, are more vulnerable to extreme heat.
London is set to bask in temperatures reaching 39C in what would be Britain’s hottest June on record (Picture: PA)
Londoners have been told to reduce car journeys amid fears severe pollution could ‘raise Ozone levels’.
Sadiq Khan announced a high air pollution alert for Monday, as the capital is set for a week of sweltering 39C temperatures.
The Mayor of London urged Londoners to look after vulnerable residents, cut down car journeys and avoid engine idling to help mitigate the predicted poor air quality.
‘Hot, sunny weather and pollution from continental Europe are expected to raise ozone levels’, he wrote on Sunday afternoon.
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‘Please help protect yourself and others, especially vulnerable people, by reducing car journeys and avoiding engine idling.’
The capital and much of southern and central England have been placed on an amber alert for extreme heat for four consecutive days between Monday and Thursday.
People bathing in the sun on Wimbledon Common on Sunday (Picture: Shutterstock)
The Met Office warned of ‘adverse health effects’ which could affect the wider population including sunburn and heat exhaustion.
It also said that heat-sensitive equipment and systems were at risk of failing, leading to the possibility of power cuts and a loss of some services.
The mercury is forecast to rise to 38C by Tuesday in London and stay at that level until Thursday.
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If borne out, it would mark Britain’s hottest June on record, beating the previous highest figure of 35.6Cwhich was reached both in 1976 in Southampton and in 1957 in Camden Square, London.
The summer of 1976 saw Britain experience one of its most intense heatwaves to date, with 15 consecutive days hitting 32C or higher and 36 days without rainfall recorded across England and Wales.
A water shortage led to Parliament passing the Drought Act, which brought in water rationing and the use of standpipes.
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Some £500million of crops were destroyed that year.
Women hold up sun umbrellas as they cross Westminster Bridge (Picture: Reuters)
This year has already seen the hottest spring on record, with temperatures tipping over 30C in May.
Last year’s summer was the hottest since records began, with a mean temperature of 16.1C recorded between the start of June and the end of August.
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Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge warned that spells of extreme weather were becoming ‘more frequent’ due to climate change.
‘That’s unfortunately just the way things are going at the moment and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down’, he said.
The Funny Way To Be Comedy Club will host four evenings of new material at The Witham in Barnard Castle throughout July and August.
Acts will include established names and rising stars as they prepare for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and upcoming UK tours.
Craig Hill (Image: Steve Ullathorne)
Peter Dixon, who manages Funny Way To Be Comedy, said: “July is always an exciting month for live comedy, with performers preparing for new tours and Edinburgh Fringe appearances.
We’re delighted to welcome such a high-quality mix of established favourites and rising stars to Barnard Castle.
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It’s one of our strongest summer seasons yet.”
Brennan Reece (Image: Supplied)
The season kicks off on Thursday, July 9, with a double bill featuring Larry Dean and Brennan Reece.
Dean is a three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee known for his sharp storytelling and self-deprecating humour.
Reece, an Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee and winner of English Comedian of the Year, is known for his heartfelt routines and comedic family tales.
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Gareth Mutch (Image: Supplied)
On Saturday, July 18, the popular Sneak Peeks format returns with Scottish comedians Craig Hill and Connor Burns.
They will be joined by special guest Daniel Petrie, winner of the 2023 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year.
Later in the month, on Saturday, July 28, Funny Way To Be Comedy’s annual showcase will feature four performers in one day: Gareth Mutch, Bilal Zafar, Hayley Ellis, and Jess Carrivick.
Larry Dean (Image: Supplied)
Discounted day tickets are on sale until the end of June, after which individual show tickets will be available.
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Jess Carrivick (Image: Supplied)
The season wraps up on Friday, August 21, with Carl Hutchinson previewing material for his forthcoming Fine Whine tour.
Tickets for Hutchinson’s show have already sold out.
Tickets for all other performances are still available through the Funny Way To Be Comedy website.
The North Yorkshire County Show returned on Sunday (June 21) at Otterington Hall near Northallerton.
The show was temporarily cancelled back in 2024 due to a shortage of volunteers, but after it returned in 2025, it was back again for 2026 on Father’s Day.
(Image: Andy Futers)
The 2025 return proved a triumphant one, with the show scooping a hat-trick of awards including Best Agricultural Tourism Experience of 2025 at the UK Enterprise Awards.
More than 100 trade, craft, and food stalls filled the showground this year, alongside livestock judging, show jumping, vintage tractors, baking competitions, and emergency services displays.
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Other main ring highlights included the Grand Parade of Champions, high-stakes show jumping, and the Parade of the Hurworth Hunt Hounds.
The show secured sponsorship from H&H Insurance Brokers for its 2025 and 2026 editions.
The show has roots back to 1840 when it was known as Northallerton and District Agricultural County Show, but for many years it was simply known as Northallerton Show until 1974, when local county boundaries were re-drawn and it became known as the North Yorkshire County Show.
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