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Today, Keir Starmer says that he will “never walk away from the country that I love” after surviving a turbulent 24 hours that saw the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar call for him to step down.

Speaking to the BBC, his energy secretary Ed Miliband said the Labour Party had “looked over the precipice” and decided to back their leader leading to a rallying of support from the cabinet and other senior party figures.

So, the Prime Minister is in the clear for now, but is he truly safe? Alex and James break down another turbulent 24 hours in Westminster before catching up with Daniela Relph senior royal correspondent and Caitríona Perry, BBC News chief presenter in Washington to discuss the wider fallout from the Epstein files in the US and for the royal family.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you’re in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were James Cook and Alex Forsyth. It was made by Anna Harris with Shiler Mahmoudi and Chloe Scannapieco. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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Just over three months since her transplant surgery, she is now growing in strength each day and walking has helped with her recovery.

A Co Down woman says she has been given the ‘amazing gift of life’ having recently undergone a heart transplant.

Valerie McIlveen from Donaghadee lived with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) for 20 years after being diagnosed at the age of 46. DCM is a disease of your heart muscle where your heart chambers become enlarged and your heart’s muscle wall becomes thinner and weaker.

The 66-year-old golfer and former Ladies Captain of Donaghadee Golf Club said: “I was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy in 2006 and because of my deteriorating condition, I was assessed in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle Upon Tyne in September 2025.

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“After being accepted onto the Urgent Heart Transplant List I was admitted to the Pre-Transplant Unit at the Freeman Hospital. Just four weeks after admission, I was in the fortunate position to receive an offer of a donor heart last November.”

Just over three months since Valerie’s transplant surgery, she is now growing in strength each day and walking has helped with her recovery.

Now Valerie is on a mission for Heart Month in February to complete the British Heart Foundation’s ‘Walk for Hearts’ challenge. She is walking a mile a day throughout this month to raise much-needed funds for BHF’s research into cardiovascular disease.

Valerie, who has already raised over £1,400 to help fund research into cardiovascular disease, said: “I’m feeling fit enough to take up the BHF challenge to walk one mile per day in the month of February. I’m so thankful to everyone who is supporting me in my recovery.

“The journey to regaining full recovery will be long, but each month brings increased quality of life. I would also like to highlight the huge nationwide need for organ donation.

“During my time spent in the Pre Transplant Unit, I met and became friends with other patients who have been waiting years for a heart transplant. I would therefore like to encourage everyone to seriously consider becoming organ donors and having the necessary conversation with their loved ones.”

Valerie added: “I am so grateful for the amazing gift of life offered to me by the donor’s family.”

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Fearghal McKinney, Head of BHF Northern Ireland, said: “Valerie’s strength and resilience throughout the last number of months is really inspirational. We’re so thankful for her fundraising support of BHF’s Walk for Hearts challenge during Heart Month and for raising vital awareness of the urgency of cardiovascular disease and the need for organ donors.

“If you are one of the 230,000 people in Northern Ireland living with cardiovascular disease and you are able to exercise, walking could be especially helpful, as it is low impact and you can build up slowly at a pace that’s suitable for you. Valerie was checked by medical professionals and deemed well enough for this challenge and it’s important to speak with your own doctor for personalised advice.”

Fearghal added: “Every three minutes, someone in the UK dies from cardiovascular disease. Through our incredible supporters like Valerie, British Heart Foundation can power research that will enable people to live longer, healthier lives.”

To support Valerie, go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/valerie-mcilveen-1#sharePage. Participants can sign up for ‘Walk for Hearts’ until February 14th. To find out more, visit www.bhf.org.uk/walkforhearts.

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

As excitement continues to build ahead of the show’s US broadcast on MASTERPIECE | PBS, the much-loved cast took part in a light-hearted challenge that saw them step into each other’s shoes, with predictably hilarious results.

All Creatures Great and Small (Image: CHANNEL 5)

In the clip, viewers are invited to imagine an alternative Darrowby, as Nicholas Ralph delivers lines as Tristan Farnon, while Callum Woodhouse takes on the role of James Herriot, completely flipping the script on the familiar period drama.

The playful video sees the actors reading out iconic lines normally spoken by their co-stars, giving them “a taste of life on the other side of the scene” and offering fans a glimpse of the strong camaraderie that exists off-screen.

MASTERPIECE | PBS shared the clip with the caption: “Nicholas Ralph as Tristan? Callum Woodhouse as James? The script’s been flipped! Join the All Creatures Great and Small actors as they swap roles and get a taste of life on the other side of the scene.”

Fans were quick to respond, with many praising the cast’s sense of humour and chemistry, and joking about how “convincing” and “mischievous”.

The video is the latest in a series of promotional clips released following the end of Series 6 in the UK, which concluded with a Christmas Eve episode set in 1945 as the Second World War came to an end.

While the show is known for its storytelling and emotional depth, moments like this have delighted viewers by revealing the fun and warmth shared by the cast behind the scenes.

All Creatures Great and Small, filmed across the Yorkshire Dales including Grassington, Broughton Hall and Oakworth Station, continues to enjoy huge popularity both at home and overseas.

With Series 7 and 8 already confirmed in the UK, fans on both sides of the Atlantic are eagerly awaiting a return to Darrowby.

Everyone recognises the trope of the stressed-out senior manager who’s always close to breaking point. But, in fact, mid-career is one of the most vulnerable periods for burnout and stress in a worker’s life. At this stage, many people have extra responsibilities outside work at the same time as their employer increases expectations around performance, availability and leadership.

Mid-career is often where this double load increases the risk of burnout. Research has found that these professionals experienced particularly high levels of burnout, worked longer hours and reported lower job satisfaction compared to other age groups. A key driver was the ongoing tension between meeting the demands of their job and maintaining a work–life balance.

Importantly, burnout is now widely recognised not as an individual failing, but as a workplace problem. The condition is characterised by emotional exhaustion, cynicism and lower productivity, with research showing that it is shaped primarily by organisational structures, cultures and leadership practices rather than a worker’s weakness or a lack of coping skills.

Burnout does not affect all groups equally. Women, for example, report higher levels of both personal and work-related burnout than men, particularly in mid-career. This could reflect women taking on more of a family’s caring responsibilities as well as expectations about availability and emotional labour.

The COVID pandemic intensified these dynamics. Many mid-career professionals had to juggle work and family responsibilities at the same time as their social interactions were curtailed and their workloads and working hours stretched. Since the height of the pandemic, all sectors and roles have seen increases in burnout rates, with health and social care organisations being hit particularly hard.

Absorbing the pressure

Stress and burnout come at a cost to employers through lost working days, absenteeism and “leavism” (people working while on leave). Mid-career professionals are especially exposed because they are often expected to absorb pressure without showing strain. This could be, for instance, leading a team through organisational change at the same time as meeting their own performance targets and supporting junior colleagues.

In many organisations, chronic overload and constant busyness are normalised and even rewarded. Permanent availability becomes a marker of competence rather than a warning sign.

Despite this, there remains an assumption that mid-career professionals are inherently resilient. However, prolonged exposure to high levels of stress can make them less resilient. Experience does not necessarily protect against burnout; in many cases it just conceals it.

Symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia and anxiety are frequently minimised or ignored until stress reaches a breaking point. Those known for their ability to “power through” often suppress warning signs to maintain a professional identity. These workers often delay asking for help, in part because things commonly associated with burnout (long hours, constant responsiveness and chronic overwork, for example) are often normalised.

While short-term stress can sometimes enhance performance, so-called “good stress” sits close to a tipping point. When pressure becomes chronic and recovery time is limited or absent, stress becomes a direct pathway to burnout.

My research looking at line managers’ development highlights these risks. Middle leaders and mid-career professionals were consistently described as overloaded and under-trained for their management responsibilities. Many had entered leadership roles with little or no formal preparation, and had to learn how to manage people on the job.

Promotions often brought significant increases in responsibility without corresponding investment in training. And where there were opportunities for development, they were frequently ad hoc and inconsistent. This combination fuelled anxiety and self-doubt – well-established precursors to burnout.

As part of the project, we interviewed more than 150 line managers from both the public and private sectors. Our findings strongly suggest that burnout is shaped by workplace systems, norms and expectations. Organisational practices and processes, along with culture and leadership patterns, play an important role. Unrealistic targets, excessive monitoring and a culture of long hours amplify stress. And leadership practices that prioritise constant performance pressure actively increase burnout risk.

Work climate matters more than hours alone – risk factors include bullying, sexual harassment and toxic leadership styles. Notably, burnout is closely linked to engagement from leaders, or the absence of it. For example, one study found that mid-career professionals, particularly women, suffer burnout when their effort goes unrecognised by managers.

Leaders who listen, acknowledge effort and offer recognition can significantly reduce the risk of burnout. Essentially, feeling that your work matters and is valued makes a measurable difference.

Leaders can design work for sustainability rather than endurance. This includes making sure workloads and targets are realistic, as well as stamping out cultures where constant availability is prized.

Mid-career leadership roles must be properly supported, and workers should be given protected time for training and development rather than being expected to learn through trial and error. Their managers should try to create a safe environment – listening seriously, responding early to concerns and intervening before stress escalates into burnout.

Finally, strong team working and a sense of community at work provide meaning that buffers against burnout. In mid-career, when pressures converge from multiple directions, connection is not a luxury but a necessity. The importance of joy at work is often overlooked. Opportunities to create meaning, connection and enjoyment are not indulgent extras; they protect against chronic stress and burnout.

Norwegian Olympian Sturla Holm Laegreid confessed in a live television interview to cheating on his girlfriend, moments after winning a bronze medal.

Laegreid finished in third place in the biathlon, which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, and then broke down in tears at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday.

The Norwegian told fans he already “had a gold medal” up until last week – but squandered it by being unfaithful.

Speaking to Norwegian state broadcaster NRK in his native language, just moments after finishing his biathlon, he said: “There’s someone I wanted to share it with who might not be watching today.

“Six months ago, I met the ​love of my life – the most beautiful and kindest ​person in the world.

“Three months ago, I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her. I told her about it a week ago. It’s ‌been the worst week of my life.”

The 28-year-old then issued a heartfelt plea but stopped short of naming the woman.

“I had a gold medal in my life, and there are probably many who look ​at me with different eyes, but I only have eyes for her,” he added. “Sport has taken a slightly different place [in my life] the last few days. I wish I could share it with her.”

Read more from Sky News:
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Laegreid later said he might not have been in the right state of mind to give the interview after the race, which came in the wake of the death of his teammate, Sivert ‍Guttorm Bakken, in December last year.

“Maybe it was really selfish of me to give that interview,” he said a few hours later. “So yeah, I ​don’t know. I was, I’m a bit, I don’t know… I’m not really here mentally.

“So yeah, we will see what happens.”

Laegreid came third in the men’s Olympic 20km individual biathlon race in northern Italy. His fellow Norwegian Johan-Olav Botn took gold while France’s Eric Perrot claimed the silver.

The race came as US skier Lindsey Vonn confirmed she will need “multiple surgeries” following her crash in the women’s downhill skiing final on Sunday.

The 4th Nation’s Curry Awards 2026 honoured the UK’s top curry talent in a ceremony on February 9

The 4th Nation’s Curry Awards 2026 have celebrated the finest talent in the Scotland’s curry industry, recognising the creativity, dedication, and excellence that make the cuisine a cornerstone of Scottish dining. From traditional curries to modern innovations, the awards shine a spotlight on the individuals and businesses driving the country’s rich and diverse curry culture.

Oceanic Awards has announced the winners of the 4th Nation’s Curry Awards 2026, celebrating excellence across the UK’s vibrant curry industry. The ceremony took place on Monday, February 9, 2026, at the Cedar Court Huddersfield Hotel, recognising the talent, innovation, and dedication of individuals and businesses that made the UK’s curry scene a cornerstone of the nation’s culinary landscape.

In Scotland, Firangi in Cambuslang was named Curry Restaurant of the Year. The restaurant, which boasts a 4.8-star Tripadvisor rating from 47 reviews, aims to offer “a journey of flavour, culture and tradition.” Its website explains at Firangi, “food is more than just a meal — it’s an experience that brings people together,” with dishes crafted from hand-ground spices and locally sourced ingredients.

The restaurant’s dedication to authenticity and family culinary traditions helped it stand out among Scotland’s top Indian dining spots.

Bombay Lounge in Dalkeith was awarded Indian Restaurant of the Year, recognised for its transformation of a historic building into a modern, spacious restaurant complete with a beer garden and barbecue area. The family-run restaurant, led by Edinburgh-born Michael Singh and his brother Si, combines over 22 years of experience in Indian cuisine with a focus on “something new for Dalkeith,” according to their website.

With 4.3 stars from 836 Tripadvisor reviews, Bombay Lounge impressed judges with both its menu and its commitment to blending tradition with contemporary flair.

Zain’s Curry House in Dalry took the title of Takeaway of the Year. Known for its award-winning Indian cuisine, the takeaway has been celebrated in the Scottish Curry Awards, Spice Awards, and Scotland Food Awards. Its website describes the menu as “a celebration of both authentic Indian cuisine and beloved fast-food classics,” highlighting dishes from kormas and biryanis to burgers and pizzas.

Although it has a modest 3.3-star Tripadvisor rating from 63 reviews, Zain’s focus on quality ingredients and flavour earned it the top takeaway spot in Scotland.

Yasmin Mahmood, CEO of Oceanic Awards, said: “We’re proud to once again celebrate the finest in the UK’s curry scene, recognising the creativity, innovation, and exceptional service that have become synonymous with this beloved cuisine.

“The UK’s curry industry is a vital part of our culture, and these awards recognise the exceptional talents of the individuals and businesses that make it so special. We’d like to congratulate all of our winners on their incredible accomplishments.”

The awards span regions and categories, highlighting the best of curry restaurants, takeaways, and chefs, while also recognising outstanding achievement and excellence in specific areas such as street food, family-friendly dining, and vegetarian cuisine.

In addition to the top honours, the awards also shine a spotlight on local favourites, emerging talent, and long-standing contributions to the industry.

The full list of winners includes:

• Curry Restaurant of the Year – North: Aarti (Leeds)
• Curry Restaurant of the Year – Midlands: Gandhi Indian Restaurant (Stoke on Trent)
• Curry Restaurant of the Year – South: The Coriander Club (Reading)
• Curry Restaurant of the Year – Wales: Bangor Tandoori Restaurant (Bangor)
• Curry Restaurant of the Year – Scotland: Firangi (Cambuslang)
• Curry Restaurant of the Year – Overall Winner: Aarti (Leeds)
• Indian Restaurant of the Year – North: Bollywood Cottage (Skipton)
• Indian Restaurant of the Year – Midlands: Kolshi Premier Indian Restaurant (Warwick)
• Indian Restaurant of the Year – South: Elai (Basingstoke)
• Indian Restaurant of the Year – Wales: Caernarfon Tandoori Restaurant (Caernarfon)
• Indian Restaurant of the Year – Scotland: Bombay Lounge (Dalkeith)
• Indian Restaurant of the Year – Overall Winner: Kolshi Premier Indian Restaurant (Warwick)
• Takeaway of the Year – England: Kingsthorpe Spice (Northampton)
• Takeaway of the Year – Wales: Indian Saffron Restaurant (Deeside)
• Takeaway of the Year – Scotland: Zain’s Curry House (Dalry)
• Takeaway of the Year – Overall Winner: Kingsthorpe Spice (Northampton)
• Outstanding Takeaway of the Year: Chutney Express (Birmingham)
• Outstanding Achievement: Masala Bay (Kent)
• Recognised for Excellence: Rizq Flavours Of India (Sunderland)
• Takeaway and Home Delivery of the Year: Bengal Palace (Norwich)
• Outstanding Achievement: Ali’s Kitchen (Stoke On Trent)
• Recognised for Excellence: The Indian Kitchen (Liverpool)
• Outstanding Curry of the Year: The Lounge Bar and Restaurant (Tipton)
• Outstanding Achievement: Sheesh Mahal (Hartlepool)
• Recognised for Excellence: Shamoli (Knutsford)
• Outstanding Restaurant of the Year: Lalbagh Indian Restaurant (Cambridge)
• Outstanding Achievement: Mount Gurkha Bistro (Wolverhampton)
• Recognised for Excellence: Planet Bollywood (Stoke-on-Trent)
• Best of Manchester: Spice n Spirits (Manchester)
• Outstanding Achievement: The Original Third Eye (Manchester)
• Recognised for Excellence: The Great Kathmandu (Manchester)
• Best of Birmingham: Patiala Indian Restaurant (Birmingham)
• Outstanding Achievement: Pushkar Cocktail Bar & Dining (Birmingham)
• Recognised for Excellence: Indian Cafe Racer (Birmingham)
• Best of Lancashire: Rivaj of India (Wigan)
• Outstanding Achievement: Zest of India (Blackpool)
• Recognised for Excellence: The Pepper Bistro (Preston)
• Best of Yorkshire: Bengal Brasserie (Wetherby)
• Outstanding Achievement: International Restaurant (Bradford)
• Recognised for Excellence: De Baga Restaurant (Leeds)
• Leicestershire Restaurant of the Year: Spice Bazaar (Leicester)
• Outstanding Achievement: Hyderabadi Adda (Leicester)
• Recognised for Excellence: Varanasi Boutique Restaurant (Leicester)
• Best of the West Midlands: Titash Indian Restaurant (Birmingham)
• Outstanding Achievement: The Ameena Restaurant (Halesowen)
• Recognised for Excellence: Divine Restaurant (Solihull)
• Best East Midlands: Kushboo (Kettering)
• Outstanding Achievement: Kottaram Restaurant (Nottingham)
• Recognised for Excellence: Mem Saab (Leicester)
• Pakistani Restaurant of the Year: Ayaan’s (Bolton)
• Outstanding Achievement: Apni Basti Karahi & Grill (Nottingham)
• Recognised for Excellence: Lahori Tawa and Grill Restaurant (Blackburn)
• Afghani Restaurant of the Year: Afghan Shinwari (Luton)
• Outstanding Achievement: Kabul Karahi & Grill (Manchester)
• Recognised for Excellence: Kabul Dera (Aylesbury)
• Nepalese Restaurant of the Year: Panas Gurkha Restaurant (Chislehurst)
• Outstanding Achievement: Mount Gurkha Bistro (Wolverhampton)
• Recognised for Excellence: Da Mount Gurkha (Liverpool)
• Bangladeshi Restaurant of the Year: Bangla Lounge (Birstall)
• Outstanding Achievement: Jaflong Bangladeshi (Ripon)
• Recognised for Excellence: Bangla Pride (Telford)
• South Indian Restaurant of the Year: Vijay Indian Restaurant (London)
• Outstanding Achievement: ILLAM Restaurant (Harrogate)
• Recognised for Excellence: Tharavadu Restaurant (Leeds)
• Sri Lankan Restaurant of the Year: Colombo Street (Worcester Park)
• Outstanding Achievement: Choice of Taste Sri Lankan Restaurant (High Wycombe)
• Recognised for Excellence: Kottu Hut (Bristol)
• Punjabi Restaurant of the Year: Namaste Punjab (Chichester)
• Outstanding Achievement: Royal Punjab Restaurant (Walsall)
• Recognised for Excellence: Punjabi Dera (Manchester)
• Curry Kitchen of the Year: Kanchan’s Kitchen (Birmingham)
• Outstanding Achievement: Gharrana – Indian Kitchen (Altrincham)
• Recognised for Excellence: Indian Kitchen (Bristol)
• Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year: Chai Panni (Leicester)
• Outstanding Achievement: Namaste Village (Norwich)
• Recognised for Excellence: Sanskruti Restaurant (Manchester)
• Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Chequers Indian Lounge (Ipswich)
• Outstanding Achievement: Masala City (Chichester)
• Recognised for Excellence: Banarasi (Newcastle-under-Lyme)
• Bar Curry Restaurant of the Year: MasalaCraft (York)
• Outstanding Achievement: Bombay Club (Boston)
• Recognised for Excellence: Raval Indian Brasserie & Bar (Gateshead)
• Street Food Restaurant of the Year: Delhi Wala Food (Leeds)
• Outstanding Achievement: Ajab Gajab Indian Street Food Restaurant & Bar (Liverpool)
• Recognised for Excellence: Ahaar Indian Street Food (Manchester)
• Local Restaurant of the Year: Jumaira Restaurant (Doncaster)
• Outstanding Achievement: Jilani (Sudbury)
• Recognised for Excellence: Imani’s Restaurant (Birmingham)
• Best Team of the Year: International Restaurant (Bradford)
• Outstanding Achievement: Deshi Spice Restaurant & Lounge (Bedford)
• Recognised for Excellence: Jhinook Restaurant (Worksop)
• Best Family Friendly Restaurant of the Year: Westbourne Spice (Otley)
• Outstanding Achievement: Namaste Indian Restaurant (South Shields)
• Recognised for Excellence: Bombay 8 Indian Restaurant (Warrington)
• Best Chef of the Year: Aroma Asian Restaurant (Burnley)
• Outstanding Achievement: Ali’s Kitchen (Stoke on Trent)
• Recognised for Excellence: Britannia Spice (Parkgate, Cheshire)
• New Restaurant of the Year: Zhal khan Restaurant (Berwick on Tweed)
• Outstanding Achievement: Base Camp Indian Kitchen (Cardiff)
• Recognised for Excellence: Namaste Punjab (Chichester)
• Special Recognition Award: Da Mount Gurkha
• Voter’s Choice Restaurant of the Year: Masala City
• Organizer’s Award for Outstanding Restaurant: Bombay 8 Indian Restaurant
• Recommended Restaurant of the Year: Deshi Spice

Safety precautions were undertaken and several fire engines were despatched to the scene, only to discover it was a false alarm.

According to on-site firefighters, the alarm is thought to have been caused by a malfunction in the comms room smoke detector.

Firefighters have since worked to disable the alarm while residents wait to re-enter the building, although workers did note that fixing fire panels is not usually within their remit.

Despite the false alarm being raised in this case, members of the public have been encouraged to always call 999 in the event of an emergency as soon as it is safe to do so.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An annual meeting of the nation’s governors that has long served as a rare bipartisan gathering is unraveling after President Donald Trump excluded Democratic governors from White House events.

The National Governors Association said it will no longer hold a formal meeting with Trump when governors are scheduled to convene in Washington later this month, after the White House planned to invite only Republican governors. On Tuesday, 18 Democratic governors also announced they would boycott a traditional dinner at the White House.

“If the reports are true that not all governors are invited to these events, which have historically been productive and bipartisan opportunities for collaboration, we will not be attending the White House dinner this year,” the Democrats wrote. “Democratic governors remain united and will never stop fighting to protect and make life better for people in our states.”

Signs of partisan tensions emerged at the White House meeting last year, when Trump and Maine’s Gov. Janet Mills traded barbs.

Trump singled out the Democratic governor over his push to bar transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, threatening to withhold federal funding from the state if she did not comply. Mills responded, “We’ll see you in court.”

Trump then predicted that Mills’ political career would be over for opposing the order. She is now running for U.S. Senate.

The back-and-forth had a lasting impact on last year’s conference and some Democratic governors did not renew their dues last year to the bipartisan group.

___

Peoples reported from New York.

Saturday Kitchen star Matt Tebbutt joins Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti as new judge on MasterChef The Professionals series 18

MasterChef has made its comeback with a fresh series of spin-off The Professionals, and audiences have shared their thoughts on the latest judge.

The much-loved culinary contest kicked off its 18th season this evening (Tuesday 10 February) with a recognisable BBC personality taking charge.

Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt has teamed up with cooking icon Marcus Wareing and celebrated chef Monica Galetti in the kitchen, much to fans’ delight.

Matt has taken over following John Torode and Gregg Wallace’s departures from the programme after a BBC controversy last year.

MasterChef faced turmoil following accusations against Wallace, who was dismissed after 45 of 83 complaints were substantiated against him, whilst Torode has also been axed by the BBC after he was alleged to have used “an extremely offensive racist term”, reports Wales Online.

In a public statement, Torode said he had “no recollection” of the allegation, and that the most recent series of Celebrity MasterChef would be his final appearance, as it was pre-recorded alongside Grace Dent, who is amongst the new presenters of the civilian version of MasterChef.

Launching tonight’s programme, Marcus announced: “Good to see you both, new competition, new kitchen and we have a new judge, welcome Matt!”

The Saturday Kitchen presenter responded: “Thank you very much, great to be here, great to be a part of the MasterChef family.”

He continued: “I’d like to see myself as the nice guy of the outfit, I’ve run kitchens before, run my own, I know the pressure that these guys are under.”

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Marcus cautioned: “Strap yourself in Matt, this is going to be a journey.”

Viewers have already expressed their approval of his judging debut, with one commenting: “I think Matt Tebbutt will fit in nicely, he’s popular with viewers and he knows his craft.”

“Like Matt tbf think he’ll be good for this show,” another chimed in.

“Matt Tebbutt is a great addition to the kitchen,” praised another fan.

Another enthused: “Professional Masterchef is back and Matt is off and running! Excellent!”

The return of the show was also celebrated, with one viewer exclaiming: “It’s finally back!” while another echoed: “Masterchef The Professionals is back! Great telly.”

Ahead of the premiere, Matt shared his excitement: “I’m walking through the MasterChef doors for the first time myself and I cannot wait to see the cooking talent this year’s chefs are bringing into the kitchen.

“I want to be wowed from the off, but it will take some serious work to get through the competition that awaits them.”

When quizzed about his experience filming the series, he revealed: “It’s been a joy. I’ve loved every minute and these two next to me have been so supportive. I’ve become so invested in the chefs and their progress and how they’ve changed throughout the series.”

When asked what he would take away from the series, he continued: “”The thing that stood out for me was just how invested these chefs are and how much work goes into it for them outside of filming.

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“The chefs have got their family life, they’ve got their restaurant, or whatever their business is, so they’re dealing with that as well throughout.

“They’ve got to go away and practice their dishes and their skills on top of everything else. And then they have to come back and, you know, produce the goods in front of the three of us, or the critics and then some, once they progress.

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

“Their commitment was clear and it was also clear to see how much they changed from week one to week seven – the progression was enormous. Their commitment was clear and it was also clear to see how much they changed from week one to week seven – the progression was, was enormous.

“You could easily think of MasterChef that, yes, it’s just a TV show. But for these chefs, it’s so much more than that. There’s a lot at stake. And they take it very, very seriously. And it’s really good to see!”

MasterChef: The Professionals continues on Wednesday at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Renee Kenna was last seen on Monday, February 9

Police have issued an appeal to find a missing teenage girl from Newry.

Renee Kenna, 15, was last seen at around 2.45pm on Monday, February 9, by her family in the Newry area and police are now asking anyone who may have information regarding her whereabouts to contact them.

Renee has been described as being of a slim build, 5 feet 2 inches in height with blue eyes and long blonde hair. She is believed to be wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a black jacket, multicoloured T-shirt and white sliders on her feet.

READ MORE: Tackling removal of illegal flags ‘must be collaborative’ amid new PSNI guidanceREAD MORE: Belfast man put ex into bath and dangled electric toaster over water, court told

A PSNI spokesperson said: “We are appealing for information to help locate Renee Kenna 15 years old.

“Renee is slim build, 5 feet 2 inches in height, Blue eyes, long Blonde hair and is believed to be wearing Grey tracksuit bottoms, Black jacket, multicoloured T-shirt and White sliders on her feet.

“Renee was last seen 09/02/26 by her family in the Newry area at approximately 245pm.

“If you have any information you feel may assist police in locating Renee, please call us on 101, quoting reference 1465 of 09/02/26.

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