The latest series of the popular BBC dance competition is coming this year, but it will see huge changes.

New presenters are due to step in for the 2026 series following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

There are also reports that several Strictly Come Dancing professionals will also be leaving the show.

Karen Hauer was partnered with Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey in the latest series (Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Karen Hauer to ‘leave Strictly’ after 13 years on BBC series

Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and newcomer Michelle Tsiakkas have reportedly not been asked to return for the new series, according to The Sun.

A source told the publisher that “major changes are taking place” with dancers having meetings about their contracts “over the next few weeks”.

They added: “Bosses want a fresh start and to bring in new faces after all the drama in recent years and create a new era.”

Now, it has also been revealed that the show’s longest-serving Strictly professional in the current roster, Karen Hauer, is also leaving, according to the Daily Mail.

Karen is a Venezuelan–American professional Latin dance specialist and World Mambo Champion, and joined Strictly in 2012.

An insider told the publisher: “Karen is the latest professional dancer to be told her contract will not be renewed this year.

“It’s very much a case of out with the old and in with the new.

“As the longest-serving female dancer, Karen found out last week that her time on Strictly is over.”

A second source added: “Karen was obviously very upset after being told the news, but she is trying to remain positive about the future.”

During her time on Strictly, she has partnered with big names such as reality star Mark Wright, broadcaster Jeremy Vine and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

Her most successful series was in 2020, when she came runner-up alongside Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing.

The BBC has said plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be announced in due course.

Which dancers have been on Strictly Come Dancing the longest?

Strictly’s longest serving dancer ever was Anton Du Beke, who was in 18 series.

Du Beke later became a permanent judge on Strictly Come Dancing, replacing Bruno Tonioli.

Former star Brendan Cole was in 15 series, followed by Karen Hauer with 13.

With Karen’s exit, the longest-standing current Strictly professional is now Aljaž Škorjanec, who has been in all but two series in 2022 and 2023 since 2013.

Other dancers who have been on the show for several years include Katya Jones, Dianne Buswell and Amy Dowden.

Who is your favourite dancer on Strictly? Let us know in the comments.

Mohsen Farjam, aged 43, attacked the girl, who was just 15 at the time and had a neurodevelopmental condition.

The victim was on her own in Stockport when she was approached by Farjam, who had seen that she was upset and in need of help.

But on that day in July 2018, he convinced her to “get food nearby” and charge her devices, “pretending” to offer her sympathy and support.

He then plied her with vodka at a tent in which he was living, before inappropriately touching her, Manchester Crown Court heard on Thursday, March 5.

Farjam then sexually assaulted and raped her.

The girl was able to leave the tent after, bravely telling a relative, before police were called and the rapist was arrested.

Police say that he “completely denied” the allegations put to him and showed “no remorse”.

Mohsen Farjam (Image: GMP)

On Thursday, he was jailed for nine-and-a-half years, having previously been found guilty of two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual assault by penetration.

GMP says that officers worked through tens of thousands of pages of relevant material as part of their investigation.

In addition to his sentencing, Farjam was placed on the sex offender’s register for life.

Detective Sergeant Rob Griffiths, from GMP’s Stockport Complex safeguarding team, said: “I firstly want to commend the victim in this case, who endured this horrific crime aged just 15-years-old. They have been incredibly brave throughout the court process and are getting continual support by professionals – I hope that they can continue to heal following this awful ordeal.

“Farjam exploited vulnerabilities for his own sickening gratification, and it is utterly grim that he tried to disguise his intentions by pretending to want to help a child in need. Instead, he got her drunk and exploited her as part of his vile actions.

“I am glad that he is now finally behind bars for his crimes.”

GMP gives this advice to anyone who has been, or knows someone that has been, sexually assaulted or raped:

“Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.

“Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk

“Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.”

When Majborough beat Marine Nationale 19 lengths to win the Dublin Chase at the start of February, Timeform rated it the best performance of the season so far.

The 2024 Triumph Hurdle winner who fluffed his lines when beaten into third after a couple of near catastrophic mistakes in the Arkle 12 months ago, returns to the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday a probable odds-on shot for the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase.

However, the race itself has been something of a graveyard for odds-on shots; seven of the last 10 being beaten, four of them (Un de Sceaux at 4-6, Douvan at 2-9, Chacun Pour Soi at 8-13 and El Fabiolo at 2-9) trained by Majborough’s trainer Willie Mullins.

Apart from Favori de Champdou, who looks nailed on for the Glenfarclass Cross-Country, the rest of the racing looks very open on day two of the Festival. Act of Innocence can take the Turners’ and get the day off to a good start for an in-form Nicky Henderson and the trainer could also win the BetMGM Cup with Iberico Lord.

Cheltenham Festival day 2 tips and results

1.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1 )

• Marlborough’s tip: Ballyfad
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: Act of Innocence
  Only defeat came when giving masses of weight to a four-year-old, solid representative from a yard in good form coming into meeting.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: King Rasco Grey
  Paul Townend/Willie Mullins – say no more.

2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1)

• Marlborough’s tip: The Big Westerner
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: Oscars Brother
  Could be one of the stories of the day, one of just two horses trained by Connor King. Comfortable winner of last two starts in Grade 2s.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: Kitzbuhel
  His run at Kempton was unbelievable.

2.40: BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

• Marlborough’s tip: Storm Heart
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: Iberico Lord (Nap)
  Comfortable winner of only start over this trip, needs to run career best but can do.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: Jingko Blue
  Beaten last time by Kabral du Mathan, who goes for tomorrow’s Stayers’ Hurdle.

3.20: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase

• Marlborough’s tip: Favori de Champdou
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: Favori de Champdou
  Seems revitalised by going cross-country despite a fall first time. Runaway winner over course last time with a nice weight thanks to presence of Stumptown.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: Favori Des Champdou
  Looked so good over course and distance in January.

4.00: Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)

• Marlborough’s tip: Majborough
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: It Etait Temps
  One time ante-post favourite for this has become the forgotten horse of the race after fall last time. Better ground can help.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: Irish Panther
  Brilliant run at Leopardstown last time, finishing close to Romeo Coolio.

4.40: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase (Grade 3)

• Marlborough’s tip: Be Aware
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: Jour d’Evasion
  Novice chaser who has developed a winning habit.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: Rubbed
  Represents top trainer/jockey and has a touch of class.

5.20: Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1)

• Marlborough’s tip: Love Sign d’Anjou
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: Bass Hunter
  Looks the pick of the British. If he gets his way in front he might prove hard to pass.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: Love Sign D’Aunon
  Patrick rides for Willie and Goliath Du Berlais is going to be a great sire.

Big-race trends

Turners Novices’ Hurdle
Another race where market prominence is a big factor. Six of the last 12 winners have been sent off as favourite, with 10 also having been trained in Ireland. In what are important considerations for novice races, every winner had at least two runs over hurdles, with 11 winners boasting at least two wins over hurdles coming into Cheltenham.

Brown Advisory Novice Chase
Previous course form is the name of the game here. Ten of the past 12 winners have won at Cheltenham before winning again in this Grade 1. It is also worth noting that 10 of the last 12 winners had won over the distance before, a stat that will be tested now that the two-and-a-half mile Grade 1 novice chase is no more. This is also a race in which horses arriving fresh should be treated with caution. Every single winner in the last 12 years had at least one run in the 77 days before the festival.

Queen Mother Champion Chase
A race where it pays to be wary as a punter. Only four of the last 12 winners have been sent off favourite, although 11 of the last 12 where in the top three in the betting. Despite the relatively poor record of favourites in the race, it is worth noting that 11 of the last 12 winners has at least won a Grade 1 chase.

Cheltenham Festival day 2 ground and weather

Underfoot on the Old Course, around which every race on Wednesday takes place, the going is rated as good to soft. No rain is forecast for Wednesday during the race programme although some showers could roll through in the morning.

Betting on Cheltenham?

There’s a lot of competition between bookmakers for customers during the festival and they will often run their best promotions of the year, especially earlier in the week. Take a look at these Cheltenham betting offers to find free bets to use throughout the week.

How to watch Cheltenham Festival day 2

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the first five races of the day on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 12.45pm GMT every day until 5pm GMT. The races can also be streamed via ITVX. There is a preview show each morning from 9am GMT to 10am GMT which is shown on ITV4 and ITVX.

The final race of each day will not be shown on ITV but will be live on Racing TV. Subscriptions for the channel, which shows every race from the Festival, are available through Sky and Virgin Media and online through its website and app.

Nico hasn’t been seen for 11 days

Police are still searching for a missing teenage boy who has not been seen for eleven days. Nico, 16, whose age was not confirmed, may have travelled to Wigan.

The teenager has links to Birkenhead and Liverpool city centre, however police say he was last seen at an address in Leigh, Wigan at around 12.35pm on February 27.

He is described as being 5ft 7ins tall, of a slim build and with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black tracksuit and baseball cap.

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Merseyside Police said the teenager is known to visit Birkenhead, Liverpool city centre and Greater Manchester using the trains.

An appeal added: “If you see Nico, please call 999 so we can make sure he’s safe. You can also pass on any sightings of Nico via our form: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/mp/v2/add-something-reported-missing/or any other information to @MerPolCC or 101.”

As Americans grimace at the higher prices they’ve been forced to pay at the gas pump since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, the White House is promising all will be well — or better — once the bombing campaign wraps up.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday claimed the spike in gas prices, which has left consumers paying in excess of $5 per gallon in some states, is only “temporary”and said prices levels would actually fall as a result of the Trump administration’s decision to strike Iran.

Speaking at an afternoon briefing with reporters, Leavitt said the ongoing war with Iran would “result in lower gas prices in the long term.”

“Once the national security objectives of Operation Epic Fury are fully achieved, Americans will see oil and gas prices drop rapidly, potentially even lower than they were prior to the start of the operation, and we will live in a world where Iran can no longer threaten the United States or our allies with a nuclear bomb,” Leavitt added.

Her latest comments come as gas prices have continued to surge amid the ongoing bombing campaign by American and Israeli warplanes, which has led Iran to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil must pass to reach refineries.

On Monday, prices climbed to an average of $3.48 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association, a 17 percent increase.

A day later, that figure was up to $3.54, representing a 19 percent increase.

There are currently big regional variations in how much drivers are being asked to pay at the pumps; however, with California motorists paying as much as $5.20 per gallon, compared to their Kansas counterparts paying $2.92,

Gasoline costs are closely tied to oil prices and the latest explosion of violence in the Middle East has badly disrupted the flow of crude oil from the Persian Gulf, sending oil soaring beyond the $100 per barrel mark for a time on Monday, the first time it has reached that level since the outbreak of war in Ukraine four years ago.

Iranian threats against shipping have led to oil-laden tankers idling in port rather than risk being attacked. As a result, shipments are going undelivered and the world faces being cut off from a significant portion of the global petroleum supply.

As a result, major Middle East oil producers, including Iraq, the U.A.E. and Kuwait, have made precautionary cuts to their domestic oil production in anticipation of forthcoming storage issues if their exports remain grounded.

The impasse could soon worsen due to Iranian efforts to mine the strait, a move which could effectively close it to all manner of shipping until any mines that are laid can be cleared.

The Trump administration has attempted to assuage shipping companies by offering to insure tankers attempting to cross the strait, and President Donald Trump has taken to social media in recent days with threats to retaliate against Iran “TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far” if there are any attempts to block oil tankers from transiting the narrow waterway.

Leavitt reiterated the president’s threat on Tuesday, telling reporters the president would “not allow the rogue Iranian terrorists to stop the freedom of navigation and the free flow of energy” through the strait and noted that he’d been “unequivocally clear” in his prior statements on the matter.

She also repeated the president’s offer of “political risk insurance to tankers operating in the Gulf” and boasted that Trump and his team have long planned for potential oil market disruptions, including by drawing up plans for U.S. Navy vessels to escort tankers if need be.

“The President and his energy team are closely watching the markets, speaking with industry leaders, and the US military is drawing up additional options to continue keeping the Strait of Hormuz open,” Leavitt said.

She added that she would not elaborate on what those options might be, but she further stressed that Trump is “not afraid to use them.”

Joe Sommerlad contributed additional reporting from London

There are two legs to this tie, of course, with Galatasaray facing the prospect of a fan-less trip to Anfield next week. And, despite the result of their previous visit to the Turkish capital, it was Liverpool who finished the league phase with a superior record. Arne Slot’s crew coasted into third place to secure automatic progression to this stage, winning six of their eight European outings. Meanwhile, Okan Buruk’s team dipped to 20th in the table but earned their last-16 place by beating Juventus 7-5 on aggregate in a knockout play-off.

Walker was not going to make Tuchel’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, accepting the reality that he is unlikely to receive another England call.

The time had come to move away.

Chelsea’s Reece James is primed to take the role Walker has filled with such distinction at five major tournaments at World Cups in 2018 and 2022, and Euros in 2016, 2021 and 2024.

His retirement from international football concludes a stellar and enduring career, with his achievements and longevity placing him among England’s finest right-backs.

He bows out four short of the century of caps he had hoped to achieve, but his track record and the manner in which a succession of managers made him a central part of their plans is testimony to the quality and personality he brought over a 14-year career at the highest level.

Walker made his debut as a substitute in a 1-0 win against Spain at Wembley in 2011 – replacing his current Burnley manager Scott Parker – with his last cap coming in the 3-1 defeat to Senegal last year.

In between, he was a crucial component as England reached the World Cup semi-final in 2018, losing to Croatia, along with successive Euros finals in which Southgate’s side lost to Italy at Wembley in 2021 then Spain in Berlin in 2024.

He was also used in a back three when Southgate choose to utilise this system, the manager trusting his versatility as well as admiring his leadership qualities, not just on the field, but within his squad.

Walker suffered those disappointments with England but leaves the stage with a track record to be proud of.

He achieved all this alongside his huge successes at Manchester City, where he won six Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup twice and four League Cups.

He was gifted with searing pace, making him an integral player for managers Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson, Southgate, the interim Lee Carsley and Tuchel. He also figured in Sam Allardyce’s only game in charge, the 1-0 win against Slovakia in September 2016.

Such was his temperament and speed that Southgate was very happy to deploy him in opposition to Kylian Mbappe when England played France in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Walker more than doing himself justice in the battle against the great forward, despite a 2-1 defeat.

He has made an indelible mark with England and his presence alone will be difficult to replace.

A new kind of blood test promises to find cancer early – sometimes even before symptoms appear.

The pitch is compelling: a single sample of blood could scan the body for dozens of different cancers at once, catching disease at a stage when it is easier to treat and more likely to be curable. For people who fear cancer – which is most of us – this sounds like a medical revolution.

These tests look for tiny pieces of DNA from cancer cells that are circulating in the blood – something my research teams have spent years working on. In the lab, powerful machines analyse these DNA fragments, searching for patterns that suggest a hidden cancer somewhere in the body.

Instead of waiting for a lump, unexplained weight loss or other symptoms, you could have a blood test every six or 12 months to check if cancer is starting to grow. NHS England described the test – which they were trialling in 142,000 patients – as “the beginning of a revolution”.

The revolution postponed

But when researchers have put these tests through their paces, the reality has fallen well short of the headlines. In one large recent UK study, the blood test missed most cancers that participants went on to develop.

A negative test may feel like a clean bill of health, but at the moment, it is nothing of the sort. This matters because people naturally change their behaviour when they are reassured. If you believe a high-tech blood test has “ruled out” cancer, you may delay seeing a doctor when symptoms appear, or dismiss nagging changes in your body as nothing to worry about.

Traditional screening tests have their own problems, but they are built on decades of evidence. Mammograms for breast cancer, colonoscopy or stool tests for bowel cancer, and cervical screening all went through long, careful trials to show they save lives overall, not just that they find more abnormalities.

Even then, they can miss cancers, and they can also pick up growths that would never have caused harm. With multi-cancer blood tests, the evidence is much thinner, and we still do not know whether using them in healthy people actually reduces deaths from cancer.

The tests also generate false alarms. Sometimes the test can flag people as having cancer when they don’t, causing huge amounts of stress. Health systems that are already stretched risk being overwhelmed by follow-up investigations, triggered by blood test results, that may ultimately lead nowhere.

Cost is another consideration. These tests are not cheap to develop or buy. If these tests are used widely before we know whether they work, health services could waste money and staff time on unproven technology instead of on proven measures like prompt diagnosis, smoking cessation, weight management and ensuring that existing screening programmes reach the people who need them most.

Yet it would be wrong to dismiss these tests entirely. The underlying science is sophisticated, and it is advancing quickly. In high-risk groups – for example, people with strong family histories of certain cancers, or those with inherited genetic mutations – carefully used blood tests might genuinely help to detect tumours earlier than we can today.

They are also helpful in checking if cancer is returning after treatment, or in choosing treatments that match the specific biology of a person’s cancer.

The deeper issue is how we introduce such technology into everyday life. There is a long history of medicine being captivated by new treatments and procedures, only to discover later that the harms and compromises were greater than expected.

Early cancer blood tests are arriving at a time when trust in institutions is fragile, misinformation spreads fast, and many people understandably feel that getting to see a doctor at all is increasingly difficult. Adding another layer of complexity and uncertainty could easily widen inequality between those who can pay privately for extra tests and those who cannot.

Sensible steps you can take

While we wait for better evidence, there are still sensible steps people can take. First, if you are invited to take part in a trial of a new cancer blood test, ask what the study is trying to show and what is already known. Genuine clinical trials, run through the NHS or academic centres, are how we answer important questions about benefits and harms.

Second, if you are offered one of these tests privately, ask who will interpret the result, what support you will get afterwards, and whether it is likely to change your care in a meaningful way.

Most importantly, do not let the idea of a “simple blood test” overshadow the basics. If you notice a new lump, unexplained bleeding, persistent cough, weight loss or a change in bowel habit that goes on for more than a few weeks, you should still contact your GP, even if a previous test was normal.

Trust your instincts about your own body and keep pushing if you feel something is wrong. Stories of delayed diagnoses repeatedly show that persistence from patients, families and doctors can make a crucial difference.

Cancer outcomes have been improving slowly over time, thanks to a combination of better treatments, earlier diagnosis and public health measures. New technology, including blood tests that scan for traces of cancer, will probably play a part in the next chapter of that story. But on their own, they are not a magic bullet against disease.

A shooting outside the US consulate in Toronto is being investigated by police as a “national security incident”.

The Canadian city’s deputy police chief Frank Barredo said officers were called to the scene at around 5.30am on Tuesday, where they found spent shell casings and ⁠damage to the building.

Witnesses said a white SUV had stopped outside the consulate and two men got out, before a handgun was fired at the front of the building. The pair then got back in the vehicle and drove away.

People were inside at the time, but no one was injured, police said.

Chris Leather, chief superintendent of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said the shooting was being investigated as a “national security incident” but added it was too early to determine a motive.

Security around the US and Israeli consulates in Toronto, and embassies in Ottawa, has been increased as a precaution, he added.

The shooting comes just days after two synagogues were struck by gunfire in the Toronto area.

Toronto’s mayor, Olivia Chow, said: “The US consulate was shot at. This comes after shootings at synagogues. This cannot stand.

“Toronto’s Jewish community has the right to practice their faith and culture and to live their day-to-day lives without fear, intimidation or violence.”

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“As we have seen too many times, antisemitic incidents spike when international incidents rise. It is never acceptable to target the Jewish community,” Ms Chow added, referring to US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which have prompted large gatherings outside the US consulate, both in support and protest.

Mr Barredo said that while it was too early to draw a connection between the consulate shooting and those at the two synagogues, “we do not look at them in isolation”.

Iran war latest – follow live updates

Ontario premier Doug Ford described the shooting as “an absolutely unacceptable act of violence and intimidation aimed at our American friends and neighbours”.

“Everyone at all levels of government and across Canada needs to make clear that there is zero tolerance for this sort of intimidating and dangerous behaviour,” he added.

They were collected by a local litter picker from Seven Acres Country Park and stacked on the side of Waggon Road.

Paul Lancaster, 55, grew up on Waggon Street where his parents still live and said it was “shocking” to see the bottles.

He said: “It was just shocking to see – it’s not something you often see piled up at the side of the road.”

Paul said the pile was just across from the playing fields where he “always played as children”.

He said: “It’s just dirty.

“I think they should be more aware of what they’re actually doing and just stop and go to the toilet somewhere.”

Breightmet resident Stacey, 35, called the find “disgusting” and said the people doing it “should be ashamed of themselves”.

She said: “It’s disgusting that they think it’s acceptable to do this in a wildlife area – an area used by locals, children’s groups and wildlife groups.

“Lots of people work hard to keep this area clean and nice for the wildlife and children.

“They should be ashamed of themselves, there’s plenty of bins around and even toilets – it’s lazy, dirty and vile.”

Bottles of what appears to be urine were discovered at Seven Acres Country Park (Image: Paul Lancaster)

Bottles of what appears to be urine were discovered at Seven Acres Country Park (Image: Paul Lancaster)

Cllr Adele Warren, of Breightmet, said that it was “really nasty” and had been reported to Bolton Council on Friday (March 6).

She said: “This has been going on for several years in that location and there’s been numerous comments and discussions with various departments at various times.”

She said it’s suspected to be from taxi drivers who “don’t have access to a public toilet” and stop on the road to take their breaks.

The Conservative councillor added: “But when you see it stacked up like that – it suggests it’s been going on for a significant amount of time.

“There’s been a period when complaints were made to local taxi firms and licensing but unless somebody sees someone doing something it’s very difficult.

“At the minute, it’s just an educated assumption.”

She said she received a reply from the council on Monday morning (March 9) telling her the bottles are classed as “clinical hazardous waste” and will need a specialist contractor to dispose of them.

Bottles of what appears to be urine were discovered at Seven Acres Country Park (Image: Paul Lancaster)

Cllr Warren said: “Who in their right mind would throw it in the nature reserve?

“It’s just horrible. It’s a quiet road but it does have a lot of through traffic and there are a lot of dog walkers.

“Hopefully with a bit more awareness the person, or people, are shamed – it’s not acceptable.”

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said they would send someone out to collect the bottles on Tuesday (March 10).

They said: “This has been brought to our attention, and we will be removing this waste today (Tuesday).

 “At this stage we do not know what the contents of the bottles are, or where they have come from.”