There has been a new name added into the mix as speculation over which actor will be offered the coveted James Bond role continues to grow.

It has been the question on everyone’s lips since Daniel Craig announced he would be hanging up his bow tie and pistol as 007 in 2019.

Now Brit actor Jack Barton, 31, has been introduced as a potential new leading man, as he was named the current favourite for the iconic part. 

It has been reported by Page Six that screen tests are due to begin in the next few days, with Jack’s name apparently among the shortlist.

So far he has notably appeared in teen Netflix drama Heartstopper and the BBC SAS: Rogue Heroes in 2025, as well as a selection of minor roles.

Casting directors are said to be backing Jack for the role, while it is thought that Amazon is keen for a more well-established actor.

It has been the question on everyone’s lips since Daniel Craig announced he would be hanging up his bow tie and pistol as 007 in 2019 

Debbie McWilliams, who picked previous Bonds Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig for the role, previously said a newcomer should be cast.

She told the Independent in June: ‘I don’t want to see any of [the rumoured stars] as Bond because we now know so much about them.

‘We want to know as little about them personally as possible, because that’s what spies are. We don’t need to know where he goes shopping or who his parents are, or where he lives.

‘We never want to see him at home. And a vital element of the whole thing is his job description. He’s licensed to kill, and we have to believe that he can do that. If you don’t, then you’ve lost the audience.’

Other current favourites include Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, Harris Dickinson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jacob Elordi and Henry Cavill.

Theo James recently ruled himself out of taking the role and insisted he is ‘too old’ to play the secret agent.

Speculation about who will be the next 007 has been rife for months and recently heightened after Amazon MGM Studios announced in May that auditions were finally taking place.

Theo’s name has always been in the mix but the star of Netflix hit The Gentlemen has said at age 41 ‘I’m definitely too old now’ despite Daniel being 51 by the time he shot his final Bond movie.

Age isn’t the only factor that has put Theo off the role though, as he insists the part is ‘an example of a place you could never come back from’. 

So far he has notably appeared in teen Netflix drama Heartstopper and the BBC SAS: Rogue Heroes in 2025, as well as a selection of minor roles

Casting directors are said to be backing Jack for the role, while it is thought that Amazon are keen for a more well established actor

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Speaking to British GQ, the actor recalled the ravenous attention the Divergent movie franchise brought to his door a decade ago.

Just when his fame was reaching its peak, Theo stepped back from the limelight, choosing smaller projects that helped him hone his craft, and even briefly considered studying for an oceanography degree at the University of Santa Cruz, California. 

‘Imagine, suddenly, you and I cannot walk down the street. What that does to your children, who are trying to find themselves in the midst of hyper-scrutiny and fame,’ Theo, who is married to Irish actress Ruth Kearney with whom he shares two young kids, says now of the path he could have chosen.

‘None of that, to me, is worth it. At the time, it’s very intoxicating, being offered some huge, sexy part that would change your life forever. But it really wouldn’t ultimately be worth it.’ 

He says whilst he is fiercely protective of his private life, his stance on how to handle fan interactions has changed as he’s got older. 

‘It’s funny with selfies. When I was younger, I used to be really allergic to them,’ he said.

‘So I used to say no – but the problem with saying no, I found, is that it elongates the moment. Obviously, it’s very nice, and you want to service someone who is invested in any way.’ 

‘But at the same time, there’s the existential problem of what is your job? What is identity? What belongs to the public and what doesn’t?’ 

Jack (Lowden) was recently tipped as a favourite, with 007 producers said to be ‘strongly considering’ the Slow Horses star.

Presenter Richard Osman said recently on his podcast The Rest Is Entertainment: ‘Someone told me for definite who the new Bond is the other day, but I mean that’s happened before. The name I’ve heard is Jack Lowden.’ 

Theo James recently ruled himself out of taking the role and insisted he is ‘too old’ to play the secret agent 

Richard cautioned: ‘It is definitiely not a ‘he’s definitely got it’ thing. He is definitely being strongly considered. I think he’d be amazing.’ 

His co-host Marina Hyde agreed, pointing out that at 36, Lowden is ‘a good age. You have to have the longevity. They’ve got to do at least two movies and he’s a good age for it.’ 

Richard said the actor has ‘real Daniel Craig energy’, adding that he ‘is such a brilliant actor. Can be funny, can definitely do action. I mean, I think he’d be sensational.’

Richard and Marina’s podcast was discussing new research which reveals the public’s top picks for Bond are Tom Hardy, 48, Henry Cavill, 43, and James Norton, who recently ruled himself out, admitting at age 41, like Theo, he feels relieved he is now seen as ‘too old’.

The podcasters pointed out that the public can’t necessarily be relied upon to pick the right actor.

‘If you look back at every single James Bond that has ever been appointed, not a single one of them would have been chosen by the public, apart from maybe one,’ said Richard, referring to 1995-2002 Bond Pierce Brosnan. 

‘You have to rely on the film producers to choose someone the public doesn’t know they want… Daniel Craig definitely wouldn’t have been chosen by the public. They were furious about it at the time.’

‘That was Barbara Broccoli’s call completely the Daniel Craig call,’ Marina agreed. ‘And it was really ballsy because everyone was like “what on earth are you talking about?” The second they see Casino Royale they’re like “oh yeah, no you’re right, that is the right call”.’

Bond producer Amy Pascal gave an update on the audition process earlier this month explaining: ‘We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow.’

‘And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring and exciting and different,’ she added. 

Auditions for the new Bond finally opened in May, five years after the famed spy’s last outing on the big screen. 

That announcement was delayed after the Broccoli family, which held an iron grip on the franchise for decades, handed over creative control to Amazon MGM Studios. 

The production company, which was formed when Amazon bought MGM in 2022, has been quiet on who might fill Craig’s boots, but in May it teased there will be ‘exciting 007 news’ in the coming months. 

In a statement revealing it was auditioning actors for the role, Amazon MGM Studios said: ‘The search for the next James Bond is underway. 

‘While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.’

At the end of June, insiders told Deadline that director Villeneuve had begun informing talent who had made the next round of auditions. 

The streets were packed, the cameras were rolling as Paddy McGuinness and his co-presenters came to Bolton to film a special episode of the hit show.

On March 5, 2020, Top Gear presenters Paddy, Freddie Flintoff, and Chris Harris brought a touch of television glamour to Bolton as they filmed in and around the town.

The visit formed part of a 24-hour challenge in which the trio were tasked with spending a full day inside their cars, with Paddy behind the wheel of a Tesla, Freddie in a Volvo, and Chris driving a BMW.

Filming began in the early hours on Le Mans Crescent, drawing crowds of excited fans eager to catch a glimpse of the presenters in action.

Patrick O’Reilly, who waited on the corner of Queen Street to see the stars drive past, said: “I tried getting a photo before but this time I’ll record it.

“I like Freddie and Paddy but I am more of a fan of the old school Top Gear.

“But these lot are good, I’m just trying to catch them going past.”

The challenge saw the presenters tour various locations across Bolton, including the market, where Paddy was seen bartering from his car with a stallholder for blankets, pillows, and duvets.

Speaking to The Bolton News during a break in filming, Paddy said: “It’s amazing.

“This challenge we’re doing today, we’re spending 24 hours in our cars, so we’re not allowed out.

“We’re going on a tour of Bolton.

“So we’re driving onto Bolton Market, and we’re driving onto various places that I can’t tell you yet.

“But it’s good.

“I would love to take them in Bolton Museum because I remember as a kid going in there… and that mummified body in there.

“And it’s still in there.

“It’s one of them things where you go ‘oh, look at that there.’

“But yeah it will be good.

“They haven’t seen anywhere in the town yet.

“This is the start.”

The presenters were also spotted picking up lunch at Rigby’s Chippy in Deane and filming scenes near Bolton College.

Fans young and old gathered throughout the day, with two-year-old Quintin Smith posing for a photo with the stars and others queuing for autographs and selfies.

The excitement even reached nearby businesses, with staff at Adoption Now’s head office in Bolton managing to grab a selfie with the presenters during filming.

The visit did cause some disruption, with traffic building up around Le Mans Crescent as filming took place.

Despite the delays, the mood remained upbeat, with Mr McGuinness and Mr Flintoff taking time to sign autographs and greet fans.

One parent said: “I’ve just got an autograph for my son.

“He’ll be so happy.”

Paddy had teased the visit on Instagram the day before, joking: “We’ve been to Nepal, we’ve been to Peru, we’ve been to Borneo.

“But where are we tomorrow lads? Bolton!

“They are buzzing.

“The capital of the UK – come on!”

A business rates software error has left 374 Anglesey businesses facing higher non-domestic rates bills

Anglesey Council is preparing itself for a wave of calls from distressed business owners facing higher rates bills as a result of a software blunder. Small businesses across the county are already under considerable strain, with one owner describing the mistake as “another nail in the sector’s coffin”.

Rob Harman, who runs two Gaerwen-based businesses, warned he may be forced to cut staff hours and scale back community sponsorships. His rates for one of his companies, Hardcore Fitness Centre, have already doubled to £5,000 this year following a reconfiguration of the small business rates system.

Letters have been dispatched to 374 businesses notifying them that non-domestic rates demands issued earlier this year were “incorrect”. This was due to software incorrectly calculating the amount of transitional relief available, meaning that more relief was awarded than should have been. As a result, these demands will be re-issued, resulting in higher charges. Figures will vary between businesses, which will discover the full impacts.

Affected firms may be granted up to 12 months to settle any outstanding balances. Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter

The local authority told North Wales Live: “The council regrets that the billing error was not identified before bills were issued, but has acted to notify affected businesses as soon as possible and is working with ratepayers to minimise any financial impact arising from the correction.”

Anglesey council confirmed it isn’t the only local authority facing this predicament, with councils throughout Wales and England similarly affected. Inviting businesses to ring and discuss the ramifications, Anglesey Council acknowledged the error will impose “financial pressures” on those impacted.

However, the local authority cautioned proprietors against aggressive behaviour when telephoning for information. In its correspondence, the council stated: “If you do call, please ensure you are courteous and respectful towards staff members dealing with your call. The council will not tolerate any incidents of abuse and harassment. If this happens, staff have been instructed to end the call immediately.”

Anglesey is home to approximately 2,640 businesses, of which roughly 230 are classified as small businesses. The overwhelming majority – around 2,390 – are micro businesses, most receiving 100% Small Business Rate Relief.

Mr Harman indicated the software glitch will force him to consider making cutbacks at his Gaerwen gym. The facility launched a decade ago and takes pride in supporting the local community through sponsorships and waived fees.

He told North Wales Live: “It’s a crazy situation. The council doesn’t seem to care about small businesses. We are struggling, we need help. We will have to look at ways reducing costs right across the business, perhaps by cutting hours for staff.

“Some people might say we should just increase gym session charges by £5. But a lot of people in our community simply wouldn’t be able to afford it. All the time they are driving more nails into the coffin of the small business sector.”

Hardcore Fitness Centre sponsors kits for two junior rugby teams and a football team. It also backs athletes and boxers, and raises money for kids in need.

Furthermore, veterans and serving Armed Forces personnel are permitted to train at the gym free of charge. This may now be subject to review.

“We will have to look at that,” admitted Rob. “We have around a dozen regulars where the £15 session charges are waived – that equates to around £150 to £200 per month.

“We also sponsor the Llangefni junior teams, which may have to end. We don’t want to stop but we need to protect the staff, without whom there would be no gym.”

Non-domestic rates (NDR) across Wales have risen sharply this year owing to a combination of sector-based multipliers and the scrapping of pandemic-era support schemes. All commercial properties in Wales were also reassessed from April 1, 2026.

To cushion businesses against sudden hikes following these reassessments, the Welsh Government introduced a transitional rate relief scheme. Operating on a sliding scale, liabilities will increase to 100% by 2028–29.

Cardiff has committed £116m over two years to finance the scheme. Mr Harman argued his gym cannot compete on equal terms.

“We don’t make a lot of money at the gym – it’s not subsidised like council facilities,” he said.

“David Hughes Leisure Centre (in Menai Bridge) has just had half a million for new equipment and now the council is looking to refurbish Llangefni Leisure Centre. It makes it really difficult for us to compete.”

Anglesey Council emphasised its function is to administer and collect NDR on behalf of the Welsh Government – it bears no responsibility for determining rateable values, relief schemes or the overall taxation level.

A spokesperson stated: “The council relies on specialist software to calculate bills based on the new valuations and relief arrangements.

“Following the issue of 2026/27 bills, it became apparent that the level of transitional relief awarded to some ratepayers had been calculated incorrectly, resulting in some businesses initially receiving more relief than they were entitled to. As a result, revised bills are being issued.

“This issue is not unique to Anglesey. We understand that a number of other local authorities using the same software system may also have been affected, although we cannot comment on the position of individual councils.

“We recognise that a revised bill may create financial difficulties for some businesses. Rather than simply issuing amended bills and increasing monthly instalments immediately, the council has written to affected ratepayers first to explain the situation.

“Businesses are encouraged to contact us if they have concerns about paying the revised amount. While business rates liabilities are set within a statutory framework, the council is willing to agree payment arrangements and, where appropriate, allow businesses up to 12 months from the issue of the revised bill to pay any outstanding balance.”

Fears that Putin will deploy ‘tactical nuclear weapons‘ against Ukraine are growing as Russia becomes increasingly frustrated and diplomatic hopes crumble.

Voices in Moscow calling for nuclear warheads are becoming louder, and the President is surveying his options for escalation, according to sources.

Ukraine and Russia have ramped up attacks against each other in recent months, with Kyiv landing significant strikes deep inside Russian territory against its oil infrastructure.

Meanwhile, negotiations have all but collapsed, with little hope on either side of a peace deal being found.

The Kremlin is adamant it will not end the war under pressure from sanctions or Ukrainian attacks on its refineries.

It is also increasingly indignant at Nato allies supplying Ukraine with weapons and intelligence – leading to threats against the UK that Prime Minister Andy Burnham this week branded ‘outrageous’.

Putin’s conclusion is that he need to intensify his attacks on Ukraine, three Kremlin sources told Bloomberg.

At the weekend, he told a reporter that Ukraine had ‘opened this Pandora’s box’, and warned Kyiv: ‘Be ready to get a blowback on your most sensitive sectors of the economy.’ 

If Russia did deploy a nuclear weapon, it would likely be a tactic nuclear weapon, rather than a strategic missile (pictured: nuclear-capable cruise missile, Burevestnik)

For now, it is considering how it can ramp up its conventional ballistic assaults, including missile attacks on the centre of the capital, Kyiv.

But a growing number of Russian officials have concluded that Putin could eventually abandon the rules of modern warfare and hit the nuclear button, the sources said.

Tactical nuclear weapons, which are less powerful and have a shorter range, would be more likely than strategic missiles.

They would be used to gain the upper hand in a specific battlefield, rather than to decimate entire cities, like the bombs dropped by America on Japan in 1945.

Throughout the conflict, he has repeatedly flaunted the threat of nukes against Ukraine and its Western allies – even publishing maps showing strikes zones.

And if he made the call, there would be nobody to stand in his way.

Fiona Hill, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who served as a national security advisor to three US presidents including Trump in his first term, said: ‘For Putin there is no sign of collective will anywhere to resist him and so many ways in which he can grind people down.

‘This is why a concerted collective and consistent effort to resist his actions, and to engage in diplomacy, is essential. 

‘He has a single-minded focus and we are all over the place.’

It was reported this week that the Putin might be abouyt to test a nuclear-powered cruise missile – dubbed the Flying Chernobyl – that can fly for days, according to analysts.

An influx of aircraft and shipping has converged in the Arctic in a telltale sign that a new experimental firing is expected of a weapon powered by its own atomic reactor, say analysts.

The ‘invincible’ Burevestnik missile – with a nickname inspired by the nuclear catastrophe that could be inflicted, much like the Chernobyl power plant explosion in 1986 – carries a nuclear warhead with an ‘unlimited range’ and is designed to fly for days at a time before striking the West, according to the Russians. 

While the chance of nuclear weapons still looks remote, the only way to rule them out completely would be a swift diplomatic end to the war – something that now seems out of reach.

The US is preoccupied with the conflict in Iran, and Putin has abandoned its hope of an understanding between Donald Trump and himself that was fostered during at their summit in Alaska last August.

Russia has indicate there may be a path to peace if Ukraine hands over its ‘fortress belt’ of cities in the Donbas that have held firm since the start of armed hostilities in 2014 – but Kyiv has made clear that is not on the table.

A recent indication of the US’s feeling toward Russia came from Secretary of State Marco Rubio in June, when he said: ‘If there had been an agreement, we would have had an end to the war.’

CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a rare visit to Moscow on Tuesday for a diplomatic meeting, though it’s unclear what the focus was. 

‘Life saver. When you get that irritating break out just as something important is on your calendar, use this,’ one shopper insisted

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With temperatures set to trend downwards in the coming weeks as autumn arrives, those who suffer from skin issues may be dreading the months ahead. Switching repeatedly from the cold air outside to the cosy central heating indoors can wreak havoc on complexions, resulting in the reappearance of dryness, irritation and breakouts.

Skincare shoppers have turned to one product that has been hailed as a “life saver” when it comes to treating blemishes, redness and inflammation. Dr Sam’s Flawless Neutralising Gel is designed to tackle all manner of skin problems while leaving skin brighter and more hydrated, helping to prevent future breakouts with regular use, according to the award-winning brand.

Priced at £30, the gel is made with 5% azelaic acid which “visibly tackles pigmentation and redness, clears clogged pores, and reduces the appearance of blemishes”, cosmetic dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting claims, as well as 2% salicylic acid to help calm inflammation and exfoliate dead skin cells. It also includes 0.% bakuchiol, a seed extract that “helps defuse blemish-prone skin and reduce the visible signs of premature ageing”.

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To apply the Flawless Neutralising Gel, the brand advises protecting delicate areas after cleansing by applying moisturiser around the eyes and balm to the lips, before starting with half a fingertip of the gel across problem areas. It’s recommended to build up gradually to a fingertip amount daily over the course of two to four weeks, massaging until fully absorbed and then applying moisturiser and sunscreen on top as needed.

The gel can be used directly to blemishes to target breakouts or as an all-over serum to help prevent them, making it a handy addition to skincare routines in the upcoming autumn and winter months. And with more than 1,200 reviews on Dr Sam’s website, the gel has earned an average rating of 4.6 out of five stars.

Get Dr Sam’s Flawless Neutralising Gel

Dr Sam’s Flawless Neutralising Gel is designed to tackle all manner of skin problems while leaving skin brighter and more hydrated, helping to prevent future breakouts with regular use.

Elsewhere, the bestselling product designed to treat spots over at Boots is Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion. Priced at £26.50, this mattifying exfoliation lotion is formulated to reduce excess oil that can lead to breakouts while unclogging pores and controlling excess shine, says Clinique.

At Sephora, meanwhile, the number one favourite being snapped up by shoppers is Tower 28 SOS Daily Hypochlorous Acid Spray for Sensitive Skin. Priced at £28, this daily facial spray is described as “purifying” stressed-out skin, helping to calm visible irritation and redness.

Back with the Flawless Neutralising Gel, Dr Sam vows: “This is the product that solves your biggest concern – unstable, unhappy, breakout-prone skin. It’s a bright, clear complexion – bottled!” And the gel has impressed hundreds of shoppers.

One wrote in a five-star review: “The most gentle spot treatment I have found. As a long term sufferer of adult spots thanks to PCOS I have tried so many different brands to help with the spots. This does the trick gently and does not dry out skin.”

Another said: “I can’t live without this – it reduces redness, texture and generally makes my very sensitive skin smoother and more comfortable. I cannot recommend it more.”

A third person praised: “Holy grail, 10/10. Didn’t have massive hopes but this gel is absolutely amazing and did exactly as described.”

And someone else agreed: “Life saver. When you get that irritating break out just as something important is on your calendar, use this. Brilliant.”

However, one reviewer commented: “Would have preferred a faster-acting product with more obvious results. It took a good three days to see any reduction in spots.”

The brand responded: “We’d like to reassure you that improvement will take time and patience and won’t happen overnight.”

Others reported that the Flawless Neutralising Gel left their skin looking “clear and radiant”, with one saying it was “the only product I’ve found that seems to actually make a difference”.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America, as the escalating trade war with Canada continues to intensify

Donald Trump has put his signature to an executive order renaming Lake Ontario, as tensions with Canada escalate in an ongoing trade dispute.

The 80-year-old American leader announced on Thursday that the body of water would henceforth be known as Lake America, with immediate effect.

“We’re going to be changing the name of Lake Ontario, effective immediately to Lake America,” Trump declared from the Oval Office while signing the directive. The alteration will only apply within US borders, as President Trump lacks the authority to compel Canada to adopt the new designation.

Over recent days, Trump had repeatedly floated the prospect of taking this symbolic action, though uncertainty remained over whether he would actually proceed with it.

When pressed by a journalist about the intended message behind the move, he curtly responded: “No message”.

Yet he swiftly continued, “Canada has been ripping us off for a long time on trade.”, reports the Express.

“They don’t pay for anything, and they want to be treated like a state, but they’re not a state,” Trump stated.

These remarks echo his previous directive ordering the US Government to rebrand the Gulf of Mexico as the ‘Gulf of America’.

The USGS has now incorporated Gulf of America into its official American place-name registry. Nevertheless, the change hasn’t achieved global recognition, with Mexico and numerous other nations maintaining use of Gulf of Mexico.

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His comments brought to a close a turbulent week in US-Canada relations, with the two nations embroiled in an intensifying trade dispute.

Mr Trump unveiled further tariff increases on steel, vehicles and automotive components on Monday, scheduled to take effect from January.

Canada responded earlier in the week by confirming it would slap new tariffs on American products valued at $20bn (£17.1bn).

Tariffs – taxes levied on imports from abroad – have formed a cornerstone of Mr Trump’s approach to international commerce.

On Saturday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hit out at Mr Trump, describing a new round of American tariffs against Canada as a “miscalculation”. Mr Carney argued the tariffs were intended to “hurt and divide us”, following the collapse of trade negotiations late on Friday.

Matteo Guendouzi’s antics in Lyon shone a colourful light on the abrupt end to what had been shaping up to be an Arsenal career that had decent potential

Of all the contributory factors in Arsenal’s title-winning season of 2025-26, discipline was the one that tended not to get mentioned too much.

Over the course of their triumphant Premier League campaign, none of Mikel Arteta’s players received a red card. Only Manchester City and Brighton could boast the same record. And Arsenal’s collection of 51 yellow cards was the lowest tally in the Premier League by some distance.

They might not be unfamiliar with dark arts but this is currently an Arsenal team that keeps its composure. Which is why Arteta would be allowed a wry smile if he saw the chaos caused by Matteo Guendouzi in Lyon on Wednesday night after he helped Fenerbahce to a 2-1 win that means they are in this season’s Champions League.

Guendouzi made a reasonably compelling case for his defence. “For 90 minutes, even longer with the warm-up, they insulted my family,” he said, referring to the Lyon crowd. “It’s something that gets to you. They insulted my mother and my family, and to me, that was disrespectful. Beyond that, if we can’t celebrate the way we want anymore, I think that is a shame.”

Fair enough. But look at the footage of Guendouzi’s celebrations and it is clear he is goading the Lyon players and supporters. He has to take his share of the blame for the violent scenes which have gone viral on social media.

And that will not be a surprise to Arteta. After almost eight years in charge, the significance of one decision in 2020 has, understandably, been forgotten. But Guendouzi’s antics in Lyon shone a colourful light on the abrupt end to what had been shaping up to be an Arsenal career that had decent potential.

And it marked Arteta down as a manager who wants no nonsense from his players and is not prepared to indulge nonsense, no matter how talented the player is. Guendouzi certainly caught the eye when he was recruited as a 19-year-old from Lorient by Unai Emery in 2018.

While Emery indulged the teenager, Arteta was quickly unimpressed when he succeeded his fellow Spaniard. During a mid-season training camp in Dubai, Guendouzi was involved in a bust-up with members of the Gunners staff after having an altercation with a team-mate.

Arteta was deeply unimpressed but Guendouzi managed to convince the new manager he deserved a chance. But his time under Arteta came to an unhappy end after Guendouzi was involved in a fracas after a defeat at Brighton.

Guendouzi actually escaped any official sanction after grabbing Neal Maupay – no stranger to controversy himself – but Arteta had seen enough. He called Guendouzi into a meeting and was said to be unimpressed by the French youngster’s attitude. There was little doubt about his talent but Arteta was clearly not taken by his character.

He spent the next season at Hertha Berlin and another loan arrangement at Marseille was made permanent. Guendouzi then had a couple of seasons at Lazio before Fenerbahce paid £25million for him early this year.

It is clear Guendouzi is a talented operator but his involvement in another bust-up – and a quite spectacular one at that – is a reminder that Arteta did exactly the right thing all that time ago.

Former soldier Christopher Bouhadi, who was serving a life sentence for murder, escaped from HMP Castle Huntly in June.

A murderer climbed over a prison fence and went on the run because he did not want to share his cell with another inmate.

Former soldier Christopher Bouhadi then fled on foot across farmland before traveling more than 20 miles to get away from Castle Huntly jail.

When he was captured after a few hours, Bouhadi told police he had already served the full length of his 16 year minimum sentence imposed in 2009.

Bouhadi – who was jailed for the murder of his “only friend” Barry Fleming and given a life sentence – appeared via video link at Perth Sheriff Court on Thursday, August 27.

He admitted attempting to defeat the ends of justice by absconding from Castle Huntly, on the outskirts of Dundee, on June 17, and remaining unlawfully at large.

Fiscal depute Laurelle Johnstone told the court: “He was serving a High Court sentence for murder imposed on June 1, 2009 and with a minimum 16 years.

“He was transferred to Castle Huntly from HMP Addiewell on February 10, 2026. At 5.30pm on June 17 he was seen in his room by staff at the prison.

“When they were conducting a final check for the evening at 8pm he was not within his room. A full search of the premises was carried out to no avail.

“Staff carried out a CCTV check and established that at 7.22pm the accused walked towards the south boundary of the prison estate, jumped over the fence, and crossed into farmland.

“He was seen heading in the direction of the public road before being lost to sight. At 9.17pm, his absence was reported to police. He was traced at 11.07pm in Glasgow Road, Perth.”

When Bouhadi, 41, was being charged by police, he said: “What do you mean with attempt to defeat the ends of justice? I f****** done my f****** 16 year tariff man. I shouldn’t still f****** be there.”

He told police he had been asking for help within the prison and had decided to leave when he felt he was not receiving any.

His solicitor told the court Bouhadi had “done well” to be moved to the open prison, but had become “visibly distressed at the prospect of sharing a cell due to past trauma.” He said his client had not asked to be considered for parole at the end of his 16-year term in 2025.

Sheriff William Wood jailed him for 12 months and said: “It wasn’t a planned escape and has all the hallmarks of being an opportunistic decision. The court needs to mark its displeasure – you were in the prison for a good reason.”

Ex-Black Watch soldier Bouhadi was high on drink when he stabbed Mr Fleming, 28, in the neck and left him dying in a pool of blood. He then boasted about his act to locals.

The High Court in Livingston heard Barry had taken pity on Bouhadi, who had been “living rough in doorways”, and allowed him to stay in his flat.

Bouhadi, from Broxburn, had been kicked out of the army for failing a drug test before savagely attacking Mr Fleming outside the Clifton Arms pub in the West Lothian town in May 2008.

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The National Institute for Origin and Quality (INAO), which regulates France’s labels of origin, has also approved temporary changes to the rules for other protected produce because of the effects of the summer heat.

Products that will benefit include some types of Calvados and cider from Normandy, Crémant d’Alsace fizzy wine, lamb from Poitou-Charentes, and Reine-Claude plums.

Certificates of origin allow farmers to sell at a premium, but they come with strict regulations governing the location and method of production.

The aim is to preserve the unique identity of cheeses, wines and other foodstuffs, supposedly linked to their particular terroir – a French concept that links locality and tradition.

Because of a 2026 drought – which the INAO now describes as “historic” – farmers are being allowed to bend the rules for a short period.

Makers of Abondance cheese in the Alps, for example, will be authorised to reduce the amount of pastured grass in their animals’ diet from 50% to 15%. They will be entitled to import forage from outside their zone, and use some supplements.

Makers of Comté cheese in the Jura mountains will be able to replace the local green maize they usually give to their cattle with maize from elsewhere.

The derogations are allowed in French and European law for periods of exceptional weather. Similar measures came in after the dry summer of 2022.

It will be interesting to see if the changes lead to any detectable change in the taste or quality of the cheeses – or to the quantity produced and how it is priced.

Longer term, the measures raise questions over the viability of the existing labels of origin in France and elsewhere.

If changing climate means that certain foodstuffs can no longer be produced in their traditional localities, then the idea of terroir will be stretched to its limits.