King Charles and Queen Camilla issued urgent Christmas threat

The King and Queen will be spending Christmas in Sandringham.

The King and Queen have been issued with the warning (Image: Getty)

 

King Charles and Queen Camilla will soon be heading to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk to celebrate the Christmas period with their family. But, even after a very difficult year for the Royal Family, there could be another spanner in the works as union bosses are threatening to deprive the region of fuel supplies over Christmas and New Year.

Drivers have announced their plan to walk out for 15 days between December 22 and January 25 in a dispute over pay.

Also heading to Sandringham are expected to be the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who stay at their home, Anmer Hall.

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And while he looks set to spend Christmas at Royal Lodge in Windsor, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s next residence – widely reported to be Marsh Farm – is also located on the Estate.

As well as disrupting supplies to Sandringham, the drivers’ strike will also affect schools, Royal Mail refuelling sites, military establishments and hundreds of Gulf Oil petrol stations, the union said.

The King and Queen will spend Christmas at Sandringham (Image: Getty)

As for how the family are expected to celebrate the big day, the Royal Family website reads: “On Christmas Eve, The Royal Family lay out their presents on trestle tables and will exchange their gifts at teatime.”

Speaking to The Express before, royal expert Robert Jobson explained: “On Christmas Eve when all the clan are together, the Queen’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren put the finishing touches to the 20ft Christmas tree in the White Drawing Room. Presents will be opened that day at teatime as the royals still keep to the German practice of opening their gifts on Christmas Eve.

“Gifts are laid out in the Red Drawing Room on a white linen-covered trestle table, with cards marking exactly where the piles of gifts should be put.”

Mr Jobson went on to say that once “everyone has arrived” the family enjoy “a traditional Christmas” which involves the gifting of “cheap and humorous gifts.” He added that the gifts are “unlikely to be pricey”.

A Certas Energy spokesperson said: “Contrary to some inaccurate press reports, Certas Energy confirms that drivers have been offered a generous, above inflation, pay and conditions offer.

“The offer was made in recognition of the important role our fuel delivery drivers play in delivering to our customers across the country. Certas Energy remain engaged with Unite to achieve a swift resolution.

“Customers should be reassured that in the event of industrial strike action, Certas Energy has steps in place to mitigate impact and to minimise any potential disruption to customers.”

Farmer Gareth Wyn Jones has demanded “respect” from Sir Keir Starmer after the Government’s “disgraceful” attack on Britain’s countryside.

Speaking to GB News, the sheep farmer hit out at Labour’s inheritance tax raid and declared things are getting “more ridiculous by the day”.

Highlighting the struggles he is facing just before Christmas, Mr Wyn Jones told GB News: “It’s getting more ridiculous by the day, I think. These champagne socialists are targeting the countryside. It’s a very sad time to be a farmer globally, to be honest with you.

“We’re seeing attacks now on the global community, the European farmers, with this influx of imports. We’ve got inheritance tax here. A lot of people don’t understand that food inflation is going up on a daily basis, and the poor people can’t afford good, nutritious, healthy food to feed their families. And this is all due to the Labour Government.”

Telling GB News about his father, Mr Wyn Jones stressed how hard his family have worked to keep the farm afloat.

He said: “My father sitting in the house behind me, he’s 89, he’s worked all his life. Never had the passport, never bought a new car, he’s always invested into the land.

“We can’t keep going. I’m going to be out here Boxing Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve. I’m going to be out here every day watching after my livestock.”

Calling on the Government to “respect” Britain’s farmers, Mr Wyn Jones told GB News: “I don’t want sympathy, I don’t want handouts at all. All I’m asking, and I think every other farmer is asking, is a little bit of respect.

Farmer Gareth Wyn Jones demanded ‘respect’ from the Government after their ‘disgraceful’ attack on the countrysid

“This Government needs to be careful. I got up at half past four this morning, had a cup of tea and then I’ve been out here feeding the cows, I’ve got a few turkeys to clean and for my family and friends later on, and then I’m going round the sheep onto the hill and just making sure everything’s all right and get everything fed.”

Praising Mr Wyn Jones, host Eamonn Holmes paid tribute to the hard work of farmers across Britain: “The thing about it is when Gareth talks about what he does there, it’s like we go to the supermarket and we get something in a packet and we open it up, and he has to get it already for that packet.

“It’s real work. It’s real graft, and real respect to you, Gareth.”

Responding to Eamonn, the farmer told GB News: “And can I say one thing as well? Every single Government across the world will regret what they’ve done to the farming communities in the years to come, because it’s disgraceful. We’ve got mental health issues, we’ve got people taking their own lives and they haven’t listened.

Farmers have been protesting the Inheritance tax rise since the last Budget | PA

“There have been thousands of farmers protesting down in London, trying to get our opinions across, and they don’t even open the door. They don’t even listen. It’s disgraceful.

“As they’re drinking their oatmeal lattes in their ivory towers down in Whitehall, the farmers are still at it every single day trying to produce food to feed this nation.”

Asked by Eamonn who the “next Gareth” will be in the family to take over his farm, Mr Wyn Jones admitted: “There isn’t anyone there. I’ve got a son who’s keen to come in, but, you know, at this point, he’s on the farm working, but we can’t give him a decent wage.

“The scary thing is, the majority of farmers are over their 60s and getting older, and in the next ten years, it’s going to be crucial to bring new blood, fresh blood. And who the hell would want to come into this industry as it is now on its knees, not being able to get a real return?”

Heaping praise on GB News for the support the channel has offered to farmers since the tax raid was announced, Mr Wyn Jones said: “You know what? Nobody else is showing the farming community struggle like GB News, I’ll be honest with you.

“And I’ve been on GB News since the beginning. When I came on right at the beginning, people would call me right-wing, this and that, and you can see you’ve built a channel around honesty and integrity, and I can only thank you. And another thing I’d like to say is we need to thank the great British public, because they have been behind us.”

Mr Wyn Jones hailed GB News for supporting farmers ‘from the beginning’

 

Warning of the catastrophic impact of a farmer’s strike on Britain, he said: “Now imagine if the farming industry went on strike. People, imagine if these farmers said, enough is enough, we’re going on strike, we’re going to start to pull back the food.

“Imagine what would happen to this country, it would go militant. People would go hungry, there would be shelves that would be empty. We’re not going to do that, we’re fighting for our industry, but we’re fighting for Great Britain to build a better Britain on our bellies.

“We need the farming communities working with Government, and at this moment, it’s not happening. There’s a targeted attack on our countryside, and things need to change.

“We need a farming food revolution, and definitely I’m with education to go forward, to teach people how to cook, how to eat seasonally, and how to find nutritious food from British farms.”

In a statement, a Treasury spokesman said: “We are backing farmers with a record £2.7billion a year to grow their businesses and put more British food on our plates.

“Our inheritance tax changes protect public services while keeping it fair. Three-quarters of farm estates will pay nothing, the rest pay half the usual rate spread over ten years interest free.”

 

The Princess of Wales and her daughter Charlotte have teamed up for a ‘special’ piano duet – with the stunning performance airing on Kate’s star-studded Christmas carol concert tonight.

The royal duet delighted fans during the opening segment of the programme – ‘Together at Christmas’ – which was on ITV1 and ITVX from 7.25pm.

It was shown alongside a voiceover of Kate reading the letter that was given to guests at Westminster Abbey, and footage of people arriving for the service on December 5.

Kate, 43, and 10-year-old Princess Charlotte played Holm Sound by Erland Cooper – a Scottish composer and producer from the Orkney Islands – whose work is inspired by nature and connection, themes which are of deep importance to the Princess of Wales.

Holm Sound was written and composed by Erland for his mother, Charlotte.

The special moment was recorded in the Inner Hall at Windsor Castle last week and the royals were joined on the day by Erland himself.

Royal fans gushed at the pair’s ‘absolutely beautiful’ performance which ‘brought tears to people’s eyes’ with others noting ‘Catherine looks so proud of Princess Charlotte’.

One said: ‘Catherine the Princess of Wales knocks it out of the park with everything she does and she makes it seem so effortless. A lovely message to accompany the piano duet with Charlotte, superb.’

The Princess of Wales and her daughter Princess Charlotte have teamed up for a stunning ‘special’ piano duet

The duet feature during the opening segment of the programme – ‘Together at Christmas’ – which aired on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.25pm

Kate, 43, and 10-year-old Princess Charlotte played Holm Sound by Erland Cooper

Another added: ‘Prince William must be so proud of both his beautiful girls. Lovely lovely carol concert.’

The Prince and Princess of Wales teased the duet this morning by posting a cryptic surprise on their joint Instagram account.

The clip panned across a festively decorated room to show two hands, one with a large ring, resting on a piano.

They captioned the clip: ‘A special duet…’

In the voiceover, Kate said: ‘At its heart Christmas speaks of love taking form in the simplest most human ways.

‘Not in sentimental or grand gestures. But gentle ones. A moment of listening. A word of comfort. A friendly conversation. A helping hand. Presents.

‘These simple acts of care might seem small but they contribute to the beautiful tapestry of life to which we all belong.

‘Christmas is a time which reminds us how deeply our lives are woven together. Just as the roots of trees share strength between the soil, unseen but vital, so too do we.

A beaming Kate and Charlotte recorded the stunning performance in the Inner Hall at Windsor Castle last week

Both Kate and Charlotte wore golden bracelets on their wrists as they played Holm Sound

The Prince and Princess of Wales and children George (centre left), Charlotte and Louis (centre right) attended the service at Westminster Abbey on December 5

Prince William delivered a reading of the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke from the New Testament

Actress Kate Winslet, 50, also delivered a reading titled ‘A reflection of love and connection’

The royal couple posted a cryptic image of a piano on Instagram on Christmas Eve morning

‘We are drawn by an instinctive pull towards belonging and connection.

‘At a time when life can sometimes feel fragmented or uncertain, the Christmas season invites us to remember the power of reaching out to one another with generosity of heart, understanding and hope.

‘This carol service offers a moment of collective togetherness, a chance to celebrate the spirit of community and service and to honour the visible and invisible bonds which unite us all.

‘The time, care and compassion you give often quietly and unspoken and without any expection or recognition make an extraordinary difference to the lives of others.

‘As the year draws to a close I hope this season brings you moments of peace and clarity and that you too feel surrounded by the same love and care which you offer so freely.

‘Thank you for the warmth you have given and the kindess you have shown and the quiet constant light you bring to others.

‘Wishing you a very happy Christmas.’

Actress Vicky McClure, famous for her roles in Trigger Point and Line Of Duty, narrated the service after Kate’s introduction.

After the opening segment the programme continued with a performance of the hymns Once in Royal David’s City and a Sussex Carol by the Westminster Abbey choir, before a speech by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, the 39th Dean of Westminster.

Prince William delivered a reading of the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke from the New Testament in front of a crowd of 1,600 attendees which included the Duke of Kent, whose wife Katharine, Duchess of Kent, passed away in September.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was also in attendance alongside Mike and Zara Tindall.

Actress Kate Winslet, 50, performed a reading titled ‘A reflection of love and connection’.

And there were musical performances from actor Hannah Waddingham, singers Katie Melua, Dan Smith, Griff and Cornish folk music group Fisherman’s Friends.

It also featured two community films, with one focusing on an artist from Fleetwood, Lancashire, who puts on a Christmas dinner for those alone at this time of year.

Kate has played the piano at previous festive concerts including in 2021 when she put on a touching performance at a Westminster Abbey service (pictured)

‘Together at Christmas’ aired on ITV at 7.25pm on Christmas Eve and was narrated by actress Vicky McClure

Kate, pictured, far left, and Tom Walker, right, gave an emotional performance by candlelight at Westminster Abbey in 2021

Sweet snaps showed Prince Louis sharing an adorable moment with his mother Kate at her Christmas carol service on December 5

Royal fans gushed at the ‘superb’ pair’s ‘absolutely beautiful’ piano performance

Another added: ‘Prince William must be so proud of both his beautiful girls. Lovely lovely carol concert’

The second involved students from London’s Platinum Performing Arts – who performed in the service.

Kate has played the piano at previous festive concerts, including in 2021 when she put on a touching performance at a Westminster Abbey service which aired on TV.

On that occasion, she stunned onlookers as she played the piano to accompany singer Tom Walker with a poignant song performed by candlelight at the service in London.

They played his Christmas single For Those Who Can’t Be Here together – and despite the duchess reportedly feeling ‘quite nervous’, fans rushed to praise her performance.

Others noted how Kate seemingly channelled her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who surprised onlookers in 1988 in Australia with her own piano performance.

Meanwhile, sweet new pictures released on Tuesday showed Kate and Prince Louis sharing an adorable moment at her Christmas carol concert.

Royal fans swooned at the unseen snaps of the princess and her three children at her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey.

Their heart-warming bond was clear for all to see as Princess Charlotte, arrived to support her mother alongside her father, Prince William, 43, and brothers, Princes George, 12, and Louis, seven.

The whole family was sleek in navy and green, as the boys wore smart suits while Charlotte was adorable in a blue dress with a white collar – a perfect complement to her mother’s emerald.

Charlotte, who wore a navy dress, stayed close to her mother as they entered the event

Onlookers noted how during Kate’s 2021 performance she seemingly channelled her late mother-in-law Princess Diana

Kate was pictured beaming proudly at her children, leading them towards Westminster Abbey as they admired the festive light decorations ahead of the service – which will be aired on Christmas Eve.

And once inside, the Princess of Wales helped Louis balance a candle while she held onto an order of service in her other hand.

In adorable scenes, Kate could be seen speaking quietly to her youngest son, while he sat with a cheeky grin on his face.

Princess Catherine’s close relationship with her daughter Charlotte was also on show at the carol service, which is now in its fifth year.

The pair’s faces visibly lit up with joy as they spotted each other outside Westminster Abbey before the concert kicked off.

Bearing a wide grin, the Princess of Wales quickly held her arm out to embrace her daughter, who looked equally delighted to support her mother at the event.

The family were later photographed walking into the Abbey together, and Kate continued to lovingly direct her gaze at her daughter.

TV chef James Martin — once the man who swore marriage “didn’t interest [him] in the slightest” — has shocked fans and friends alike by getting engaged to his personal trainer girlfriend, Kim Johnson.

The beloved Saturday Morning host, 53, is said to be “happier than ever” after proposing to Kim, 39, less than two years after they began dating in March 2024. And in classic James fashion, the proposal came with not just a ring… but a brand-new Land Rover Defender, which Kim showcased on Instagram, admitting she was “speechless.”

“It’s taken James decades to finally get there,” an insider told The Sun, “and friends share a wry smile at his U-turn. But everyone has seen the change in him since meeting Kim. He’s never been happier. They are a wonderful couple.”

The pair were first spotted together in Mayfair in March 2024 and quickly became inseparable — holidaying in France that summer before Kim moved in with him in October. Their romance followed James’ split from long-term partner Louise Davies after 12 years together.

Kim, previously married to businessman Arun Nayar until 2017, appears to have brought a whole new chapter of stability and joy to the chef’s life.

James’ change of heart is striking, considering his 2019 declaration to The Sunday People:

“Marriage doesn’t interest me in the slightest… I don’t need to spend 60 grand on a day. I’m more than happy, thanks.”

Yet here he is — ring in pocket, keys to a luxury 4×4 in hand — proving that even the most stubborn vows can soften when the right person arrives.

Hamza Yassin has long been admired for his calm presence, gentle wisdom and deep connection to the natural world. But in a rare and honest new interview, the much-loved wildlife presenter has revealed a more personal side — opening up about love, loneliness and what he hopes for the future.

Speaking candidly, Hamza admitted that he is currently single and has been for some time. Having lived alone since his university days, he says he has grown comfortable with solitude and independence. Yet behind that quiet contentment lies a simple, human longing.

“I’ve learned how to be happy on my own,” he explained, “but I would love to share my life with someone one day.”

It’s a confession that struck a chord with fans — a reminder that even those who seem most at peace can still hope for connection. Hamza made it clear that he isn’t searching desperately, but remains open to love when the time feels right.

Finding Healing Beyond Romance

While his personal life remains private, Hamza’s public work continues to reflect what brings him peace: nature.

Alongside his television projects, Hamza is now working closely with the National Trust and other conservation organisations, encouraging people to reconnect with the natural world — particularly during the quieter, darker months of autumn and winter.

The campaign focuses on the idea of seasonal “wild connection”, showing how small moments outdoors — a frosty morning walk, birdsong in bare trees, or the stillness of winter landscapes — can offer comfort, grounding and improved mental wellbeing.

Hamza has spoken passionately about how nature supported him through difficult periods of his own life, helping him slow down, reflect and find balance.

“Nature doesn’t rush you,” he has said. “It meets you where you are.”

A Gentle Voice for a Noisy World

For many, Hamza Yassin represents something rare in modern television: softness, sincerity and emotional honesty. Whether he’s talking about wildlife, mental health, or the hope of finding love, his words resonate because they are unforced — and real.

Gift baskets

As he continues to inspire viewers to look up, step outside and reconnect with the world around them, Hamza’s story feels quietly powerful.

Not a headline-grabbing romance.
Not a dramatic confession.
Just a man, honest about who he is — and hopeful about what might still be ahead.

Chris Rea fans have been reduced to tears after the BBC paid tribute to the late singer live on air on Tuesday following his death.

The star, who is behind one of the most iconic Christmas songs, Driving Home For Christmas, died aged 74 on Monday following a short illness.

His legendary track was the opening song to a pre-recorded festive addition of Animal Park with Ben Fogle and Kate Humble on BBC One.

With this in mind, BBC bosses aired a short tribute to mark Chris’ passing before the episode began to play.

Continuity announcer Duncan Newmarch said just before the titles: ‘First on BBC One, Chris Rea, is very much on our minds this morning.’

He later took to X, formerly Twitter, writing: ‘When I discovered that this morning’s edition of Animal Park on started with Driving Home for Christmas, I wanted to say something.’

Chris Rea fans have been reduced to tears after the BBC paid tribute to the late singer live on air on Tuesday following his death

The corporation’s continuity announcer said just before Animal Park where his song was the opening track: ‘First on BBC One, Chris Rea, is very much on our minds this morning’

The star, who is behind one of the most iconic Christmas songs, Driving Home For Christmas, died aged 74 on Monday following a short illness

Viewers were reduced to tears with one commenting: ‘Oh that made me cry. Very touching.’

‘Very suitable and appropriate.’

‘That’s such a clever, beautiful 11 seconds. Bravo.’

‘What a wonderful tribute.’

Announcing his death on Monday, his wife Joan and their daughters Josie and Julia, released a statement which read: ‘It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris.

‘He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family.’

The iconic song Driving Home for Christmas has made a reappearance on the UK Singles Chart every year since 2007, including making number 10 in 2021.

Middlesbrough-born Chris, who met Joan when he was just 16, had been dogged with serious health issues including peritonitis, pancreatic cancer and diabetes. In 2017, it was revealed he needed to inject insulin seven times a day.

Chris’ final social media post featured a car on a snowy motorway with a road sign reading: ‘Driving home for Christmas with a thousand memories.’

In the post, shared on Sunday, he added a caption reading: ‘Top to toe in tailbacks If it’s a white Christmas, let’s hope the journey’s a smooth one.’

Join the debate

What personal memories does “Driving Home for Christmas” evoke for you during the festive season?

Teary fans praised the on air tribute by the BBC

Announcing his death on Monday, his wife Joan and their daughters Josie and Julia, released a statement (pictured in 2016)

Chris’ final social media post featured a car on a snowy motorway with a road sign reading: ‘Driving home for Christmas with a thousand memories’

Chris suffered a major health scare during his career when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 33.

He had part of his pancreas removed along with his gall bladder and part of his liver, but went on to make a recovery and lived with diabetes as well as kidney problems.

He also suffered a stroke in 2016 but he recovered and went on to release two more albums Road Songs For Lovers in 2017 and One Fine Day in 2019.

Chris previously revealed: ‘I’ve had nine major operations in ten years. A lot of it is to do with something called retroperitoneal fibrosis, where the internal tissues attack each other. No one knew it existed 20 years ago, and it’s completely unpredictable..

‘It’s affected the colon, the pancreas, the gall bladder, the liver – and then I get a stroke.’

Speaking of his successes and impact on his health, he said: ‘I made a lot of money, but you can dangerously let it lead you on…

‘It depends what company you keep. I once said to Michael Winner, “I’m the poorest man on this Barbados beach.” On days like today, the richest man in the world is the one who hasn’t got a bad shoulder.’

Chris previously shed light on writing the iconic tune, as he previously told Bob Mortimer: ‘I was on the dole when I wrote [Driving Home For Christmas]. My manager had just left me. I’d just been banned from driving.

‘My now wife, Joan, had to drive down to London to pick me up in the Mini and take me home, and that’s when I wrote it.’

Concerns grow for Nathan Lyon over hospital photo

Nathan Lyon’s wife Emma has shared an image of the star bowler and his daughter in a hospital bed together after he was left “shattered”.

Nathan Lyon is with family in hospital as he continues to recover from hamstring surgery.

Photos shared by the star spinner’s wife Emma on Tuesday night showed the bowler lying in a hospital bed with his two-year-old daughter.

The 38-year-old underwent surgery on his injured right hamstring on Tuesday, Cricket Australia has confirmed.

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Lyon on Saturday hobbled off Adelaide Oval after injuring his hamstring fielding out in the deep.

Lyon was seen desperately diving forwards to stop a ball from reaching the boundary before he struggled to get back to his feet and walked straight off the ground speaking with the Aussie cricket team’s physiotherapist.

He was then taken to hospital for scans.

He was ruled out for the rest of the series on Sunday with Aussie selectors calling Todd Murphy into the 15-man squad for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

As a result of the surgery, Lyon has also been ruled out of playing any matches with the Melbourne Renegades this BBL season, according to Code Sports.

Aussie coach Andrew McDonald on Tuesday said Lyon was “shattered” about facing an extended period off the field.

He will be well supported by his family judging on photos posted on Emma Lyon’s Instagram stories.

Nathan Lyon lies in a hospital with his two-year-old daughter. Photo: Instagram, @emmalyon_.

Another hospital image shared on Instagram by Emma Lyon.

One image shows a fatigued Lyon, wearing a hospital gown, lying in a hospital bed cuddling his daughter.

Emma captioned the post with a heart emoji.

“My world. Playing  doctors with daddy,” she wrote.

Emma also shared a photo on Wednesday morning that showed their daughter playing around with the remote control of an empty hospital bed.

The couple has gone to great lengths to protect the identity of their daughter and the post was shared with a heart covering the girl’s face.

BREAKING NEWS  Pauline Hanson Furious as She Blasts Labor Party and Anthony Albanese After Australian Media Reports Special Forces Police Intercepted a Vehicle Near Bondi Beach, Arresting Seven Men and Possibly Discovering a Gun.

The Shock Is Even Greater Because These Arrested Individuals Are Among Those Repatriated to Australia — WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SECURITY CHECKS Before Entering the Country. “How Much Money Did He Take to Do This? A Bunch of Bastards Pushing the People Down the Path to Death!”

 

 

In a stunning escalation of political tension, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has unleashed a blistering attack on the Labor Party and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following reports of a high-stakes police operation near Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach.

Australian media outlets revealed that special forces police intercepted a suspicious vehicle, leading to the arrest of seven men and the potential discovery of a firearm.

What has sent shockwaves through the nation is the revelation that these individuals were part of a group repatriated to Australia under Albanese’s watch—without undergoing any prior security vetting.

Hanson, never one to mince words, accused the government of endangering Australian lives for political gain, questioning, “How much money did he take to do this? A bunch of bastards pushing the people down the path to death!”

This incident, unfolding on December 18, 2025, has reignited fierce debates over immigration policies, national security, and the competence of the Albanese administration. As details emerge, critics argue that this near-miss exposes the perilous flaws in Labor’s approach to repatriation amid global conflicts.

Albanese’s government has been under fire for facilitating the return of Australians from war-torn regions, including the Middle East, without stringent background checks. Proponents claim it’s a humanitarian effort, but detractors like Hanson see it as a reckless gamble with public safety.

The operation began when elite tactical units from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and New South Wales Police Force received intelligence about a vehicle exhibiting erratic behavior near Bondi Beach. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the  car speeding along the coastal road before being boxed in by unmarked vehicles.

Bodycam footage, leaked to select media, shows officers swarming the scene, detaining seven men of Middle Eastern appearance. Initial reports suggest a handgun was found concealed in the vehicle’s trunk, though authorities have yet to confirm if it was loaded or linked to any planned attack.

The arrests were swift and without incident, but the implications are profound.

What elevates this from a routine bust to a national scandal is the background of the detainees. Sources within the Department of Home Affairs confirm that at least four of the seven were repatriated Australians who had been stranded in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Albanese’s government, in a bid to appear compassionate on the international stage, expedited their return in late 2024 without the mandatory security screenings typically required for individuals from high-risk zones. This decision, critics say, bypassed protocols established post-9/11 to prevent radicalized elements from infiltrating the country.

Pauline Hanson, speaking from her Brisbane office, didn’t hold back in her condemnation. In a fiery press conference streamed live on social media, she lambasted Albanese personally: “This is what happens when you put virtue-signaling ahead of Australian lives.

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the glittering world of ballroom dancing, the BBC has officially announced Rylan Clark as the new host of *Strictly Come Dancing*, stepping into the formidable shoes left vacant by long-time presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The revelation, dropped like a bombshell during a prime-time special on November 26, 2025, confirms what insiders have been whispering for weeks: the charismatic former *X Factor* star and beloved radio personality will lead the show’s 2026 series. But the real jaw-dropper? His co-host is none other than Emma Willis, the no-nonsense presenter known for her work on *Big Brother* and *The Voice UK*—a choice that has left fans reeling, divided, and utterly surprised.
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The announcement comes hot on the heels of Tess and Claudia’s emotional exit, revealed just last month in a joint Instagram video that caught even the show’s insiders off guard. The duo, who have helmed *Strictly* since 2004 and 2014 respectively, cited a desire for more family time and new projects as their reasons for bowing out after the current series wraps. “It’s been an incredible ride, but it’s time to hang up our sequins,” Tess said in the video, her voice cracking with emotion. Claudia, ever the witty counterpart, added, “We’ve laughed, cried, and glitter-bombed our way through two decades. What a sparkle!” Their departure marks the end of an era for the BBC’s flagship entertainment program, which has dazzled audiences with its mix of  celebrity glamour, professional prowess, and occasional controversy.

Rylan Clark, 37, is no stranger to the *Strictly* family. Rising to fame on *The X Factor* in 2012, where his larger-than-life personality and infectious energy won over Simon Cowell and the nation, Rylan transitioned seamlessly into presenting. He hosted *Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two* from 2019 to 2023, earning rave reviews for his empathetic interviews and cheeky banter with contestants. Fans remember his heartfelt moments, like consoling tearful dancers after tough critiques or hyping up underdogs before live shows. His departure from *It Takes Two* in 2023 to focus on other ventures, including his BBC Radio 2 show and various   TV gigs, left a void—but now, he’s back in a bigger role than ever.

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“Rylan’s the perfect fit,” a BBC insider told us exclusively. “He’s got that sparkle, that warmth, and he knows the show inside out. Plus, he’s adored by the viewers.” Betting odds had pegged him as a frontrunner alongside names like Bill Bailey and Alan Carr, but the official nod still feels like a triumph for the Essex boy done good. Rylan himself reacted with trademark humility and excitement on social media shortly after the announcement: “Pinch me! Hosting *Strictly*? Dream come true. Can’t wait to bring the glitz with my fabulous co-host. Let’s dance!”

But it’s the choice of Emma Willis as his co-host that’s truly raised eyebrows. At 49, Emma brings a wealth of experience from reality TV heavyweights, where her poised demeanor and sharp interviewing skills have made her a household name. Yet, her pairing with Rylan is unexpected—fans had speculated duos like Rylan with Fleur East (who replaced him on *It Takes Two*) or even a solo host shake-up. “Emma? Really?” one fan tweeted in disbelief. “Love her on *Big Brother*, but *Strictly* is all about fun and flair. This feels like a curveball.” Others praised the move: “Fresh energy! Emma’s class and Rylan’s charm—genius combo.”

Sources close to the production reveal that Emma was a last-minute contender, edging out other favorites after impressing in screen tests. “The chemistry was electric,” our insider dished. “Rylan’s bubbly, Emma’s grounded—they balance each other like Tess and Claudia did.” Emma, married to Busted’s Matt Willis and a mother of three, has spoken openly about her love for dance shows. In a past interview, she confessed, “I’d kill to be part of *Strictly*—the glamour, the stories, it’s TV magic.” Her addition signals the BBC’s intent to evolve the format, perhaps injecting more in-depth contestant chats amid the tango and tango.
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The shake-up couldn’t come at a more pivotal time for *Strictly*. The 2025 series has been marred by scandals, from judge walkout rumors to contestant injuries, prompting calls for a refresh. Tess and Claudia’s exit, while voluntary, was influenced by the show’s grueling schedule—weekends dominated by live broadcasts, leaving little room for personal life. BBC chief content officer Kate Phillips addressed the changes in a statement: “Tess and Claudia have been the heart of *Strictly*, but we’re thrilled to welcome Rylan and Emma. They’ll honor the legacy while bringing new vibrancy.”

Reactions from the *Strictly* alumni have poured in. Former winner Bill Bailey, who was tipped for the role, tweeted his support: “Rylan? Brilliant choice! And Emma—unexpected but spot on. Can’t wait to watch.” Judge Craig Revel Horwood, known for his acerbic wit, dropped a hint on air last week: “Darlings, big changes ahead—fabulous!” Fans speculate this could mean more judge involvement, perhaps even guest spots.

Rylan’s journey to this pinnacle is a testament to his resilience. After *X Factor*, he navigated personal highs and lows, including his 2021 divorce from Dan Neal and mental health battles, which he shared candidly in his memoir *Ten: The Decade That Changed My Future*. His advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health has endeared him to millions, making him more than just a presenter—he’s a role model. “I’ve grown so much,” Rylan reflected in a recent Radio 2 broadcast. “Hosting *Strictly*? It’s full circle.”

Emma, too, brings depth. Her no-frills style contrasts Rylan’s flamboyance, promising dynamic on-screen moments. Imagine her grilling judges on scores while Rylan rallies the crowd—pure entertainment gold. But not everyone’s convinced. A Reddit thread exploded with debates: “Why not keep it in the family? Rylan yes, but Emma feels like a mismatch.” Others worry about gender balance, with two hosts again but a fresh dynamic.
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As *Strictly* gears up for 2026, producers promise innovations: more diverse celebrities, interactive viewer votes, and perhaps themed weeks honoring the show’s history. Rylan and Emma’s debut will be scrutinized, but if their past successes are any indication, they’ll waltz through the pressure.

Tess and Claudia’s final bow from Blackpool Tower Ballroom last weekend was tearful, with tributes from stars like Rose Ayling-Ellis and Hamza Yassin. “You’ve been our guiding lights,” Rose signed in a video message. Now, the torch passes to Rylan and Emma—a hot new era for *Strictly*, full of surprises, sequins, and steps into the unknown.

In the end, this announcement isn’t just about hosts; it’s about reinvention. *Strictly Come Dancing* has survived scandals, pandemics, and shifting tastes. With Rylan at the helm and Emma by his side, the show is poised to shine brighter than ever. As Rylan might say: “Keep dancing!”

In a world ruled by fear and necessity, Celia Daniels moves like a shadow across the sprawling alchemy of crime she has built. She is the quiet avalanche at the top—calm, precise, and utterly merciless. Jay Griffiths’ Celia is the eye of a storm, a mastermind who never blinks, who always seems ten steps ahead of every plan she engineers. Her operation hums with ruthless efficiency, each choice calculated, every risk weighed with the elegance of a chess grandmaster.

Celia’s power rests on the uneasy alliance she has with Ry, her own son, who was taken from the streets and woven into her world as if he were a piece she could position and command at will. Ry is a mid-level conductor in her grand machine—he wears the mask of loyalty, but the friction of his humanity keeps threatening to crack the surface. He screens drug mules, scouts vulnerable victims for the farm, and enacts orders with a dutiful grimace. Yet beneath Ry’s routine obedience lies the stubborn truth: he answers to Celia, not the other way around, and his attempts at autonomy only sharpen her scrutiny and patience.

The story crackles with a brutal irony: Ry, who should be Celia’s pride, becomes more and more unreliable as his heart stirs with feelings for Laurel Thomas. This crush—innocent or perilous, depending on the moment—pulls him away from the razor-edge discipline Celia expects. It is a distraction she cannot tolerate, for in her world, any lapse is a thread pulled, and a thread pulled can unravel the entire tapestry she has so meticulously woven.

Celia’s gaze, however, is fixed on a replacement. The hunt begins with Dylan Penders, a quiet man who embodies a strange, unsettling stillness. He is her first choice to step into Ry’s battered shoes and become the new kingpin of this cruel domain. The drama of the moment is not merely about replacement; it’s about the thrill Celia finds in the possibility that this calm, composed man could learn to wield the same cold, calculating power she does. There is something about Dylan’s stillness, something in the way he moves through space, that makes Celia feel a spark of fascination—almost respect—for a man who could be molded into her next Ray.

To Celia, Dylan represents a doorway to control, a chance to redefine the rules as she sees fit. The test is stark and brutal: Celia orders him to discipline a troublesome boy, Robbie, with a baseball bat. It is a moment that reveals the core of Dylan’s character. He refuses to become the instrument of fear, refusing to cross the line into brute intimidation that Celia expects him to embrace. His resistance is not a sign of weakness; it is a mark of his true nature, a shield that Celia reads as both challenge and confirmation. She smiles—an expression of secret approval that betrays her pleasure in knowing she cannot force genius into the mold of a mere enforcer. If Dylan won’t be muscle, perhaps he can be something beyond, perhaps a manager who can navigate the delicate balance of power Celia demands.

Yet even as Celia probes Dylan’s potential, she remains intoxicated by the possibility that she might bend him to her will. The moment becomes a litmus test of character: is Dylan merely a cog to turn, or could he be the cornerstone of a new order within her empire? And in this same breath, Celia’s world tightens around itself as she discovers that Ted—a name that has danced through rumors and danger—holds a far more dangerous truth. Ted turns out to be Bear Wolf, a man whose identity carries a heavier weight than any title could bear. Bear Wolf, the father of Patty Kirk, a revelation that strikes Celia not merely as another betrayal but as a symbol of the fragility of the rules she once believed unbreakable. Ry’s latest lapse, the admission that Ted is more than what he pretended to be, becomes a direct affront to Celia’s carefully composed universe. The truth of Bear Wolf’s identity inflames her not simply because of the hidden dangers it reveals, but because Ry’s rule-breaking undermines every law Celia has etched into her world.

The emotional topography of Celia’s life is stark. The more power she wields, the more barren she becomes. The Emmerdale landscape is a place where those who push others into the shadows often forget to look into the mirror. Celia’s life, her penthouse of wealth and control, feels beautiful and cold at the same time. She has a home that she rarely inhabits, wealth that never brings her the quiet joy people crave, and influence that never fills the emptiness inside her. She moves through rooms that echo with the laughter of nobody, a queen who has built a fortress around herself and now finds the fortress hollow. The deeper Celia climbs into this lonely throne, the more vacant everything else becomes—the friendships, the connections, the real, breathing life that money cannot buy.

Jay Griffiths’ portrayal teases at a haunting truth: Celia is the villain who cannot escape the loneliness her own power has carved into her life. The more she pulls the strings, the more she isolates herself from any genuine companionship or affection. Her world, sprawling with money and control, becomes a prison of its own making. Its walls close in not with the clang of doors but with the quiet, persistent hum of a life devoid of true joy. The danger that surrounds Celia is not merely the police at the gate or the risks of the streets; it is the creeping realization that her empire, built on manipulation and fear, can offer nothing back in return—no real life, no real love, no real peace.

Her comeuppance seems to be not a flashy explosion but a silent, personal reckoning. In this tale, Celia’s fate unfolds as a lonely, cruel irony: the more she dominates, the more she loses the one thing she cannot buy back—herself. The dread is not just external; it is existential. The longer Celia remains the puppeteer who pulls the world’s strings, the more she discovers that the final and most formidable punishment is internal. For all her wealth, all her power, she remains a person with a fragile, aching core that no triumph can soothe.

The narrative suggests a somber, inexorable descent. Celia, the mastermind who measures every move, is already paying a price. Her loneliness, her lack of real companionship, is the punishment she cannot escape, even as she clings to control. The world she built cannot fill the void within her; it can merely prolong the illusion that she is complete. The corridor of power she walks ends in a cul-de-sac of isolation, a reminder that in the end, the only true dominion one can claim is over one’s own life—and Celia’s reign, for all its glittering danger, leaves her with a life that is, in truth, very small.

The final image lingers with a chilling certainty: Celia’s power is real and terrible, yet it is also a fragile construct that can fracture at any moment under the pressure of her own needs and the unpredictable tides of those she seeks to command. Her pursuit of Dylan as a potential successor becomes a symbol of her longing for control—an echo of a deeper hunger: to be seen, understood, and perhaps, to be loved. But the path she has chosen is a cliff’s edge, and the fall would not be a dramatic fanfare but a quiet, inevitable erosion of the world she has built around herself.

In the end, Celia’s story is a tale of a woman who commands kingdoms with the cool precision of an expert, who introspects with the cold detachment of a strategist, and who, at the core, is heartbreakingly alone. The audience is left with a stark truth: power, without genuine connection, is a hollow crown. Celia is the queen who rules a vast, perilous domain, yet her throne cannot shield her from the most dangerous rival of all—the silence inside her own heart. And as the cameras fade, the message lingers: control may come easily, but peace—real peace—remains forever out of reach.