Author: bang7

 I was the first to break the news that Paul di Resta would no longer be part of Sky Sports F1’s broadcast team joining former colleague Johnny Herbert out the door after a six-year association with the British broadcaster.

The reaction to the tweet, which has over two million views and rising, was that of outright joy with gifs of Kylian Mbappe knee-sliding across the pitch to Friends’ Chandler Bing dancing filling my mentions. The consensus, save from a small minority, being happy to see the 36-year-old Scotsman off of their screens.

But on the face of it and without the context of F1 behind it, it seems rather odd to celebrate a stranger’s exit. Di Resta was not a dictator who had just been overthrown or an army general committing genocide or a Prime Minister breaking his own laws, so why then was the news met with such passionate emotion?

Di Resta was far from perfect as a pundit, with a perceived bias towards Red Bull being the most commonly cited issue, but some might argue the Scot was by no means the worst to have appeared with a red and blue microphone in 2022.

Perhaps, then, there is always a desire for change and the reaction to the Scot’s departure was symbolic of the times we live in. The Drive To Survive-fuelled rivalries has contributed to a shifting of the F1’s fandoms’ collective psyche, away from the supportive and more towards the territorial.

Every year, thousands of new eyes are focusing on Formula 1 and each will have been funnelled in through a different source and all the subconscious bias that brings.

In 2023, it is rare to see a debate, particularly online, where the two commentators take an entirely neutral view towards an issue. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fans wage war against each other daily, with any mention of either on social media enough to have the other party baying for blood, while there are plenty of other battles dominating the Formula 1 fandom.

So when a commentator or pundit puts their head above the parapet, it is little wonder the bullets come flying.

Sky Sports F1, in its role as provider of the international feed, plays a unique character for there are few other sports who can claim to have one team behind 90% of the broadcasting output. When fans tune into races, it is David ‘Crofty’ Croft whose voice they hear. Phrases such as “two secs, Ted” have become part of the Formula 1 lexicon so when a pundit comes on board for Sky, they automatically become a point of focus for the community.

Being a Formula 1 pundit can be a thankless task. In a media landscape that demands hot takes more than ever, playing it safe is no longer a viable option if you have ambitions of being in the commentary booth the following race, especially if you are not an already established name. But it is a fine line to walk for if you go too far the other way, the territorial fanbase of F1 will say you are biased in favour of Red Bull/Mercedes/Ferrari/insert your favourite team here.

But the comments calling for others to pack their possessions into a small cardboard box as they leave the Sky offices for the final time suggest Di Resta was not solely the problem, Martin Brundle seemingly being the only name not on someone’s hit list.

Sky have not said if Di Resta’s deal was not renewed, as appears to be the case with Herbert or whether the Scot decided, given his racing commitments in 2023, he did not have time for a regular Sky stint and the broadcaster most likely never will.

But what seems even more likely is we have hit a point of no return, for it is hard to see a way Formula 1 fandom shifts back to what it once was – back to a time when it was a niche sport and any coverage was good coverage.

The sport is too big for that now, with any moment analysed a thousand times and every detail meticulously picked apart online, including the words coming out of a pundit’s mouth.

Photo: © IMAGO

Former Red Bull F1 mechanic Calum Nicholas has spoken about the party exploits of both Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.

Verstappen and Ricciardo were team-mates between 2016-2018 and shared a good relationship, on show when Ricciardo rejoined the Red Bull family in 2023.

Following Ricciardo’s departure from Red Bull’s sister team midway through the 2024 season, the Australian has been promoting a number of his businesses on social media, as well as joking around with four-time world champion Verstappen.

While Ricciardo opted to leave Red Bull back in 2018, Verstappen and the Aussie were regularly seen together during race weekends, as well as during breaks from the cut and thrust of F1.

Now, Nicholas, who left his role as Verstappen’s long-serving mechanic at the end of 2024 and instead became a Red Bull ambassador, has revealed that the iconic pair are the party kings of F1.

Asked by YouTuber Lucas Stewart who parties the hardest out of all F1 drivers he’s worked with, Nicholas said: “It’s between Max and Daniel, but I couldn’t really split them.”

Will Ricciardo ever return to F1?

While Verstappen has continued to enjoy great success in the sport, Ricciardo’s F1 career now appears to be over.

The 35-year-old was axed last September from Racing Bulls following a dismal 2024 season, the second time in the last three years that he has been sacked by an F1 team.

While Ricciardo has been linked multiple times with a return to F1, the Australian recently said he was ‘done’ with F1, and has also been rumoured to be joining a different racing series, including the Supercars Championship and NASCAR.

It means that – although his retirement has not been officially announced – Ricciardo has likely finished his F1 career with eight grand prix victories and 32 podiums, the fan favourite remembered for some iconic moments, including the aftermath of his 2018 Monaco GP win.

Ricciardo swan dived into the swimming pool at Monaco after that stunning victory, and was seen celebrating hard in the aftermath, perhaps leading to Nicholas’ valuation of the Australian.

George Russell and Max Verstappen collided twice in the latter stages of the Spanish Grand Prix, the second appearing to have been a potentially deliberate act from the Red Bull racer

Max Verstappen reacted to his clash with George Russell(Image: Sky Sports)

Max Verstappen refused to give straight answers to questions about his furious clash with George Russell at the end of the Spanish Grand Prix. The Dutchman appeared to deliberately ram into his Mercedes rival after losing his temper in the final stages of the Barcelona race.

He had become irate after a late safety car restart which ended his chances of fighting for the podium. He only had hard tyres left while everyone else around him were on the faster, softer rubber which meant he was a sitting duck in third place.

Charles Leclerc immediately passed him while Russell caused light contact between them when he tried to overtake. That had already angered Verstappen but he completely lost his temper when his Red Bull race engineer told him to give the position to Russell.

He ranted over the radio and eventually complied, but only after causing more contact with the Mercedes. He was handed a 10-second time penalty for causing the collision which dropped him to 10th place, while the stewards are now investigating whether a harsher sanction should be given.

If they decide Verstappen deliberately crashed into his rival, then he may face an even stiffer punishment. Speaking on Sky Sports, co-commentator Nico Rosberg said he believed the Dutchman should have been disqualified.

Asked by Rachel Brookes on Sky if he had deliberately caused the collision, Verstappen simply replied: “Does it matter?” He then refused to answer any questions about the incident, adding: “I prefer to speak about the race than just one single moment.”

Brookes then tried to approach it in a different way, asking the Red Bull racer if he was worried that the points he lost because of his penalty would affect his title defence. In response, Verstappen made it clear he thinks it will be a tall order to stop one of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris denying him anyway.

He said: “We are way too slow anyway to fight for the title, that was clear again today. I enjoyed the three-stop and it was quite good, it was quite racy. We had quite a bit of degradation on the tyres, I think that was good.

“But unfortunately the safety car came out at the end and we ran out of tyres, and the hard tyre was clearly not the right tyre. I was really grip-limited on the hard.”

Piastri won the race, having started on pole with title rival Norris behind him in second place. Leclerc joined them on the podium while Russell finished fourth and five more drivers moved up a place as a result of Verstappen’s penalty, which ensured he left Barcelona having scored just one single point.

With Lance Stroll in a race against time to be fit for the Canadian Grand Prix after surgery, Aston Martin need a backup plan – made more difficult by both its reserve drivers planning to race at Le Mans that same weekend

It remains to be seen whether Lance Stroll will be fit for the Canadian Grand Prix(Image: Getty Images)

Aston Martin could turn to a veteran Formula 1 star to partner Fernando Alonso at the Canadian Grand Prix. That’s one of the options available to the team with Montreal native Lance Stroll in a race against time to be fit for his home race.

Stroll withdrew from Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix the night before the race, citing pain in his hand and wrist that he had been suffering for some time. Aston Martin said he had experienced discomfort for around six weeks, suggesting he had driven the Saudi Arabian, Miami, Emilia Romagna and Monaco Grands Prix with the issue.

He is no stranger to pain in that area – he missed pre-season in 2023 after undergoing surgery following a cycling accident while training in Spain. He broke his wrist and a toe but, just over two weeks later, raced at the Bahrain Grand Prix and, incredibly, finished sixth.

But it’s possible that the accelerated recovery period he went through then, in order to not miss the start of that season, may have led to this recurrence of pain. The team said his issue was “related to the procedure he underwent in 2023”, but was no more specific.

An Aston Martin spokesperson did not wish to comment on Stroll’s personal medical situation. But it is understood that the surgery he skipped the Barcelona race for was carried out on Monday, by Dr Xavier Mir and his team – the same expert who treated him two years ago.

Aston Martin chief trackside officer Mike Krack has said that their ‘Plan A’ is for Stroll to race at the Canadian Grand Prix, a week on Sunday. If he cannot, then they will need an alternative plan – though the timing makes that process a little trickier than it might have been.

The Montreal F1 race clashes with another major motorsport event, the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. And both Aston Martin reserve drivers – Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne – are currently set to take part in the latter, representing Peugeot and Cadillac respectively.

If they need to, Aston Martin have the power to pull either of them away from Le Mans to race in Canada. Drugovich in particular likely won’t need much convincing, given he has waited patiently for his first chance to race an F1 car, having been stuck on the sidelines since winning the 2022 Formula 2 title.

But they are also not Aston Martin’s only options. As a current Mercedes engine customer, they also have access to their pool of reserve drivers including Valtteri Bottas, who has made himself available for all 24 F1 races this year in the hope that it might give him the chance to race and audition for a permanent 2026 seat elsewhere.

Aston Martin won’t want to rush Stroll and risk another recurrence down the line, nor do they want to rush into a decision over their Montreal driver line-up. “We wait to see what the next days are bringing and then we take a decision,” said Krack.

Michael Schumacher has not appeared public since suffering a brain injury while on a skiing trip 12 years ago and his condition has since been shrouded in secracy, with his family only allowing a select few to visit him

Michael Schumacher’s old Benetton boss Flavio Briatore has claimed the stricken former racer only communicates with his eyes(Image: Getty Images)

Michael Schumacher’s former boss Flavio Briatore has shed light on the Ferrari legend’s condition – 12 years after suffering a brain injury on a skiing trip.

Schumacher’s family have kept his medical condition a secret, with his wife Corinna only allowing a select few to visit him at their home in Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

The 56-year-old is thought to be resigned to a bed with round-the-clock medical care ever since suffering his horrific accident in December 2013.

But now Briatore, who was head of the Benetton team when Schumacher won his first two Formula 1 titles, has given a glimpse into how the Ferrari legend has been living. Speaking to Corriere della Sera, he revealed: “If I close my eyes, I see him smiling after a victory.

“I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed. Corinna and I talk often, though.” The update comes after Briatore’s ex-wife Elisabetta Gregoraci had previously claimed: “Michael doesn’t speak, he communicates with his eyes. Only three people can visit him and I know who they are.”

There has been multiple reports into Schumacher’s condition and general wellbeing and there were hopes he was improving after he signed an F1 helmet – with the help of Corinna.

Schumacher suffered a horrific brain injury while skiing 12 years ago and his wife Corinna has kept his condition a secret ever since(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

His former team-mate Johnny Herbert – from his Benetton days – expressed hope that the gesture was a small “sign” he might be “on the mend”.

“It’s wonderful news that Michael Schumacher signed Jackie Stewart’s helmet,’ Herbert said, speaking to FastSlots.

“It was a wonderful moment. We haven’t seen something emotional like this in years, and hopefully, it’s a sign.”

Schumacher is regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time after securing four world championship wins, a record that has since been equalled by Lewis Hamilton.

Formula 1 fans aren’t sure what to expect from the blockbuster summer movie starring 61-year-old Hollywood star Brad Pitt as a driver alongside Britain’s Damson Idris

Brad Pitt while filming the F1 movie on set at the Mexican Grand Prix(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The first reviews are in ahead of the hotly-anticipated release of the new Formula 1 movie later this month. There is a lot of hope that the film, starring Brad Pitt, will further boost the popularity of the sport, particularly in the USA.

Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, an American former F1 driver who is brought out of retirement by the team owner of APXGP, played by Javier Bardem, to race alongside talented young British starlet Joshua Pearce, portrayed by Damson Idris.

It is directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer who last teamed up on Top Gun: Maverick. And Lewis Hamilton also served as a producer, providing Hollywood filmmakers with crucial details of what the F1 paddock is really like to help them make the movie as authentic as possible.

Filmed largely on location at real-life races, Hamilton also features on screen alongside his fellow F1 drivers up and down the grid. They were all treated to a special screening of the movie at last month’s Monaco Grand Prix and spoke positively about it afterwards.

The F1 movie is in cinemas at the end of June, but the first reviews are now in from critics who have been given early access. And everyone who has posted online about it so far seems to have been left very impressed by the finished product.

The film has received widespread praise from critics, with the main stars in particular getting positive reactions. That’s despite concerns over the casting of 61-year-old Pitt in the lead role, given his age.

Jazz Tangcay, an editor at Variety, wrote on social media: “WOW! F1 is an action-packed thrilling look at the world of F1 racing, with lots of grit. The sound, score and cinematography are flawless. Damson Idris and Brad Pitt are great! Absolutely obsessed.”

Maude Garrett, from Nerdist, said the film is “so freaking good”, adding: “It has all the adrenaline, heart, pacing, story and character that completely fleshes out this movie into excellence. I can only imagine how much more I would love this movie if I was a fan of F1 racing. Maybe I am now?”

Lewis Hamilton was a producer on the movie and gave fellow F1 drivers a screening in Monaco last month(Image: Formula 1 via Getty Images)

And Erik Davis, a Rotten Tomatoes contributor, said: “The F1 movie hits the gas and doesn’t stop. The races are epic, the sound design, editing, cinematography, performances and music are all top notch. You definitely feel shades of Top Gun: Maverick in that it plays like an old school summer blockbuster. What a ride.”

For Hamilton, the most important reviews were from his peers as he said: “I really care what the drivers think and I wanted them to think highly of it. I think the great thing is the sound is great, the image is incredible. It’s something that’s never been done in Formula 1 before, so it’s something I’m really proud of.”

Daniel Goldburg, Paul di Resta explain how rebuilding from early Rolex 24 exit last year led to better comeback showing

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Paul di Resta said a renewed focus and approach around Bronze-rated driver Daniel Goldburg after an early exit from last year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona was an important part of United Autosports’ improved showing at this year’s race, which ultimately led to the LMP2 class win.

The No. 22 Oreca 07 Gibson, which di Resta and Goldburg shared with Rasmus Lindh and James Allen, was awarded the victory, having been promoted following Tower Motorsports’ post-race penalty after initially finishing second on the road.

Even prior to the promotion, the result already marked a significant improvement for both United and Goldburg compared to last year’s edition of the event, when the No. 22 car retired early on after an off for Goldburg caused suspension damage.

“I had a pretty disastrous 24 last year,” Goldburg said.

“It was a lot of thinking from there through the rest of last year and coming into this year.

“Coming into the event, I said I wanted to give everything I had in quali and then take it to a a little different notch for the race.

“Just stay clean, stay consistent, stay at a certain pace that the team and I kind of wanted.

“When I got out of the car at about ten or eleven o’clock on Saturday night, I had a very big sense of relief at that moment that I had done my job [and] done exactly what I came there to do [and] kept it clean.

“So personally speaking, it was very much what I was there to do and was pleased that I did my part.”

Di Resta, who remained on board as Goldburg’s full-season co-driver after Daytona and was the only other member from the 2024 lineup to stay on this year, echoed the Bronze-rated driver’s comments.

The Peugeot Hypercar driver explained that, together with Goldburg, he focused on building as strong a base for Daytona as possible after the previous setback.

“There is a lot of emotions that go through it, especially after last year being out so early after the mistake he made,” said di Resta.

“I think from that point on, we’ve set about construction on him and what his job is to do in each race and then what the next person’s job is and all the way through it.

“I said to him even after the test in November, ‘Why break up any of the team that you’ve worked so hard with over the last 14 months before you go to a race like this.’

“Because it is the most important race of the year, the first one on the calendar and I think we set about it the right way, going about it the best possible direction and I think that’s on the back of where we left where last year.

“I think we remained calm and collected all the way through the event.

“There was times we were very strong, times when we struggled a bit but at the same point you need to be there at the end of that race to take it. We put ourselves in a position for that.”

The No. 22 car initially finished 44.697 second behind the Tower Oreca on the road, largely down due to a drive-through penalty for impeding another competitor in the pits, which di Resta claimed was incorrectly handed out.

“I don’t think that should have happened,” di Resta said.

“Through Bourdais hitting our pit board when we were bumper to bumper pitting, we somehow got a drive-through penalty for him hitting our board.

“So it made the race to the end all about fuel saving and maintaining position because you always have to keep in the back of your mind that you’ve got to get through all the necessary checks at the end.”

Allen: “Feels Fantastic” to Add Second Rolex 24 Class Win

While United’s promotion meant Goldburg, di Resta and Lindh all captured their first victories in the Florida endurance classic, Allen was able to add a second Rolex 24 win to his record.

His maiden victory came in memorable fashion with a photo finish driving for Proton Competition in 2023, where he beat CrowdStrike Racing by APR’s Ben Hanley by a mere 0.016 seconds.

“It feels fantastic to be a two-time winner,” Allen said.

“I would definitely argue it is not as exciting as the first time I won it, but it still doesn’t take anything away from the effort from everyone at United and Dan, Paul and Rasmus.

“Just all the hard work they’ve put together since the end of last year and even leading up to now.

“It’s really incredible and they deserve every bit of the win that they got these last two weeks and I’m really proud to have been a part of it.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be joining them for the rest of the season, but I wish them all the best and they deserve to have all the success for this year as well.”

Former glamour model Katie Price, who rose to fame as Jordan, has announced the return of her alter-ego and says she will support her teen daughter if she wishes to follow in her footsteps

Katie Price would support Princess whatever career she choses to pursue

Former glamour model Katie Price has revealed that she’d support daughter Princess if she wanted to follow in her footsteps on OnlyFans. It comes as the glamour model mum-of-five prepares to bring back her X-rated alter ego Jordan with the help of new AI technology.

Katie built her career in the 1990s as Jordan, however, after nearly 20 years as her alter-ego, Katie ditched her moniker and career went in a different direction.

Now, mum-of-five Katie has declared ‘Jordan has never gone away’ and is making a comeback. Entrepreneur Katie, 47, has partnered with OChat to resurrect Jordan so that fans will be able to ‘chat’ with the busty model online thanks to AI.

In an exclusive interview with the Mirror, Katie tells us: “The thing is, Jordan has never gone away it’s the media that turned Jordan to Kate, I never did that. But that’s why I do the OnlyFans because I still love posing in front of the camera, posing how I did in the Jordan days. But there’s no magazines and there’s no platforms for that anymore, like in the print world.”

Katie Price says ‘Jordan has never gone away’ as she revives her alter-ego in new project(Image: OChat)

She adds: “I’m so excited because, like I say, things must have happened for a reason. Because who would’ve thought, three decades ago when I started off as Jordan, that 30 years on there would be such thing as AI so all of the archive I’ve got has been so amazing to use on this platform.” Meanwhile, Katie says she’s excited for the younger generation to meet Jordan for the first time.

“I’m so excited and the younger generation – because I always get asked when I’m live on TikTok and stuff, people are like, ‘Who’s Jordan’ now they’ll get to see who Jordan is, yes, bring her back,” she says.

Although Katie has been taking a trip down memory lane through her archive of Jordan snaps recently, she still feels as sexy as ever at the age of 47. When asked what her secret is, she spills: “Age, for me, is just a number. Yes, I know I have surgery and stuff like that but I don’t have surgery to look younger – I just look fresher. But age doesn’t bother me at all because I still feel as if I’m young. I’m still young-hearted and I still do the things that I want to do, nothing has changed just because I’ve got older and I’m looking forward to turning 50 because I’ll be even sexier at 50!”

Jordan is back, this time in AI form(Image: OChat)

As well as her career, Katie also juggles being a mum to her five children; Harvey, 23, Junior, 19, Princess, 17, Jett, 11, and Bunny, 10. And Junior and Princess, who she shares with her ex Peter Andre, have been carving out their own careers in the showbiz industry in recent years. Junior has released his own music while Princess is embarking on an flourishing career in influencing – and even managed to buy herself a £10,000 Audi car from her earnings in recent weeks.

Katie makes her pride of her children no secret as, when asked what she’s most proud of Princess and Junior for she gushes: “How talented they are, how beautiful they are. Beautiful humans inside and out. How well mannered they are.”

Katie would support Princess in any career venture she chooses(Image: Getty Images)

The mum is supportive of both their flourishing careers, and revealed that she would support Princess if she wishes to follow down her own career path and join OnlyFans. She teases: “Who knows, Princess may end up doing an AI or OnlyFans platform – but when I ask her – she’s 18 next month – she’s all busy doing her skincare and stuff like that so she… although she’s in the industry and doing her own thing, I was a bit more ballsy and I was more extrovert, does that make sense? [She’s] no exhibitionist like me.

“We’re very alike but she’s more reserved. I think anybody, if you’re 18, can do OnlyFans or this new AI thing because, yeah, anything goes for anyone out there. I think people have got this stigma with the OChat or OnlyFans that it has to be all sexual and it doesn’t at all. All I do on OnlyFans is what they’re basically going to be showing on the AI. Anything I used to do in the Jordan days will be on the AI.”

Whatever path any of her children choose to pursue, Katie will always be there to support and provide advice. When asked what advice she’d give her kids, she reveals: “I speak to them everyday and see them everyday. I would never stop them, they’ve got to work things out themselves.

“All I’d say is, don’t have all your eggs in one basket with management because, you know, it doesn’t work like that. And I think there would be people out there who just want to try and turn them into me but I want her… there’s only one me and there will be only one Princess, I want them to be individuals because the last thing I want is them to say [is], ‘oh you’re just copying your mum, haven’t you got your own identity’.

“But the good thing is Princess has got her own identity. There’s things that she turns down and I’m like, ‘why would you turn that down?’ We are different like that, which is good.

“Junior is an amazing musician, dancer, singer. I’ve got no doubt in him he will make it as a pop star. And Princess, she’s turning 18 next month, just let them enjoy it I don’t want them to feel pressured and they’re doing good, really proud of them.”

During his first official royal engagement at Lancaster Castle since becoming King, anti-monarchy protesters waited for King Charles as he arrived for the visit

King Charles takes part in the Ceremony of the Keys during his visit Lancaster Castle(Image: PA)

King Charles has faced protestors during a royal engagement in Lancashire, as a group of anti-monarchists shouted “not my king” as he took part in a historic event. As his first official visit to Lancaster as the monarch, Charles arrived at Lancaster Castle today where he met with D-Day veterans and took part in an ancient ceremonial tradition.

The protestors were awaiting his arrival, as chants of “not my king”, “abolish the monarchy” and “ditch the Duchys” rang through the streets as the King’s motorcade arrived at the castle. The anti-monarchy protestors called for the Duchy income to be spent on local businesses and charities, as they made their intentions clear with placards and chants.

King Charles was met with anti-monarchy protestors at Lancaster Castle (Image: PA)

However, it did not derail the King, who met with a 101-year-old D-Day veteran named Richard Brock, who he remembered from a visit to Normandy last year.

During the reception at Lancaster Castle, Charles told Mr Brock: “You are fantastic.” Mr Brock’s son Tony Brock, who attended with him, said the King “mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it.”

The King, who is also the Duke of Lancaster, was greeted at the railway station from the royal train by the Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, Amanda Parker.

As part of an ancient ceremonial tradition, Charles was also handed the keys to the castle in front of the John O’Gaunt gateway. The reigning monarch has taken part in the Ceremony of the Keys with each visit to the castle since 1851, when the keys were first presented to Queen Victoria, with Queen Elizabeth also receiving the honour in 2015.

Charles met with local school children after the historic Ceremony of the Keys(Image: Getty Images)

Students from the nearby Willow Lane Primary School were selected to attend the ceremony and meet the King, with some students offering him a bouquet of flowers.

Schoolchildren from local secondary schools including Ripley St Thomas and Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School also lined the route outside the castle accompanied by a performance from a military band.

After the ceremony at the castle, which was used as a prison until 2011, King Charles met with local business owners who were showcasing their work.

One such business owner was Gillian Hale, from Butlers’ Farmhouse Cheeses, who was told by the King that he loves to indulge in sheep’s cheese on a digestive biscuit.

The King also met a 101-year-old D-Day veteran, who he told to “keep drinking whiskey”(Image: PA)

Charles smelt some of the cheeses she had on display but did not taste any, as Ms Hale said: “We’re going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.”

The King was also given a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn, with business owner Kate Makin saying: “He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.”

Outside the castle, the King met eager royal fans who had been waiting to catch a glimpse of the monarch. Among those keen to see the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home.

Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago, as she said: “I’ve seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.”

Care home manager Lyndsay Scott said: “It was Barbara’s idea to come. We got here at 9am, we’ve had flasks of tea and croissants.” After shaking the King’s hand as he left the castle, Mrs Hardcastle said he had not changed.

Before the King left, he unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit, made by sculptor Alan Ward, who has a studio and workshop inside the castle.

Peter Andre has spoken out on his near-two decade age gap with wife Emily MacDonagh, recalling one particular mistake which made their difference in age very noticeable.

Peter Andre has spoken out on his near-two decade age gap with wife Emily MacDonagh

Peter Andre has addressed his age gap relationship with wife Emily MacDonagh, who is 16 years younger than him. The couple have been married since 2015 and share three children; Amelia, Theo and Arabella.

Writing in his weekly New! Magazine column, the Mysterious Girl singer said that the dynamic ‘works’ for them and quipped that age is just a number, but did recall one incident where the gap was more prominent.

Taking to his column, Peter began by addressing 67-year-old Stephen Fry’s marriage to Elliott Spencer, who is three decades his junior at age 38. Admitting that he’s not one to judge, Peter wrote: “Actor Stephen Fry has talked about the 30-year age gap in his relationship with his partner, Elliott Spencer.

“It all depends on the relationship, how the partners are with each other and how they view things, I think. There’s a 16-year gap between me and Emily, and it really works for us,” he explained.

Sir Stephen Fry’s husband Elliott Spencer is 30 years younger than him(Image: LightRocket via Getty Images)

That’s not to say the age gap goes unnoticed, as Peter continued: “There’s one thing we do laugh about, though… We were at the Pride of Britain awards one year and Jon Bon Jovi came over to chat. I’ve met him many times over the years and he’s a lovely person.

He introduced himself to Emily and after he walked away, she turned to me and said, “Who was that?” I was like, “Are you serious? It’s Bon Jovi.” In the most confused but innocent voice, she said, “What’s a Bon Jovi?”

“We laughed about that a lot afterwards! It’s in those moments we may realise the age gap –usually with music and films – but in general, we love the same things. I think it’s what works for you in a relationship. Who are we to judge?”

Peter and Emily met when the latter was a medical student in her early twenties

The couple first met when the latter was 20 and Peter 36, but didn’t begin dating for two years. They were introduced through Emily’s dad, Dr Ruaraidh MacDonagh, a consultant urologist.

Peter was undergoing kidney stone removal surgery in 2010 performed by Ruaraidh, and he later met Emily – at the time a medical student – through the doctor.

The couple started dating in 2012 went on to marry three years later in a beautiful ceremony at Mamhead House and Castle in Devon.

Now parents to their three children and Emily a stepmum to Peter’s kids Junior and Princess, the family keep their three youngest kids’ faces away from social media and are relatively private online.