Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has hit back at critics who think his unconventional living situation is ‘strange’.

The interior designer, 60, lives with his wife Jackie, their two grown-up daughters, Hermione, 26, and Cecile, 29, and their husbands Dan and Drew – as well as their four grandchildren, Albion, 8, Demelza, 3, Romily, 1, and Eleanora, 18 months.

Laurence set tongues wagging when he first announced the unusual arrangement that the family would be living all under one roof at his six bedroom Cotswolds manor house

In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail, Laurence delighted in speaking about his tight family unit and hit back at haters who disagree with the idea.

He said: ‘I still think a lot of people think it is a bit strange. But actually, it is a very kind of straightforward and instinctive way of a family being together.

‘It’s a very, very odd idea that came out of the 20th century, this idea of of children leaving the home. Actually, traditionally, you stayed if you all worked on the farm together or you worked in the shop together, so in a funny sort of way, we’re just kind of reviving that, but it made great sense for us.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has hit back at critics who think his unconventional living situation is ‘strange’ (pictured with his wife Jackie)

Laurence set tongues wagging when he first announced the unusual arrangement that the family would be living all under one roof at his six bedroom Cotswolds manor house

‘You know, we live in a big house. It was very much just me and Jackie. Why do we not then bring the children and their children in with us?’

Speaking about how the family deal with being in each other’s company every day, Laurence added: ‘There are moments where you’ve got to work quite hard.

‘But I think that happens in any family, but we confront it and get on with them.’

Amid the madness of his busy household, Laurence still manages to keep the spark alive with his wife Jackie.

The smitten couple, who have been together for over four decades, celebrated 35 years of marriage this year.

He said: ‘In January, we will basically have been together for 41 years. So, I mean, that is that’s a big chunk of lifetime.

‘We were very good at making a commitment and in those 41 years, there have been moments where we’ve had to work very hard to make sure that we were still getting on, that we weren’t still sparkling off each other.

‘And I think that’s something that some people are quite quick to give in about.’

Laurence lives with Jackie, their two grown-up daughters, Hermione, 26, and Cecile, 29, and their husbands Dan and Drew – as well as their four grandchildren

The six bedroom property is having to be adapted to cater for the 10 of them

Laurence also has dogs and cats who reside at the countryside home

The sprawling property has impressive gardens

Laurence is gearing up for another exciting release of his property series, House Of The Year alongside judges Jane Larmour, James Fairley and Patricia McGinnis

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The designer continued: ‘You do have to find positives. It’s not a Disney movie. You do wake up in the morning and you do feel grumpy. You do kind of have moments where things p*** you off.

‘I’m quite a tolerant person. That’s cool. That works really well. I’m quite laid back. There are times when Jackie is very energised, but, I mean, after 41 years together, you know the ins and the outs. You know the kind of warning signs.’

Laurence is gearing up for another exciting release of his property series, House Of The Year alongside judges Jane Larmour, James Fairley and Patricia McGinnis.

House Of The Year returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC One Northern Ireland with the first five episodes available to watch from Monday 5 January.

In each episode, three new homes will compete for one of five places in the grand final where they could be crowned – House Of The Year.

The grand final will broadcast February 9.

Laurence said: ‘I am very proud of House Of The Year and was involved in the first iteration back in 2010 and it was, and still is, a brilliant way of showcasing a kind of aspirational vision of the housing landscape in Northern Ireland.

‘What I love about coming back to it now, is the fact there is such an immense ramp up in terms of individuality, personality and creativity. I think people no longer feel they must do things in a “grown-up” way.

‘People are letting their “freak flag” fly and are doing things their own way!’

Gerry and Kate McCann marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance by remembering her as a ‘very beautiful and unique person’ ahead of what would be her 22nd birthday (Picture: AFP via Getty)

Madeleine McCann’s parents vow to ‘leave no stone unturned’ is ‘unwavering’ as new searches for the missing toddler began this week.

She was three when she vanished while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007. Her parents, Kate and Gerry, marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance last month.

There has been no positive sighting of her since, with the trail remaining as cold now as it was nearly two decades ago.

New searches have begun in Praia da Luz and a 26-mile stretch of scrubland between the resort and the Foral where German suspect Christian Brueckner lived in 2003.

The new searches for Madeleine, who would have celebrated her 22nd birthday last month, were requested by German police.

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They face a race against time to charge Brueckner before he is released from prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005.

Madeleine McCann (centre) with twins Sean and Amelie (Picture: BBC)
In their most tribute to Madeleine, who would also be turning 22 this month, Kate and Gerry McCann said: ‘No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day.

‘We continue to “celebrate” her as the very beautiful and unique person she is. We miss her.’

But Madeleine isn’t Kate and Gerry’s only child – she also has twin younger siblings, Amelie and Sean, who were born in 2005.

What are Madeleine McCann’s twin siblings doing now?

A family friend said of twins Amelie and Sean: ‘They’ve always been in Madeleine’s shadow, and just been the McCann twins.

‘But now they are young adults, they are carving out their own lives.’

Amelie McCann pictured two years ago at a vigil for her sister (Picture: Terry-Harris.com/SplashNews.com)
Today, both are studying at different universities.

Amelie, who studies at Durham University is described as popular and outgoing and has competed in triathlons in the past.

Speaking for the first time about her sister’s disappearance at a vigil two years ago, she commented: ‘It’s nice that everyone is here together, but it’s a sad occasion.’

Meanwhile, Sean studies chemical engineering at the University of Loughborough and is a champion freestyle swimmer

He’s been tipped to represent Scotland at next year’s Commonwealth Games – and could even compete for Team GB at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Previously, Sean represented Scotland at the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games, taking part in the 400 and 1500m Freestyle finals, and is part of the country’s National Open Water Development Squad for open water swimming.

Sean McCann competing in the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2023 (Picture: Jamie Squire/Getty Images for Commonwealth Sport)
Sean explained how he first started swimming competitively in a post on a local website after winning a grant to fund his training.

He said: ‘At the age of 10, I was selected to swim at City of Leicester, and I have since gone on to win multiple county titles, as well as becoming regional and national champion in my age group.

‘In order to have achieved this, I have had to remain extremely dedicated, getting up at 4am multiple mornings each week to train.’

Their parents have said the twins are grateful to be able to ‘live a relatively normal and enjoyable life now’, despite the continued heartbreak over their missing big sister.

More recently, Kate said: ‘They have their own friends and they keep busy and they’re really sporty but their only wish is for their big sister to come home.’

Who are Madeleine McCann’s parents?

Kate and Gerry McCann have never stopped searching for their daughter (Picture: PA)
Kate had been a GP but left her job when Maddie vanished. She returned to the healthcare sector during the pandemic.

She now works with people with dementia and is an ambassador for the charity Missing People.

In their recent statement, the couple thanked the charity and other organisations ‘who remain committed, despite many challenges and limited resources, to finding and bringing home the many missing and abducted children’.

Gerry McCann is a research lead and professor of cardiac imaging at the University of Leicester, whose ‘life-changing work’ has been praised by colleagues.

They still live in the same redbrick detached house in Rothley, Leicestershire, where they resided when the toddler disappeared.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, family friend Michelle Canilleri said: ‘I have seen this family’s grief from the very beginning to now.
Family games
‘Our hearts go out to them, and the village as a whole hopes they get the answers they so desperately need.’

Madeleine McCann was three when she vanished while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007 (Picture: PA)
But as well as deep sympathy, the couple have also been on the receiving end of personal attacks and further anguish.

Two women are accused of stalking the McCann family, including turning up at their home.

Polish national Julia Wandel is due to stand trial in October this year accused of causing serious alarm or distress to the family between June 2022 and February 2025.

Wandel made global headlines in 2023 after claiming to be Madeleine and has continued to speak out on social media despite those claims being rubbished by a DNA test.

She is said to have made calls, left voicemails, and sent a letter and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry, as well as sending their other children, Sean and Amelie, Instagram messages.

Karen Spragg has also denied stalking, allegedly by making calls, sending letters and attending the McCann’s home.

Timeline of events since Madeleine’s disappearance

May 3, 2007: Kate and Gerry McCann leave their children asleep in their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while they dine with friends. They check on their children three times throughout the night, and, at 10pm, they find her missing
May 14, 2007: Police take property developer Robert Murat in for questioning and make him a formal suspect – this is later withdrawn.
August 11, 2007: 100 days after her disappearance, detectives acknowledge that she could be dead.
September 7, 2007: Maddie’s parents become formal suspects in their daughter’s disappearance.
September 9, 2007: The McCanns return to England with their two-year-old twins.

July 21, 2008: Portuguese authorities shelve the investigation and remove the McCanns and Murat as suspects.

May 12, 2011: Kate McCann publishes a book about her daughter’s disappearance on her eighth birthday

April 25, 2012: Scotland Yard detectives say they believe Madeleine could still be alive and release a picture of how she may look as a nine-year-old. They ask Portuguese police to reopen the case, but they say they have found no new information.

July 4, 2013: Scotland Yard confirms it has launched its own investigation and says it has identified 38 people of interest, including 12 Britons.
October 24, 2013: Portuguese police decide to reopen the case

January 29, 2014: British detectives fly out to Portugal
June 3, 2024: Sniffer dogs and specialist teams are used to search an area of scrubland close to where Madeleine went missing.
December 12, 2024: Detectives begin questioning 11 people who it is thought may have information on the case.

September 16, 2014: The Government states that the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance has so far cost £10 million
October 28, 2014: Scotland Yard cuts the number of officers working on the inquiry from 29 to four.

April 30, 2017: The McCanns mark 10 years since her disappearance with a BBC interview.

May 3, 2019: Local media reports say Portuguese detectives are investigating a foreign paedophile as a suspect in the abduction of Madeleine.

June 3, 2020: Police reveal that a 43-year-old German prisoner, later named as Christian Brueckner, has been identified as a suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance.

 

Italian police released a picture of Brueckner in 2020 when he was arrested over drug offences (Picture: AFP/Getty)
 

April 21, 2022: Christian Brueckner is made a formal suspect by Portuguese authorities.
October 11, 2022: Brueckner is charged with three counts of rape and two charges of child sex abuse, unrelated to Madeleine’s disappearance.

May 3, 2023: Kate and Gerry McCann mark the 16th anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance by saying she is “still very much missed” and that they ‘await a breakthrough’.
May 22, 2023: An area near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz, is sealed off as police prepare to start searching on May 23.
May 23, 2023: Searches begin with police divers in the water and officers with sniffer dogs and rakes seen on the banks.
June 23, 2023: A man named Helge B claimed to the German newspaper Bild that Brueckner almost confessed to killing Maddie, allegedly telling him ‘she didn’t scream’ when the pair talked about the case at a music festival

July 11, 2023: The German prosecutor involved with the case warns not to ‘expect too much’ from the search.
February 16, 2024: Brueckner’s trial starts over three counts of alleged rape and sexual abuse of two children not connected to the Madeleine investigation
October 8, 2024: He is acquitted of all the allegations due to ‘insufficient’ evidence. An appeal over the acquittal is launched, which is still ongoing
March 27, 2025: A 60-year-old woman is charged with stalking the McCann family
May 3, 2025: Maddie’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann mark the 18th anniversary of her disappearance with a heartbreaking message
September 17, 2025: This is the date Brueckner could be released from prison if no further charges are brought

In April, ministers approved more than £100,000 in additional funding for Scotland Yard detectives investigating their older sister’s disappearance.

In a bold and shocking move just moments ago, Reform UK has made a game-changing announcement regarding immigration policy, issuing a stark directive to deport certain asylum seekers back to their home countries. This sweeping decree promises to ignite fierce debate across the nation as it raises questions about human rights, safety, and the future of the UK’s immigration system.

The party’s leader, who made this declaration during a press conference live-streamed across various news outlets, asserted that the current immigration policies have failed to protect British citizens and that this drastic measure is necessary for national security. “It’s time to take decisive action and reclaim our borders,” he proclaimed, setting the tone for what has become a critical and potentially polarizing policy shift. “We must ensure that our immigration system prioritizes those who truly need refuge—not those who are taking advantage of our hospitality.”

This announcement comes amid growing tension surrounding the UK’s ongoing immigration crisis, with recent statistics revealing an alarming upsurge in the number of individuals seeking asylum in the country. The government’s inability to effectively manage the influx has led to rising discontent among the populace, and Reform UK’s leader assured supporters that the time for discussion is over—what is now required is action.

As the news broke, reactions from various stakeholders began to pour in with swiftness. Supporters, consisting of a coalition of hardliners and some centrists within the Conservative Party, have lauded the move as a “necessary evil to restore order and protect the British way of life.” They argue that unchecked immigration has strained public services and costs taxpayers dearly. A vocal supporter, speaking from the crowded conference hall, insisted, “Deportation may be tough, but it’s the only way forward. We cannot compromise our sovereignty any longer.”

However, the announcement has also drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and asylum advocacy groups who warn of possible violations of international law. Critics argue that returning vulnerable individuals back to war-torn or oppressive nations could lead to devastating consequences and even loss of life. “This is not just a policy change; it’s a fundamental shift in the moral fabric of our society. We must not turn our backs on those who are fleeing persecution,” warned a spokesperson from a leading human rights campaign.

With the announcement rapidly unfolding, the political landscape is charged with tension. Activists have already begun organizing protests aimed at countering Reform UK’s hardline stance. Demonstrators took to the streets outside the conference venue chanting, “No Borders! No Deportations!” Their cries illustrate the deeply divided sentiments within the UK on immigration, further complicating an already intricate political issue.

Experts anticipate that this announcement will escalate into a pivotal moment in the upcoming general election, forcing candidates to take clear stances and potentially reshaping party alliances. “This isn’t just about deporting asylum seekers; it’s a referendum on our country’s values and what kind of society we wish to create,” warned one political analyst.

In the wake of this significant declaration, it remains unclear how the government will implement these deportations, especially considering existing obligations under international asylum agreements. Immigration lawyers are bracing for a wave of litigation as affected individuals and advocates prepare to challenge this potentially draconian approach in the courts.

As the nation holds its breath, it is evident that this announcement has set the stage for a fierce confrontation over immigration policy in the UK, with implications that could resonate for years to come. Reform UK’s resolute stance seems poised to attract both vehement support and unyielding opposition, propelling immigration back into the forefront of political discourse.

Trisha Goddard has delivered an emotional and uplifting message to fans after revealing that her latest hospital scans show her metastatic breast cancer has not spread to her brain.

Trisha Goddard, 68, shared a defiant and upbeat update with fans on Friday, after receiving the results that her metastatic breast cancer has not spread to her brain

The 68-year-old broadcaster, who was diagnosed with secondary – also known as stage four – breast cancer in 2023, took to social media on Friday to share the long-awaited results following routine MRI and CAT scans.

The broadcaster, who was diagnosed with incurable stage four breast cancer in 2023, posted a montage of hospital snaps and videos on social media

Trisha, who is also living with Raynaud’s syndrome – a condition that causes reduced blood flow to the fingers and toes and can be a side effect of chemotherapy – explained that frequent testing has become part of her everyday life.

The update came after she underwent routine MRI and CAT scans, which she described as a regular part of life amid ongoing treatment

In a series of hospital photos and videos, she appeared smiling and defiant, even posting a clip of herself dancing in front of her Christmas tree.

Joking about the unusual way she ended the year, she wrote:
“No better way to see out 2025 than by having a brain scan, eh?”

She added that she was grateful to receive her results quickly, writing: ‘Thank heavens, I got my results about an hour after my scan via a special app on my phone because I can’t imagine having to go into the New Year full of angst waiting for them’

She added that she was relieved to receive her results quickly through a medical app on her phone.

“Thank heavens I got my results about an hour after my scan,” she shared.
“I can’t imagine having to go into the New Year full of angst waiting for them.”

Screenshots included in the post confirmed the positive outcome, stating there was ‘no evidence of metastatic disease’ in her brain.

The post also included a clip of her dancing and grinning from ear to ear in front of her Christmas tree

Describing her ongoing treatment, Trisha explained how her oncology team monitor her condition closely through non-stop blood tests and scans.

It comes after Trisha opened up about living with stage four cancer in the famous Celebrity Big Brother house earlier this year in April (pictured with housemate Chesney Hawkes on CBB)

“That’s how they keep tabs on all those little f***er cancer cells they’re constantly playing Whack-A-Mole with,” she said, adding that her treatment plan is frequently adjusted to stay ahead of the disease.

The former talk-show host – who fronted Trisha from 1998 to 2004 – also thanked hospital staff who worked tirelessly over the festive period, praising the technicians, radiologists and doctors who treated her over New Year.

Making sure she was fit and well ahead of entering the house, she told Daily Mail: ‘I went to the infusion centre on April 1. I call it my spa room’ (pictured last month)

She used the moment to highlight the importance of patient-centred cancer care, revealing that she recently met with health minister Ashley Dalton – who is also living with metastatic breast cancer – to discuss her involvement in the upcoming Cancer Plan.

Trisha’s update follows another deeply emotional post she shared over Christmas to mark her birthday, proudly declaring:
“I made it! 68 today!”

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Last year, she made history by becoming the first person with terminal cancer to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house, where she spoke candidly about living with stage four cancer.

Explaining how she prepared to enter the house, she previously said:
“I went to the infusion centre on April 1 – I call it my spa room. I had a soupçon of chemo and targeted hormone therapy, then flew straight to the UK the next day.”

She described wearing compression garments, disinfecting surfaces on the plane, and undergoing further medical checks once she arrived in England.

“My oncologist is a rock star,” she said. “He told me, ‘I’m going to help you do this because your message of hope is so great.’”

Trisha has said she joined the show to prove to other patients that they should “not be scared of living” after a stage four diagnosis.

Jesy Nelson’s partner Zion Foster has broken his silence with a deeply emotional message of hope after the couple revealed their twin daughters have been diagnosed with a rare and life-limiting condition.

The former Little Mix star, 34, revealed earlier today that her eight-month-old twins, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, have been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1 — a severe genetic neuromuscular disease that causes progressive muscle weakness and affects breathing, swallowing and movement.

Following Jesy’s tearful Instagram video, Zion shared a new photograph of their daughters lying side by side, breathing tubes gently placed in their noses. Alongside the image, the proud dad wrote that the girls were “smiling through the challenges,” before adding a simple but powerful line: “Daddy loves you so much.”

Jesy admitted the last few months have been “the most gruelling three or four months” of her life, explaining that doctors warned the twins are “probably never going to be able to walk or regain their neck strength,” meaning they will live with lifelong disabilities.

Fighting back tears, she explained that SMA “affects every muscle in the body — legs, arms, breathing and swallowing — and essentially, over time, it kills the muscles.” She revealed the twins were rushed into urgent treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, stressing that without the treatment, “they will die.”

Jesy said the hospital has become her “second home,” adding that she has had to learn how to use breathing machines and perform medical procedures herself — “things no mother should ever have to do to their child.”

The singer, who endured a traumatic pregnancy complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and spent 10 weeks in hospital before giving birth prematurely at 31 weeks, admitted she feels as though her life has “done a 360.”

“I almost feel like I’m grieving a life I thought I was going to have with my children,” she confessed. Still, Jesy remains determined, telling fans she truly believes her daughters will “defy all the odds with the right help and do things that have never been done.”

Move over, every polished presenter who ever read a script about badgers: Britain has chosen its new natural-history heartbeat, and he’s a 6-foot-6 Sudanese-Scottish giant who learned to track lynx before he could drive, cries when otters hold hands, and once spent 42 straight nights sleeping in a hide just to film pine martens falling in love.

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Last night, BBC One dropped the first trailer for Hamza’s Wild Britain (a six-part landmark series launching spring 2026), and within four hours it became the most-watched BBC trailer in a decade. The final 15 seconds alone have been viewed 28 million times: Hamza, knee-deep in a Highland river at dawn, whispering so gently the microphone barely catches it as a mother otter teaches her pup to swim literally inches from his face. No music. Just his soft Glasgow-Sudanese lilt: “Look… she’s telling him the water will hold him, if he trusts it. Same thing my mum told me when we arrived in Scotland and I couldn’t speak a word of English.”

Hamza arrived in rural Northamptonshire from Sudan at age eight, speaking no English, clutching a bird book his father gave him “because birds don’t care what language you speak.” By twelve he was the weird kid cycling ten miles before school to photograph kingfishers. At sixteen he won Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year with a shot of a fox cub yawning that looked like it was laughing at the universe. University (Bangor, zoology) was just an excuse to live closer to puffins.

Then came the decade nobody saw: camera-operating on Planet Earth III, Springwatch, and Countryfile, always the guy in the muddy boots who could lie motionless for 14 hours until a badger sniffed his lens and decided he was harmless. Crew nicknamed him “the Otter Whisperer” after he filmed the first-ever footage of wild otters playing with pebbles in the Cairngorms, entirely by becoming part of the furniture for six weeks.

Gift baskets

His big break was accidental. In 2022 he entered Strictly Come Dancing “because my mum loves glitterballs and I thought it might pay for a new hide.” He won the whole thing with Jowita Przystał, foxtrotting like a man who’d spent his life learning rhythm from golden eagles soaring on thermals. Overnight, eight million people discovered the gentle giant who spoke about conservation between sambas.

The BBC pounced. First Hamza: Wild Isles (2024), then the Emmy-nominated Hamza’s Sudan (2025), where he returned to his birthplace to film the last northern white rhinos under the same stars he watched as a child. Critics called it “the most emotional hour of television this decade.” Viewers just called it “life-changing.”

Now Hamza’s Wild Britain is being billed as the spiritual successor to Attenborough’s Life on Earth. Shot entirely by Hamza himself (he still refuses a full camera crew because “animals don’t like strangers”), it promises never-before-seen behaviour: red squirrels teaching their young to tightrope-walk power lines, urban foxes using pedestrian crossings at night, golden eagles hunting in snowstorms so violent Hamza had to be roped to a cliff for three days.

The trailer’s money shot? Hamza lying flat on his stomach in a peat bog at 4 a.m., face inches from a wild mountain hare in its white winter coat. The hare slowly reaches out and touches his beard with its paw. Hamza doesn’t move, doesn’t breathe. When the hare eventually hops away, he whispers to camera, voice cracking: “Sometimes the wild decides you’re worth trusting. That’s the best feeling in the world.”

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Sir David himself has already given the ultimate blessing. In a rare statement, the 99-year-old legend said: “Hamza sees the natural world the way poets see love: with wonder that never ages. The baton isn’t being passed; it’s being shared.”

Social media is flooded with kids posting drawings of otters wearing glittery bow ties “for Uncle Hamza.” Primary schools are reporting record numbers of children wanting to become “rangers instead of YouTubers.” The RSPB’s junior membership has tripled in six months.

Hamza, being Hamza, responded to the “new Attenborough” hype with typical humility on Instagram last night: a simple photo of his muddy wellies next to a child’s drawing of an otter holding a glitterball, captioned, “I’m just the tall idiot who talks to animals. Thank you for letting me into your living rooms. I’ll try to make the planet prouder than I am right now.”

Britain has a new voice for its wild places, and it sounds like hope wrapped in a Highland breeze. Spring 2026 can’t come soon enough.

Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy is set to return to the PDC World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace in 2026, exactly a year after he handed the famous trophy to teenage sensation Luke Littler.

The Team GB icon, who won six Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles during his glittering cycling career, attended the world darts final for the first time last year – and the experience clearly stayed with him. Speaking ahead of this year’s championship, Hoy admitted he was blown away not just by Littler’s talent, but by his composure under pressure.

Reflecting on Littler’s historic world title win at just 17, Hoy said what struck him most was how effortlessly calm the teenager appeared on the biggest stage in darts. He explained that even if Littler had been in his late 30s or early 40s, with decades of experience behind him, his performance would still have been impressive – but to show that level of control at such a young age was extraordinary.

Hoy said: “What was remarkable was how Luke Littler, even if he’d been in his late 30s, early 40s, a veteran of his sport, he would still be impressive, but he was 17. It’s incredible how calm he was for a guy of his age and truly remarkable.”

He went on to underline how mentally demanding darts can be, noting that it often takes decades not only to master the skill, but to cope with the pressure that comes with it. “His age is the first thing that catches your attention and the fact that a sport that requires such skill normally takes decades to not just master, but to deal with the pressure,” Hoy said, adding that the mental side of the game is just as important as technical ability.

What impressed him most, however, was Littler’s apparent immunity to the chaos around him. Hoy said it was Littler’s coolness under pressure, relative to his age, that made him stand out, explaining that the young star seemed completely unaffected by the noise, expectation and intensity of the occasion. He noted that sporting heroes often feel like a different breed, removed from normal life, yet Littler appeared disarmingly ordinary as he walked onto the stage. According to Hoy, there was no visible weight on his shoulders – he simply embraced the moment. Crucially, Hoy stressed it wasn’t a one-off, pointing out that Littler has continued to perform at the highest level ever since, describing him as “a true marvel”.

Hoy’s return to Ally Pally this year is about far more than admiration for a rising star. He will be back in his role as an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, with tournament sponsor Paddy Power teaming up with the charity for its Even Bigger 180 campaign. The initiative pledges £1,000 for every 180 thrown during the tournament and £180,000 for every nine-dart finish, helping raise life-changing funds.

Sharing his pride in the campaign on social media, Hoy said it was fantastic to see the initiative raise over £1 million with several days still to go. He explained that the funds would make a tangible difference in the fight against prostate cancer, helping countless men and their families across the UK, and said he was delighted to support the campaign again and was looking forward to being back at Alexandra Palace for the final.

Away from the darts spotlight, Hoy has continued to speak openly about his health after revealing his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis in October 2024, having first shared earlier that year that he was undergoing treatment. Despite being told he may only have two to four years to live, Hoy has recently said he is responding positively to treatment and remains focused on living life fully.

He is also recovering from a broken leg following a serious mountain bike accident. Speaking candidly about how he is coping, Hoy said: “I’m doing all right. It’s been a funny couple of years, but it changes your perspective on everything, and you learn to kind of live more in the moment. In that respect, I’m doing really well. I’ve had a bit of a tumble on the mountain bike, which wasn’t ideal, but apart from that…”

He added that anyone who has faced a serious health diagnosis goes through a period of acceptance before finding a way forward. “You go through that initial period of getting to the stage of acceptance and then you just get on with life,” he said, explaining that having young children and responsibilities makes that mindset even more important. “It’s not easy but you find your way through and once you do, you recognise that you’re still in the same position. None of us know what’s going to happen in the future.”

A left-wing plot to block Nigel Farage’s march to No10 faces three huge hurdles, a polling guru has told GB News.

MPs from progressive parties have been working behind the scenes to establish a tactical voting strategy to thwart Reform’s surge at the next general election.

Similar campaigns were mounted in a bid to stop Brexit in 2019 and boot the Tories out of power in 2024.

Anti-Reform activists felt buoyed by Plaid Cymru’s success in the Caerphilly by-election last October, with Lindsay Whittle winning over thousands of ex-Labour supporters to see off Reform UK by 3,848 votes.

Research by More in Common suggests similar levels of tactical voting could cost Reform UK around 70 seats, leaving Mr Farage short of a majority.

However, Merlin Strategy founder Scarlett Maguire warned those hoping to block Mr Farage face three huge hurdles ahead of 2029.

Speaking to GB News, Ms Maguire said: “The Senedd by-election in Caerphilly clearly shows that there is a substantial appetite for progressive tactical voting to stop Reform, and Nigel Farage should be worried about the implications of that if replicated across the UK.

“However, there are some caveats. Firstly, it will be harder to rally a progressive tactical vote behind an unpopular Government and a Prime Minister as disliked as Keir Starmer is by those on the left and the right.

“Secondly, if the election boils down to a head-to-head between Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage, we could also expect some sort of tactical vote on the right – although not all Conservatives would stomach this.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage could lose a chunk of seats due to tactical voting

 

“Finally, and potentially most importantly, with the polls now a five-way fight, it is going to be very hard to work out who is best to defeat Reform in each constituency.

“This could make the practicalities of tactical voting much messier than many at the moment are anticipating.”

Progressive parties have already found it challenging to decide which candidate is best-placed to take on Reform in polls held since the 2024 General Election.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and Green Party have all claimed to be the self-appointed opposition to Reform UK.

Plaid Cymru’s Lindsay Whittle won the election with 15,961 votes | PA

The fragmentation on the left almost proved catastrophic in the Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse Holyrood by-election.

Labour, the SNP and Reform UK ended up securing a similar proportion of the vote, leaving just 1,471 ballots separating first and third place.

Meanwhile, polling firms have struggled to consistently show which party could secure the most progressive votes at Reform UK’s expense.

A similar problem has plagued progressive parties in other elections, with the Liberal Democrats and Labour both campaigning as the main challengers to the Tories in 2019 based on different data.

Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Ed Davey could struggle to stop Nigel Farage

 

Talks have so far been conducted behind the scenes, with Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs becoming increasingly jittery about Mr Farage’s support in the country.

However, Reform UK is already looking to consolidate itself as the main centre-right party ahead of crunch Local Elections in May.

Mr Farage has ramped up his attacks against Kemi Badenoch in recent weeks, connecting the Conservatives to the arrival of Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah and pointing out several Tory-led councils have requested a delay to polls slated for May 7.

A source close to Mr Farage told GB News: “We already know the political establishment will do everything it can to stop Reform.

Green leader Zack Polanski is not expected to form an alliance with Labour if Sir Keir Starmer remains Prime Minister

“It’s why every patriotic Brit who wants to secure borders, law and order, and create an economy that rewards hard work must vote for the only party that can beat the left: Reform.”

There is evidence to suggest Reform UK could also benefit from a similar form of tactical voting if voters fear it risks letting Sir Keir return to No10 in 2029.

Around half of 2024 Tory voters are planning to vote for Reform UK or would consider supporting Mr Farage at the next general election.

Despite Reform UK supporters being far less willing to support a Conservative candidate, a Tory campaign veteran suggested talks would need to take place ahead of 2029.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch speaking at their local election campaign launch at The Curzon Centre in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

“For the sake of the country, Labour needs to be stopped at all costs,” the top Tory told GB News.

“A serious conversation is needed the closer we get to the general election about how that is achieved.”

Ex-Business Secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Romford MP Andrew Rosindell have both called on Reform UK and the Conservative Party to unite ahead of the next general election.

Mr Farage helped propel Boris Johnson to No10 after standing down 317 Brexit Party candidates ahead of the 2019 General Election.

Scarlett Maguire is the founder of Merlin Strategy

However, Mr Farage and Mrs Badenoch have both dismissed speculation of a pact or merger in 2029.

The Reform UK leader said: “I would never do a deal with a party I don’t trust. No deals, just a reverse takeover.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Badenoch claimed: “If you get into bed with Farage, heaven forbid the image, we are done with your party.”

Green Party leader Zack Polanski sparked similar problems for progressives after ruling out any alliance with Labour if Sir Keir is still leader.

Thomɑs Skinner erupts ‘illegɑl immigrɑtion is out of control’ ɑs BBC Strictly stɑr rips into migrɑnt crisis: ‘I won’t be cɑncelled!’

WɑTCH HERE: Thomɑs Skinner’s emotionɑl exit speech with ɑmy Dowden ɑs they become the first couple voted out of this seɑson’s BBC Strictly Come Dɑncing

The Strictly Come Dɑncing stɑr took to X on Tuesdɑy evening to teɑr into the current stɑte of ɑffɑirs in the UK

Thomɑs Skinner hɑs unleɑshed ɑ no-holds-bɑrred ɑnd lengthy sociɑl mediɑ rɑnt, ripping into ɑ number of issues currently plɑguing the country, including illegɑl immigrɑtion ɑnd the cost-of-living crisis.

The Strictly Come Dɑncing stɑr, who bowed out of the competition ɑt the first hurdle eɑrlier this yeɑr, regulɑrly uses his X pɑge to highlight issues he feels need ɑddressing, ɑs well ɑs spreɑding positive ɑnd pɑtriotic updɑtes for his followers.

 

This time ɑround, Mr Skinner let loose by shɑring ɑ bullet-pointed list of problems fɑcing the populɑtion, ɑs well ɑs his suggestions on how they cɑn be solved.

His rɑnt comes ɑmid ɑ time when the government ɑnnounced plɑns to house ɑsylum seekers in militɑry bɑrrɑcks, wɑrnings thɑt Chɑncellor Rɑchel Reeves fɑces ɑ £20 billion blɑck hole in her next Budget, ɑnd when more thɑn 8,000 illegɑl migrɑnts hɑve been ɑrrested in ɑ new clɑmpdown.

Thomɑs Skinner is no strɑnger to hitting out ɑt the government’s running of the country

Kicking off his lengthy sociɑl mediɑ post, Mr Skinner ɑcknowledged thɑt “pretty much ɑll of us ɑre fed up with whɑt’s going on in the country right now” before going on to list the issues he felt were “wrong”.

His first complɑint centred on “people working hɑrder thɑn ever ɑnd still fɑlling behind”. He used the “ridiculous” cost of everydɑy items ɑs well ɑs other living costs ɑs exɑmples.

Second on his list were rising tɑxes while the quɑlity of public services declined. “Nothing feels fɑir ɑnymore. Go to ɑny hospitɑl in the country ɑnd see how overworked ɑnd underfunded it is,” he ɑdded.

Elsewhere, Mr Skinner criticised the property mɑrket ɑnd how it is “impossible” for youngsters to get on the property lɑdder nowɑdɑys. He ɑdded thɑt when “normɑl people” speɑk up on these issues, they’re often met with ridicule.

BBC Strictly: Thomɑs Skinner ɑnd ɑmy Dowden were the first couple booted off this yeɑr’s series

“Just look ɑt whɑt the press tried to do to me,” the Strictly stɑr sɑid. “ɑll becɑuse I sɑy it how it is ɑnd love my country.”

The sixth point on his list focussed on the smɑll boɑt crisis. “Illegɑl immigrɑtion is out of control. The system is broken ɑnd people feel unsɑfe, unheɑrd, ɑnd tɑken for grɑnted while they follow the rules. ɑnd it’s ɑll coming out of our tɑx money,” he fumed.

ɑfter providing his long list of gripes, Mr Skinner put his money where his mouth is ɑnd provided ɑ bunch of possible solutions.

He pointed out thɑt he’s “building reɑl locɑl businesses thɑt creɑte reɑl jobs for reɑl people ɑnd creɑte money for the locɑl economy”, ɑs well ɑs “trying to revive struggling high streets with ideɑs thɑt I hɑve to generɑte footfɑll ɑnd help locɑl shops”.

Mr Skinner ɑcknowledged he’s hɑd previous run-ins with the lɑw ɑnd is using his experience to speɑk to children in schools ɑnd youth clubs “ɑbout stɑying out of trouble” ɑnd “not mɑking the sɑme mistɑkes I did”.

ɑddressing his illegɑl immigrɑtion complɑint, Mr Skinner boldly insisted he no longer feɑrs being “cɑncelled” by  TV bosses. Insteɑd, he wɑnts to use his plɑtform to cɑll out the problems fɑcing the nɑtion.

He explɑined: “(I’ll be) speɑking openly on my plɑtform ɑbout the illegɑl immigrɑtion problem without feɑr of being cɑncelled.

“ɑ lot of people in the public eye ɑre too scɑred, ɑs they ɑre ɑfrɑid they will lose TV work. But it is ɑ problem. I will speɑk up.”

BBC Strictly: ɑmy Dowden ɑnd Thomɑs Skinner left the series ɑfter just two weeks | BBCHe concluded his sociɑl mediɑ post by signing off: “Look, I love this country ɑnd I believe in its people. I will bɑck our businesses, our trɑdes, our fɑmilies, our future. I will fight for the UK.

“But insteɑd of ɑll the ɑnger ɑnd hɑte ɑ lot of people give eɑch other online ɑnd in the mediɑ. Why don’t we ɑll stɑrt hɑving normɑl conversɑtions? Just common sense, ɑnd let’s work together to stɑrt doing something ɑbout it.

“I wɑnt ɑ better future for my kids, like 99 percent of the populɑtion does. So let’s stɑrt working together.”

Before long, severɑl of The ɑpprentice stɑr’s fɑns flocked to the comments to shɑre their thoughts on his tɑlking points, with mɑny in ɑgreement.

“It’s inspiring to see you using your plɑtform for chɑnge, Thomɑs,” one X user begɑn. “ɑddressing tough issues heɑd-on is where reɑl diɑlogues begin. Lets ɑmplify those bullet points ɑnd solutionschɑnge stɑrts with shɑred ideɑs, ɑnd the right conversɑtions cɑn spɑrk ɑ movement.”

“Legɑl migrɑtion is completely out of control too Tom,” ɑ second weighed in, before ɑ third sɑid: “You ɑre ɑ good mɑn.”

Meɑnwhile, ɑ fourth echoed: “Everyone knows it, but most ɑre too scɑred to sɑy it out loud……Keep up the good work Thomɑs.”

ɑnd ɑ fifth ɑdded: “Very well ɑrticulɑted. Hɑrd to see ɑny other outcome thɑn ‘tough’ now though, our politiciɑns ɑre not cɑpɑble of chɑnging ɑnything. (for the better ɑnywɑy).” (sic)

In a time when public figures often tread carefully around sensitive issues, two of Britain’s most recognizable television personalities — Dame Joanna Lumley and Rylan Clark — have emerged as unexpected voices of courage. Their recent comments on the UK’s growing migration crisis have sparked national debate, dividing opinion but earning both stars praise for their honesty and bravery.

Joanna Lumley, known for her elegance and sharp intellect, stunned audiences this week when she declared that the UK — “a small island nation” — simply “cannot feed millions.” Her words, though simple, struck a nerve. While critics accused her of being out of touch, thousands across the country applauded her for saying what many silently believe but are too afraid to express.

“Joanna’s not being cruel — she’s being real,” one supporter wrote online. “Someone finally said it.”

Meanwhile, Rylan Clark, the outspoken television host known for his quick wit and candor, made headlines of his own after describing the government’s immigration policies as “absolutely insane.” On This Morning, Rylan boldly defended the difference between supporting legal immigration and condemning illegal routes — a distinction that many politicians have avoided making publicly.

“You can be pro-immigration and still against chaos,” he insisted, a statement that instantly trended across social media.

The comments have earned both Lumley and Clark waves of backlash from critics and activists — but also admiration from ordinary Britons who feel ignored by mainstream voices. Despite facing complaints to Ofcom and intense media scrutiny, Rylan stood firm, later clarifying that his point was about fairness and balance, not exclusion.

For Lumley, her remarks echo decades of advocacy work on humanitarian issues — from refugees to sustainable development — proving her concern stems from compassion, not prejudice. She later emphasized the need for a “global approach” to migration that helps people at the source rather than overwhelming small host nations.

Yet one thing unites these two stars: neither is backing down. In an era where most celebrities fear cancellation or controversy, Joanna Lumley and Rylan Clark have done the unthinkable — they spoke their truth.

And whether you agree with them or not, Britain is talking. Loudly.