Pauline Quirke’s son Charlie has raised an eye-watering sum for Alzheimer’s Research UK after completing a deeply personal five-day charity challenge inspired by his mother’s life.
Charlie crossed the finish line of his Trek For A Cure in Buckinghamshire on Friday, having retraced the journey of his mum’s life following her dementia diagnosis in 2021. The fundraising total has now passed £177,000, with donations continuing to pour in.
Earlier this year, Pauline, 66 — best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous in the much-loved BBC sitcom Birds Of A Feather — stepped back “from all professional and commercial duties” as her family shared news of her condition.
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Over the course of five days, Charlie walked through places rich with meaning, from former schools and theatres to the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, where he was visibly overcome with emotion on arrival.
Reflecting on the experience, Charlie said he was humbled by the response, explaining that he “couldn’t thank people enough” for the love and support shown by those who joined him, sent messages or even stopped him in the street to express their gratitude. He admitted he was blown away by how much had been raised, adding that the trek was driven by a simple but powerful hope — to help find a cure and to thank everyone who stood behind his family.
The journey began in Chigwell, Essex — the setting of Birds Of A Feather — on December 8, with Linda Robson and Ray Winstone among those there to see him off. From there, Charlie travelled through east London, Surrey and Berkshire, stopping at significant locations from his mother’s life, including West Ham United’s training ground at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a club close to the family’s heart.
Family games
Throughout the trek, Charlie was joined by a number of familiar faces, including actors Mathew Baynton and Perry Benson, while television favourite Lorraine Kelly walked alongside him for the final stretch.
Charlie’s father, Steve Sheen, said the support went far beyond their own family, stressing that if nothing changes, “one in two will be directly affected by dementia,” whether through diagnosis, caring responsibilities or both — a reality he said society can no longer accept.
Alzheimer’s Research UK director Jessica Taylor-Khan praised Charlie’s efforts, saying the funds raised would make a real difference in accelerating progress towards a cure. She added that, just as importantly, Charlie had helped raise awareness and given a voice to countless families living with the devastation of dementia.
Davina McCall has quietly married her long-term partner Michael Douglas in a deeply intimate London ceremony that gathered only the people “who are truly special to them.” The presenter, 58, swapped a traditional gown for a chic white fur-look coat and lace hat as she stepped out of Marylebone Town Hall hand-in-hand with Michael, two months after their whirlwind engagement in Ibiza.
Photos captured the newlyweds beaming as they exited the registry office — Davina in white tights and ankle-strap heels, Michael in a vibrant blue suit — marking a moment friends say was driven by love, gratitude, and her recent health struggles. A source explained that after facing brain tumour surgery and a breast cancer diagnosis, “it just felt right to formalise their marriage. They didn’t see the point in waiting.”
Davina’s daughter Tilly, 21, posted a TikTok teasing the ceremony, while Davina later praised her “lovely” new husband online by sharing a poem describing how love is found not in grand gestures, but in everyday moments: “It’s not the flowers… it’s that cuppa in that favourite mug you use.”
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The couple reportedly exchanged vows on Friday in a private service of around ten guests, before attending a friend’s wedding the next day — their first outing as a married couple, proudly showing off her ring.
Davina and Michael had been close friends for years after meeting at Elstree Studios during her Big Brother days, but their bond deepened following her split from ex-husband Matthew Robertson. Their relationship weathered a turbulent period last year, when Davina feared Michael “didn’t want to be with me” while she was recovering from brain surgery. She said she kept asking him the same questions repeatedly and worried she was becoming a burden, but Michael reassured her, telling her: “What are you talking about? I love you — of course I want to be with you.”
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Doctors discovered a rare colloid cyst on her brain affecting only three in a million people; shortly after recovering, Davina found a lump in her breast while filming The Masked Singer, prompting another shocking diagnosis. Friends say the double health scare pushed the couple to rethink waiting for a big wedding and instead choose something meaningful, simple and close to home.
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While a larger celebration may come later, for now Davina and Michael have chosen to begin married life quietly — holding onto love, resilience, and the joy of a weekend that felt “perfect” to them.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Neil Jones first competed in 2019 with footballer Alex Scott (Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing’s Neil Jones has been celebrating his recent world record achievement.
The professional dancer, who joined the BBC show in 2016, doesn’t have a celebrity partner this series but remains a popular figure among fans.
Over the years, Neil has danced with celebrities such as Alex Scott, Nina Wadia and Toyah Willcox, and has also participated in the Strictly group performances.
Neil recently triumphed in the It Takes Two professional dance challenge, a segment of the spin-off show where professional dancers aim to perform the highest number of samba whisks in 30 seconds.
The challenge was overseen by judge Shirley Ballas and a Guinness World Records adjudicator, who scrutinised each performance to ensure correct technique and disqualified any incorrect steps.
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Janette Manrara made an announcement on It Takes Two(Image: BBC)
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On Thursday’s episode, Neil was declared the winner after achieving an impressive 58 whisks, despite having five moves disqualified.
Reflecting on his victory, he said: “It didn’t feel anything like a normal whisk but I didn’t care. I was thinking about the footwork and the speed and that was it.
“I’ve spent quite a few years being second, it’s got to be my time to be first,” reports Wales Online.
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Kai Widdrington and Neil Jones went head to head(Image: BBC)
He had previously joked that his win would “mean a lot to my daughter”, adding: “That’s what she wants, she said to me, ‘Daddy, I don’t want anything for Christmas, just that, if you can get me that.’ I said, I’ll do my best.”
Following his victory over fellow professional dancer Kai Widdrington, Neil jubilantly lifted both Kai and host Janette Manrara in celebration.
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Fans were ecstatic for him, with one exclaiming: “So pleased for Neil! He finally won something.”
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Neil took home the world record after coming in second place(Image: BBC)
“Very well deserved,” another fan commented, while a third posted: “Just brilliant.”
“Aww delighted for Neil,” another supporter penned, as another remarked: “It’s about damn time. Neil’s proudest #Strictly moment!!!”
One viewer chimed in: “Well done Neil so happy for him getting the record after 3 years in 2nd. Now give him a partner next year.”
The BBC dancer opened up on Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer
Amy Dowden has opened up about the impact her cancer journey has had on her identity and sense of self during an appearance on Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer on Friday evening.
The 35-year-old Welsh dancer, who underwent a second mastectomy just five weeks ago, spoke candidly about her evolving relationship with her body following years of treatment.
“Five weeks ago, I had another mastectomy, so I’m no longer emotionally attached to my body, but I am so proud of how far it’s come, and I’m so grateful for another shot at life,” she told viewers.
The Strictly Come Dancing professional who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, reflected on how dramatically different her circumstances are compared with her appearance on the same fundraising programme two years earlier.
Amy Dowden made an appearance on Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer
She revealed she continues to receive monthly injections at the oncology unit as part of her treatment, and said her hormone-fed cancer has caused medically induced menopause, a further challenge she must navigate.
“I don’t know if I’ll have the honour of being able to become a mum, which I desperately want to be able to,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion.
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Ms Dowden expressed deep gratitude for the clinicians who have supported her throughout her battle. “I’m so grateful for my medical team, the doctors and nurses who have kept me alive.”
The dancer also reflected on her 2023 appearance on the programme, when she appeared with a shaved head during the height of her treatment.
The dancer underwent a second mastectomy just five weeks ag
“Two years ago, very different story when I was here last,” she recalled. “I had no hair, I didn’t even recognise myself, actually, but I’m so proud of how far I’ve come.”
She described that period as the most challenging of her life.
“At the time I was going through the hardest journey of my life,” she said.
Ms Dowden was frank about the emotional toll of her diagnosis.
Ms Dowden was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023
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“A cancer diagnosis, it changes you forever. I’m no longer the person I was, and that’s not by choice.”
The star admitted she struggled deeply with her appearance and physical exhaustion.
“I hated the way I looked. I had no energy and I was scared,” she said, adding that she often cried herself to sleep.
Her husband, she revealed, would overhear her quietly weeping in the shower.
“I just longed for that old Amy back and I know I’m never, ever going to get her back,” she said.
Ms Dowden explained that for a long time she believed she would never return to dancing.
“I never thought I was going to get back on the dancefloor. I couldn’t see how I was going to get Amy back again.”
She was unable to partner a celebrity on Strictly in 2023 due to her treatment, but has since made her return to the BBC One show.
Amy Dowden and Thomas Skinner on Strictly
| (Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
“I just longed for that old Amy back and I know I’m never, ever going to get her back,” she said.
Ms Dowden explained that for a long time she believed she would never return to dancing.
“I never thought I was going to get back on the dancefloor. I couldn’t see how I was going to get Amy back again.”
She was unable to partner a celebrity on Strictly in 2023 due to her treatment, but has since made her return to the BBC One show.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will leave at the end of the upcoming series (Image: BBC)
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are edging closer to their final episode hosting Strictly Come Dancing, and BBC bosses have reportedly now shortlisted 10 stars to replace them. The duo will team up on Strictly for the final time during next week’s grand final, before making their last appearance alongside each other in the festive special, airing on Christmas Day. It’s no secret that BBC bosses have had a mammoth task on their hands attempting to find a replacement for Tess, 56, and Claudia, 53, who have co-hosted Strictly together since 2014.
Since they announced their exit in a joint statement in October, a number of names have been thrown into the mix as potential replacements. Keen to find the perfect on-screen pairing, BBC executives are reportedly putting stars through a series of chemistry tests to see who works best together. The three stars at the top of that list are Bradley Walsh, Alex Jones and Alan Carr. However, there are still seven other celebrities who are in for a chance of walking away with the prestigious gig.
Alan Carr is amongst the top three in the running (Image: Getty)
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A source told The Sun: “Replacing Claudia and Tess is a mammoth task but the BBC have whittled down the talent to 10 people. As well as Bradley, Alex and Alan, Rylan Clark, Rob Rinder, Zoe Ball, and Holly Willoughby will be at the chemistry day. Amanda Holden, Alison Hammond, and Angela Scanlon have made the cut too.”
“They will go to a studio and be put into different pairs to see who works together best. It could be two women or two men paired, or a mix. They will ultimately choose whoever has the best chemistry in each partnership.”
The insider acknowledged that Rylan, 37, and Alan, 49, already have strong on-screen partnerships with Rob Rinder and Amanda Holden through their respective shows, but are keen to form a new pairing to freshen things up.
They added: “Strictly bosses want to mix things up and see if there is a partnership within the ten that hasn’t been tried out before and is perfect.
BBC bosses are keen to find the perfect on-screen pairing to freshen up Strictly (Image: Getty)
“Ultimately, no one is bigger than the show so whichever lucky pair land the jobs will be the ones who the BBC think will be the perfect accompaniment to the series.”
It comes after Tess was left in tears while filming the pre-recorded Christmas episode. After the recording, an audience member said there was an overwhelming amount of emotion in the room at the close of the show.
“Tess and Claudia looked pretty choked as they grabbed hold of each other’s hands and said that this was the final time they were ever going to say ‘keeeeeep dancing,’” they told the Mirror. “They were fighting hard to hold it together, but it was clear they were saying that iconic catchphrase with more emotion than ever before.”
The insider added: “Tess was wiping away tears afterwards. She managed to do it in between takes, so on screen, she will look fine. But the audience knew, it all felt incredibly emotional. We were stamping and cheering and gave them a standing ovation at the end.”
Strictly’s Dianne Buswell admits ‘my little secret’ as she shares adorable Joe Sugg baby update
It was back in September that the professional dancer announced she was expecting a baby with her boyfriend, Joe Sugg
Strictly Come Dancing star Dianne Buswell
Dianne Buswell has shared some pictures from when her pregnancy was her ‘little secret’ from her Strictly Come Dancing co-stars as she compared pictures from then to now as she prepares to welcome her first child
It was back in September that the professional dancer announced she was expecting a baby with her boyfriend, Joe Sugg, who fans will recall she met on the BBC One dance show back in 2018 when they were partnered together and made it to the final.
They shared an adorable announcement video on social media, in which the parents-to-be could be seen in a clip standing behind a wooden easel with paint and paintbrushes as they got to work on their masterpiece.
The playful clip, set to the iconic Elton John track, Tiny Dancer, then saw the couple painting, before they turned the canvas around to reveal three stick figures – one of Dianne, one of Joe and a baby in the middle of them. They then captioned their post: “Our little baby boy [heart emoji]. We cannot wait to meet you.”
Dianne, who announced her pregnancy just before her return to Strictly, where she was seen being partnered with actor Stefan Dennis for the 2025 series, has since been sharing updates, alongside Joe, on their journey to becoming a mum and dad.
Joe is getting ready for his and Dianne’s arrival(Image: Dianne Buswell Instagram)
And in a new post, Joe shared a string of pictures in which he could be seen preparing for his little one’s arrival. In one snap, he could be seen putting a small nappy on a teddy, with Dianne resharing the photo to her Instagram Story and said: “HE’S PRACTISING,” alongside a string of almost-crying emojis.
Meanwhile, Dianne has given a glimpse at how much her baby bump has blossomed as she posted pictures of her sporting a catsuit for a recent pro dancer number on Strictly. During Sunday’s (December 7) Musicals Week results show, the professionals performed a sizzling group number to Cell Block Tango from Chicago.
But the performance was actually filmed back in the summer, when Dianne was yet to reveal she was pregnant. Having found the outfit during her recent day at Elstree Studios, the mum-to-be slipped it back on and highlighted the chance to her body.
Dianne slipped back into the outfit she wore before she announced her pregnancy
Alongside the images, the Australian star wrote: “Back when we filmed this number I hadn’t told any of the pros that I was pregnant yet it was my little secret …. last night I found my outfit on the rack and thought I would do a growth chart… He’s certainly grown.”
Fellow Strictly pro Lauren Oakley was quick to respond, gushing: “LOVE [heart emoji],” while Luba Mushtuk echoed: “[heart emoji] LOVE THIS.” Vito Coppola commented: “Gorjiiiiii,” as Strictly It Takes Two co-host simply posted a string of love heart emojis.
Fans were also quick to respond. @fabiak19 shared: “Love this!! how crazy what a woman’s body can do!! looks incredible.” @tamsin_niven wrote: “I find it so cool that you have all this documented that you can look back on as a family.” @rebecca.2001x shared: “Oh I love. It really does show you how quickly time goes.” @buswellla added: “Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!!! he has grown so much.”
The Bachelorette alum Jason Tartick made his relationship with his new girlfriend, Kathryn Hurley, Instagram official on Friday, December 12.
Tartick, 37, shared several photos with Hurley in honor of her 34th birthday.
“From the dogs you save every day to the people whose lives you change, you make everything around you more beautiful,” he captioned the post. “Happy Birthday Kathryn!”
Us Weekly exclusively reported on November 15 that Tartick and Hurley had started dating after he adopted his dog Teddy from her nonprofit rescue center, Wags & Walks Nashville, earlier this year.
The news came three days after the couple sparked romance rumors when they were photographed looking cozy at the opening of Craig’s in Nashville.
Hurley amicably separated from her ex-husband, musician Rajiv Dhall, in April after nearly five years of marriage. They have since finalized their divorce.
In July, Tartick opened up to Us about getting his golden retriever mix from Wags & Walks Nashville, which Hurley founded in 2019, while also speaking about his love life.
“I think my next girlfriend’s gotta love dogs,” he teased at the time. “[She] has to be a fan of Teddy and the idea of rescuing. That’s so important.”
Tartick went on to say he is “very private” about his relationships, adding, “Dating in 2025 has been a wild and interesting ride.” He did, however, share that he was looking for a “teammate” in life.
“Some of the things for me that are nonnegotiable are support, loyalty, honesty through words and actions, consistency with care and respect, and also someone that just wants to just enjoy every aspect of life,” he explained. “I look up to my parents, but my parents have been married for over 40 years. And, of course, through the 40 years, there’s always challenges. And to watch them overcome every challenge over these 40 years and continue to just truly fall more in love every day is, like, one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. And they just always have each other’s back. I think that consistency and that teamwork are the dream for me.”
Tartick is best known for competing on season 14 of The Bachelorette starring Becca Kufrin in 2018. He finished in third place behind runner-up Blake Horstmann and winner Garrett Yrigoyen.
The following year, Tartick began dating season 11 Bachelorette lead Kaitlyn Bristowe. They got engaged in 2021 but split in 2023.
In April, Bristowe, 40, publicly called out Tartick for naming his dog Teddy, which she wanted to call her baby one day.
“I said the day I met him, ‘I want to name my baby Teddy,’” she claimed on her “Off the Vine” podcast before telling listeners that she was “not fully angry” but “really grossed out and disappointed” in her ex.
After his breakup from Bristowe, Tartick briefly dated social media influencer Kat Stickler — who has since been linked to John Mayer — last year.
Men who have filmed themselves slashing migrant boats are posing as accredited journalists to encourage asylum seekers to speak to them on camera
Daniel Thomas, right, and Ryan Bridge, have been offering migrants money to speak to them, with Bridge also pretending he is a journalist (Photo: Raise the Colours)
Sanya Burgess Investigations Correspondent
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British vigilantes have been posing as journalists in a new tactic designed to confront Channel migrants in France.
Migrants have been shown fake press cards and offered money by members of the group, as part of their efforts to film content for their anti-migrant social media pages.
These vigilantes’ actions have escalated from raising St George’s flags on English streets to travelling to France where they have been harassing migrants and slashing small boats used in Channel crossings.
The i Paper previously revealed how the vigilantes discussed a secret plot to misdirect police and send groups of British men to join their efforts in France but were rumbled when they were overheard in the pub.
Fake journalists offering real money
A new tactic used by the men is to pose asaccredited journalists. It appears they are doing this to encourage migrants they encounter in France to speak to them on camera.
In a video posted last month, the men are confronted by French police as they film a destroyed migrant boat on the beach. The officer asks whether the group have a press card. The footage suggests the men do not.
The following week, they uploaded a video of their return to France but this time one of the men is brandishing what appears to be a homemade press card printed out on white paper. Real press cards are plastic with identifying details about the journalist and a hologram printed onto a blue background.
Ryan Bridge, who is one of the leaders of the flag-raising Raise the Colours movement, is filmed holding what appears to be a DIY card out to a number of migrants. Ryan Bridge holds what appears to be a homemade press card (Photo: Raise the Colours)
In one such video, Bridge also asks a migrant if he would be interviewed, falsely telling the man he is “from the press association”, which is similar to the name of one of the UK’s leading news agencies.
It’s unclear if Bridge is actually claiming to be from this organisation, as later in the same clip he amends his introduction to say he is from “a press association called Raise the Colours”.
Blitz spirit vigilantes out of puff
Self-styled as a citizen’s army, the group of men dub their exploits as mock military campaigns, such as “Operation Overlord” – the codename for the Allies’ invasion of occupied Europe during the Second World War, beginning on D-Day, 6 June, 1944.
Bridge, along with Daniel Thomas, an associate of far-right leader Tommy Robinson, are positioned as the two main leaders. The pair shared a photo of themselves dressed in pseudo security forces outfits and boast of purchasing new equipment for themselves using donations, including stab-proof vests.
They are now attempting to sign up large numbers of English men to take direct action against migrants in France.
Their recruitment tactics involve pumping out a high volume of videos filmed in France of their confrontations with those in the Calais camps, with one recent video capturing a vigilante asking a potential migrant: “Do you want to speak to us for money? Do you want some money? Do you want some euro?” Ryan Bridge, left, with Daniel Thomas. Their use of Christianity to justify their actions has been criticised by the Church of England (Photo: Danny Thomas)
They film their “operations” in France, with a recent social media clip showing the vigilantes shouting abuse at migrants in a camp. It concludes with Bridge panting and out of breath having run a short distance to a waiting getaway carafter a water bottle is thrown at them on camera.
The group claims more than 5,500 men signed up within 24 hours of their recruitment site going live. This is despite there not being a large amount of traction online around their chosen hashtag “#OperationOverlord”.
This hashtag reached a daily peak of around 4,800 mentions on 28 November, the day the mission was launched. This dropped to only 100 posts featuring the hashtag on 1 December, according to figures collected by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue using social media monitoring tool Brandwatch.
Bishops warn vigilantes to stop co-opting Christianity
The men also attempt to pull on support by positioning their activities as the actions of English Christians protecting the Christian faith.
Two leading bishops have spoken out in response to the group’s use of religion to justify their behaviour. They warn that “any attempt to co-opt Christianity to particular political agendas or ideologies should be viewed with deep suspicion”.
In a bid to boost sign-ups, the vigilantes have continually highlighted their Christian faith and called on other Christians to join them. Thomasrefers to himself as a “warrior of faith”.
The vigilantes share images featuring Christian symbols of the cross and crucifix as well as pictures suggesting they are religious soldiers.
“Christianity is at the forefront of everything we do,” said Thomas at the start of one recent video.
This use of Christianity is alarming the Church of England, with two leading bishops speaking out against this misappropriation of their faith.
“Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude others is unacceptable, and I am gravely concerned about the use of Christian symbols and rhetoric to apparently justify racism, violence and anti-migrant behaviours,” said the Bishop of Southwark, the Right Rev Christopher Chessun.
He added: “I understand that there are many who may be swept up in movements like this who don’t necessarily buy-in wholesale to what is being said.
“I would encourage them to think again, to consider what kind of world they want to be a part of – and to choose compassion and understanding over hostility and violence.” The Right Rev Arun Arora, left, and Christopher Chessun, right. The two Bishops reflected concerns shared by the Church of England regarding the use of Christianity to justify anti-migrant vigilantism (Photo: Diocese of Leeds/Getty)
The Christian leader highlighted that the men’s behaviour is coinciding with preparations to celebrate Christmas, which is a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ, who was a Middle Eastern child “who, with his parents, became a refugee, fleeing those who would do them harm”.
The Bishop of Kirkstall, who is also the Church of England’s co-lead Bishop on Racial Justice, added: “Christ’s call to love your neighbour is a hallmark and authenticator for all of those who would seek to follow his teachings or act in His name.
“It is a non-negotiable teaching which is glaringly absent in the actions of these men,” the Right Rev Arun Arora said.
He continued: “Any attempt to co-opt Christianity to particular political agendas or ideologies should be viewed with deep suspicion. The far right has often sought to wrap itself in flags or symbols which belong to us all.”
HOCKING FOOTAGE: Masked Brits Raid French Beaches & KNIFE Migrant Dinghies “NOT ONE MORE!”
Britons have been filming themselves travelling to beaches in France and ‘destroying’ small boats – gaining thousands of views in the process
Boat insurance plans Sanya Burgess is an award-winning journalist whose investigations have included revealing Deliveroo was not paying the living wage to all riders, despite the company’s pledge to do so. She has also tracked disinformation and far right hate speech in the UK during the Southport riots, conspiracy theories about the attempted shooting of Donald Trump and revealed that Elon Musk was paying some of Tommy Robinson’s legal fees. She has also worked on issues relating to Big Tech and underage gambling, as well as uncovering war crimes and human rights abuses in Iran, Myanmar and the UAE – including the ‘hostage’ tapes of the detained Dubai Princess Latifa.
British vigilantes who spearheaded efforts to fly England flags across the country have launched a new anti-migrant protest – attempting to block illegal Channel crossings.
Using the term “Operation Stop The Boats”, members of the group have been filming themselves 𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 small boats before they are used by migrants to cross the English Channel from France
Posts on social media show members calling for other British men to join them in France, including making a direct appeal to football hooligans, saying “we need to make a stand”.
In one video message shared this week by a member of the Raise the Colours group – the grassroots movement that has seen flags fixed to lampposts, motorway bridges and roundabouts across England – two men are seen evoking military language and the spirit of the British fight against the Nazis in the Second World War.
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Claiming to be recording from the northern French coast, one said: “Just like in the 1940s, we must take a stand, and it starts with the men of England and Britain.”
Making an appeal to “firms” – a phrase that refers to football hooligan groups – the other man added: “Our country is doing nothing. Weak government, weaker borders.
“They are doing nothing, so we need to make a stand, boys. Get the lads together, get your firms together, get the lads in the pub, get the lads down the bars, if you’re talking about it and you agree with what we are doing, give us a hand.”
The Government is under pressure to act after more than 36,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats (Photo: raisethecolours.org.uk/Instagram)
The Government is under pressure to tackle the issue of migration amid a record number of asylum applications, surging small boat crossings and protests at hotels housing asylum seekers.
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On Monday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood set out a package of reforms to asylum policies aimed at tackling illegal migration, telling MPs the current situation is “out of control and unfair”.
The latest videos shared by those linked to the Raise the Colours group have separately been referred to as “Operation Overlord”.
Earlier clips showed two men saying they were taking matters of illegal migration into their own hands and filming themselves stamping on and smashing a small boat’s engine.
In the clips, they refer to themselves as “patriots” and make a number of claims without evidence, such as that they are stopping “rapists and murderers” from “coming to a town near you”.
One video shared by the group
The flag-raising group, who have a combined 100,000 followers on X and Instagram, also posted a plea on X for donations last week, writing that they are: “STOPPING The Boats, whether the migrants or government like it or not!”
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Two videos from the group have recently been shared to the 1.7 million X followers of Tommy Robinson. The far-right figure and former leader of the English Defence League, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has previously been accused of mobilising football hooligan firms in an attempt to launch anti-Muslim rallies across the country.
Separately, French media reports that the Dunkirk Public Prosecutor’s office has opened a preliminary investigation into “aggravated violence” against migrants by suspected British far-right figures.
One of the details being examined by the French prosecutor is the claim that in September, four men waving British and UK flags verbally and physically attacked migrants on the French coast. It is alleged that they told the migrants they were not welcome in England and proceeded to steal some of their belongings.
The men are not the first anti-migrant figures to travel to France in a bid to take matters into their own hands.
In September, Ukip, Nigel Farage’s former political party, posted a video to their X account showing what appeared to be sleeping migrants in France being woken by people flashing strobe lights in their faces and shouting at them.
Nick Tenconi, Ukip’s current leader, also posted a video captioned: “In Calais hunting for illegal invaders trying to cross into Britain.”
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This Morning viewers have issued a desperate plea to ITV over I’m A Celebrity favourite Tom Read Wilson.
Fans believe the 2025 jungle star may be destined for a regular slot on the show, after a successful debut appearance as an Agony Uncle on today’s (December 11) episode.
Tom Read Wilson appeared on This Morning today (Credit: ITV)
Tom Read Wilson impresses This Morning viewers
Having made his name on reality TV show Celebs Go Dating, Tom seemed the perfect candidate to give the audience at home advice on their juicy Christmas dilemmas. The segment followed Tom reflecting on his time in the jungle with presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard.
This Morning viewers were certainly impressed with how he fared, with many cheering him on on social media.
One person tweeted: “Tom for Agony Uncle#thismorning.” “I’m pleased we’ve got a bit more Tom today,” somebody else also agreed.
A third likewise gushed: “It is SO wonderful to see @TomReadWilson on this morning right now. You are fabulous, Tom!”
Tom Read Wilson recently starred on I’m A Celebrity (Credit: Cover Images)
Others also speculated over whether the star was being ‘screen-tested’ for future appearances on the programme.
One fan said: “I have to say Tom is really good with this advice, I can see him doing the This Morning competition next week.”
“Tom for Fridays#thismorning,” commented somebody else, calling for a presenting shake-up.
Is this a screen test for future presenting opportunities for @TomReadWilson #ThisMorning (I hope so) pic.twitter.com/o2JIKMhNnR
— Tasha – Mummy&Moose (@mummyandmoose) December 11, 2025
Meanwhile, another fan also asked: “Is this a screen test for future presenting opportunities for Tom Read Wilson #This Morning (I hope so).”
A fourth fan was keen to go a step further: “Even better, can we have Tom instead of Cat and Ben?”
After the final dilemma, Cat and Ben then quizzed Tom on whether he’d come back to play Agony Uncle again. Were they dropping hints, we wonder?!
Read More: I’m A Celebrity’s Tom Read Wilson ‘almost died’ on ‘nightmare’ date: ‘It was just ghastly’
Ryan Bridge holds what appears to be a homemade press card (Photo: Raise the Colours)
Ryan Bridge, left, with Daniel Thomas. Their use of Christianity to justify their actions has been criticised by the Church of England (Photo: Danny Thomas)
The Right Rev Arun Arora, left, and Christopher Chessun, right. The two Bishops reflected concerns shared by the Church of England regarding the use of Christianity to justify anti-migrant vigilantism (Photo: Diocese of Leeds/Getty)
