BREAKING NEWS! Strictly’s Lewis Cope bounces back in a HUGE way after his shock BBC exit — landing his first major acting role with a top production company!

Strictly Come Dancing’s Lewis Cope has announced a huge new career move following his shock exit from the BBC show.

The Emmerdale star, 30, and his professional partner Katya Jones, 36, were voted out by the judges after going head to head with Amber Davies, 29, and Nikita Kuzmin, 27, in the quarterfinal dance-off.

Fans admitted at the time that they were surprised talented Lewis didn’t make it further in the competition, but it won’t be the last they see of him.

Now, he has teased what fans can expect next as e revealed he will be taking on a new acting project.

Sharing an update to his Instagram Story on Wednesday, Lewis revealed that he will be working with FilmNation, but kept the details underwraps.

The American entertainment company have produced film’s such as Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman and Maria, which featured Angelina Jolie in the titular role.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Lewis Cope has announced a huge new career move following his shock exit from the BBC show

The Emmerdale star, 30, and his partner Katya Jones, 36, were voted out by the judges after going head to head with Amber Davies, 29, and Nikita Kuzmin, 27, in the quarterfinal

Lewis starred as Nicky Milligan in Emmerdale from 2022 until his character departed the soap in July 2024.

The actor recently revealed that he is set to reunite on the dance floor with pro partner Katya in a clip shared to Instagram.

Lewis and the professional dancer have announced that they will be hosting a one-off workshop in his native hometown of Hartlepool.

Posting on Katya’s Instagram stories, the two appeared in a video as Lewis said: ‘So a lot of people have been messaging us and commenting and saying they want to dance with us.

Katya jumped in and added: ‘So we’ve decided that we want to dance with you.’

Lewis continued: ‘So we are going to do a workshop in Hartlepool, the link will be somewhere around here and in our bios.

‘If you want to come and dance with us, meet us, ask us questions, hang out with us – how exciting!’

They included a link to the tickets for the one-off date of Sunday 22nd February from 10am to 11:30am, with general admission being £75.00, with a £2.00 booking fee.

Despite both being at the top end of the leaderboard for Musicals week, Lewis and Amber had to perform their routines once more to fight for their place in next week’s semi-finals.

Sharing an update to his Instagram Story on Wednesday, Lewis revealed that he will be working with FilmNation, but kept the details underwraps

The actor recently revealed that he is set to reunite on the dance floor with pro partner Katyain a clip shared to Instagram

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Strictly Come Dancing fans furious as Lewis Cope leaves the competition

Amber and Nikita – who scored 40 on Saturday night – performed their Charleston to Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat from Guys and Dolls, before Lewis and Katya performed their Salsa to Dance at the Gym from West Side Story.

Shirley said of the dance off result: ‘I’m speechless. Absolutely speechless. You have to dance for your place in the semi-final. We are all admiring all of you. May the best man win’.

Motsi Mabuse had the casting vote and also decided to put Amber and Nikita through to the semi-final, after the other three judges voted for the former Love Island star.

Fans were outraged by the dance off results as many thought Lewis deserved to win this year’s glitterball.

They wrote on X: ‘I’m so heartbroken for Katya, I really thought she’d win it this year’;

TV ROW EXPLODES Laura Woods has gone SCORCHED EARTH, branding disgraced ex-Sky Sports anchor Richard Keys a “tt”** after his so-called tribute to late football legend Terry Yorath sparked outrage

Laura Woods has led the outrage aimed at former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys after his apparent tribute to Terry Yorath.

Leeds and Wales legend Yorath’s death was announced on Thursday after a short illness, with daughter Gabby Logan rushing to his side on Wednesday night as she left Match Of The Day mid-broadcast.

Keys and Logan have been butting heads for a number of years, with the latter, who currently works for the likes of BBC Sport and Prime Video, making a series of accusations against the former Sky Sports host in 2022.

68-year-old Keys – who now works alongside his broadcast partner Andy Gray on beIN Sports in the Middle East – vowed to take legal action against Logan after her claims in her memoirs.

Now he has taken his latest dig in an apparent tribute to Yorath. He wrote on X: ‘Sad to hear the news of Terry Yorath’s passing. He was a warrior & won fans over wherever he played. He was great for us at Coventry & the reason I got Gabby a job at Sky. I had no idea who she was when we met but I knew her dad. RIP Terry. Your daughter did you proud.’

Woods, meanwhile, who works for TNT Sports, was one of the first to hit back, posting: ‘Sorry… but what a t**t. Said with zero surprise.’ She later added: ‘Also want to add my respects to the thousands of others who are showing theirs compassionately to a much beloved broadcaster and her family. Sending all my love x.’

Laura Woods has called out Richard Keys over his tribute to Terry Yorath following his passing

Keys (pictured right with Andy Gray and John Terry) appeared to reference his years-long feud with Yorath’s daughter, Gabby Logan, in his social media post

Logan rushed from Match Of The Day duties to be by her father’s side on Wednesday evening

Meanwhile Dan Walker, who worked alongside Logan at the BBC, replied: ‘Richard, just imagine what it would be like for Gabby, or a member of her family, to read this.

‘I’m hoping you have just worded this badly and it isn’t a dig at a really difficult time. There is still time to change it.’

Keys would later respond, posting: ‘What a shame my words for a footballing hero of mine were entirely misinterpreted. Terry Yorath was a fabulous guy. A warrior. My affection for him meant I was more than happy to help him & his family in any way I could. Gabby’s career would make any father proud. RIP Terry.’

Among Logan’s allegations in 2022 were that Keys and Gray joked about refusing to have sex with pregnant women while Logan was carrying twins.

Keys took a huge swipe at Logan and said she ‘always had an awful lot to say’ – revealing she was known as ‘The Gabbler’ when he worked with her in broadcasting.

He called many of her claims ‘nonsense’ and ‘very sad’ as he disputed the allegations, including that he was sacked from Sky Sports over misogyny towards lineswoman Sian Massey in 2011.

In detailed extracts from her memoir, Logan recounted a conversation between Keys and Gray on a flight to Istanbul ahead of the 2005 Champions League final.

Logan wrote: ‘I was seven months pregnant with twins, and I was huge. I looked like I’d swallowed a space hopper.

Keys said he ‘got Gabby a job at Sky’ because of her father in his controversial message

Woods branded Keys a t**t and said she was not surprised about the apparent nature of his message

Former BBC Sport man Dan Walker also jumped to the defence of Logan in the post’s replies

‘In full earshot of me – and anyone who might be listening in our business-class cabin – Richard said: “So, Andy, what do you think of pregnant women?”

‘”I’m afraid I don’t find them very attractive, Richard. In fact, I never slept with my wife when she was pregnant with our kids.”

‘”So you didn’t have sex, Andy?” Keys asked.

‘”No, I didn’t say that, Richard.”

‘Then they laughed their heads off at their little “comedy” routine.

‘I was embarrassed, of course, and thought their comments were especially cruel, bearing in mind they both had children and wives of their own.’

Logan added: ‘Keys and Gray were dinosaurs, waiting to become extinct.’

Responding to her claims initially, Keys said he would refer the matter to his lawyers.

Keys left Sky Sports in 2011 over allegations that he was misogynistic towards lineswoman Sian Massey

In response, Keys posted: ‘With reference to an article published by The Mail on Sunday written by Ms Gabby Logan. Ms Logan has made a number of wildly inaccurate allegations in the process of defaming my reputation.

‘I have referred the matter to lawyers with a view to proceeding with libel action.’

Elsewhere in the book extract, Logan alleged: ‘I don’t really want to write a lot about Richard Keys; he was dismissed, along with Gray, when they were caught talking lewdly about the lineswoman Sian Massey, and after he was caught asking pundits in the studio if they would “smash it”, referring to another woman.

‘In one painful-to-listen-to monologue aimed at saving his UK career, he tried to argue that he couldn’t be sexist, because he’d helped get me a job and kick-started my career. He truly didn’t get it.’

Keys told the Telegraph in 2022: ‘I did more for her (Logan), in the early part of her career, than anybody,’ Keys added. ‘Andy and I were easy targets.

‘It’s easy to have a go at us. I don’t intend to see her in court, but I think there are things that can be settled away from that.’

Last year, Keys warned Kelly Cates of taking on the role as joint host of Match Of The Day, which she is now carrying out alongside Mark Chapman and Logan.

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Writing in his blog, he posted: ‘Congrats to Kelly Cates on her new job. I’m proud of her but not surprised. Success has many fathers and I’m sure there’ll be a few people lining up to take credit for her career, but Kelly, Kenny and me know the truth.

‘Kenny and I once fell out about her getting a job at Sky. “It meant she didn’t finish Uni” he said to me. “No” I replied. “But you asked me to get her a job”. Her dad is a man of many contradictions – but that one was a belter. I’m not holding my breath expecting he’ll call now to apologise.

‘Kelly is good. Very good. But I’m still surprised she’s making the move. There’s nothing like presenting live football. I would never have made that decision. Highlights shows are deadly dull.

‘MotD desperately needs fresh blood, but I’m not sure it will survive for very much longer. Eventually Grandstand died for similar reasons – the march of time.’

Steph McGovern Makes Shock Return To The BBC With Brand-New Show Five Years After Quitting For Channel 4 – And Her Comeback Is Bigger Than Anyone Expected

Steph McGovern is set to make her return to the BBC to host a brand new TV show, five years after she quit to move to Channel 4 (pictured in December)

Steph McGovern is officially heading back to the BBC, five years after leaving the corporation to join Channel 4, in a move that has surprised many in the TV world.

The presenter, 43, originally left the BBC in 2019 to go on maternity leave but later joined Channel 4 to host her own programme Steph’s Packed Lunch. But it was axed in 2023

The 43-year-old presenter originally stepped away from the BBC in 2019 to go on maternity leave, before later joining Channel 4 where she fronted her own daytime show, Steph’s Packed Lunch. However, the programme was axed in 2023, leaving fans wondering when they might see her back on screen.

Steph will front new programme The Big Deal, in which a group of amateur art dealers battle it out as they buy and sell artworks (pictured in July)

Now, Steph is set to host a brand-new BBC series titled The Big Deal, in which a group of amateur art dealers go head-to-head as they buy and sell artworks in a bid to turn a profit.

Back in October, Steph revealed she would be taking over legendary BBC series Crimewatch Live

The six-part limited series is due to premiere later this year, with an exact launch date yet to be confirmed.

Speaking to The Mirror, Steph explained:
“While lots of people are happy to splash out on theatre tickets, music festivals or holidays abroad, spending time and money looking at or buying art can feel a bit more intimidating.”

“This show dispels the myth that art is exclusive. I’m buzzing for you to see how our dealers, from all walks of life, get on when we take them into the heart of the art market, with the ultimate aim of making money.”

Since then, viewers have missed her presence on daytime television, but in October Steph confirmed she would be taking over the legendary BBC series Crimewatch Live.

Sharing the news on social media, she posted a snap alongside co-presenter Rav Wilding and wrote:

“The news is out. Starting Monday #Crimewatch.”

She will join the programme alongside Scottish presenter Jennifer Reoch, with the pair sharing hosting duties across the three-week run. Steph will front the first two Mondays and Tuesdays, with Jennifer taking over from Wednesday to Friday, before Steph hosts the entire third week.

It has now been 40 years since the original Crimewatch launched, with the format combining crime reconstructions and public appeals to help police solve cases. Since becoming Crimewatch Live, the show has led to multiple arrests and charges.

The new series will feature fresh reconstructions, wanted appeals and updates on ongoing investigations, covering offences ranging from robbery to assault and murder.

Shirley Ballas is once again open to romance — and this time, she knows exactly what she’s looking for.

Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas says she’s ‘had a date or two’ after splitting with boyfriend Danny Taylor just over a year ago

The Strictly Come Dancing head judge, 65, has confirmed she is officially back on the dating scene, more than a year after ending her relationship with actor Danny Taylor, 52, following the cancellation of their wedding.

As the old song goes, Shirley appears to be “in the mood for love” once again.

Shirley met Danny while they worked on the same pantomime in 2016, but she confirmed the end of their relationship last year.

“I may have had a date or two,” she admits candidly, revealing that after stepping back from romance to focus on caring for her mother Audrey, 88, she is now open to new possibilities.

“I know my truth. I know my authentic self,” Shirley says. “If I want to go out on a date, I will go. Nothing serious. No labels, no tags.”

Love Can Wait — Strictly Comes First

The Strictly head judge has been married twice, first to Sammy Stopford from 1980 to 1984, and then to Corky Ballas (pictured) from 1985 to 2007

Any romantic plans will have to pause briefly, however, as Shirley is preparing to embark on the Strictly Come Dancing Live arena tour, performing 30 shows across the UK in front of packed crowds of more than 10,000 people.

“I love meeting the audiences,” she says warmly. “I want to give as much time as I can to the people who come to see us, because without them, we wouldn’t have a show like we do.”

She joined Strictly as head judge in 2017, won viewers over immediately with her expert knowledge, strict standards and Scouse warmth

Between touring, teaching, adjudicating, and sharing a home with Audrey in southeast London, Shirley has still managed to make time for a little flirtation.

“I’ve met several nice people over the years,” she explains. “If somebody asks me out and I like them, I go. If I don’t, I don’t bother. But I am very careful. I’ll have known them for a while.”

A Life Shaped by Love and Loss

Shirley ended her relationship with Danny six months after they called off their wedding

Shirley was first married to ballroom dancer Sammy Stopford from 1980 to 1984, before tying the knot with her dance partner Corky Ballas in 1985. Together, they became champions of the ballroom world before separating in 2007.

Shirley’s main focus is still her mother, Audrey, who is ‘in remission from cancer and has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]’

She joined Strictly Come Dancing as head judge in 2017, quickly winning viewers over with her expertise, high standards and unmistakable Scouse warmth. She later met Danny Taylor while appearing in the same pantomime in 2016, but confirmed their split in late 2024.

So what is she searching for now?

“Humour,” Shirley says. “And intellect.”

Revealing the secret to her slim physique she said: ‘I juice throughout the day and have only one meal. I’m the slimmest I’ve been since 2017. I do hotpod yoga every day and get quite upset if I can’t do it. That is my sanctuary’

Generosity matters too. “I’ve always been the person who pays for everybody, so it’s quite nice when someone says, ‘No, I’ve got this.’ Somebody smart, well kept, who takes care of themselves. I like that kind of guy.”

Discipline, Health — and One Chocolate at a Time

The man who catches Shirley’s eye will be dating someone exceptionally organised.

Speaking about going away on tour, Shirley said: ‘There’s always somebody around. I check in on Mum every couple of hours. She thinks I’m a total pain in the a***’

“I juice throughout the day and have one meal,” she reveals. “I’m the slimmest I’ve been since 2017.  I do hotpod yoga every day — it’s my sanctuary.”

Her diet is strict, though not joyless. “If I’m in my mum’s bedroom, she has a whole box of Quality Street — but I’ll just have one. Self-discipline is key.”

She adds: “I never leave the house without making my bed. I tidy before the cleaner comes. I write lists. I’m never late.”

As for Dry January? “I don’t really drink much anyway, but if I go on a date, maybe a nice bottle of wine and a brandy with one ice cube.”

Family Comes First

In regards to the scandals she added: ‘I don’t think anything taints the show,’ she says, defiantly. ‘We’re still thriving. We’ve still got a 54 per cent share of the TV audience’

Despite her openness to love, Shirley’s main focus remains her mother Audrey, who is in remission from cancer and also lives with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“She’s doing the best one can do for an 88-year-old,” Shirley says.

Touring doesn’t worry her. “There’s always someone around. My best friend of 60 years lives across the road. I check in on Mum every couple of hours — she thinks I’m a total pain in the a***.”

Strictly, Scandals — and Standing Firm

Shirley’s fellow judge Anton Du Beke has made no secret of the fact he’d love to host, as his hero once did

Addressing the controversies that have surrounded Strictly, Shirley is unapologetically defiant.

“I don’t think anything taints the show,” she insists. “We’re still thriving. We’ve still got a 54 per cent share of the TV audience.”

On allegations involving former professionals, she is clear: “I only go by what I see. If I don’t see it, as my mother says, ‘Shut your gob, Shirley.’”

Her message to viewers is simple: “If you think the show is icky, switch it off. If you enjoy it, keep watching.”

Still Dancing, Still Standing

With extra tour dates added due to overwhelming demand, it appears the public has firmly voted in Strictly’s favour.

Shirley, escorted on tour by her trusted friend George — “my mini-bodyguard” — says she feels lucky, grateful and excited.

“Fans queue from four in the morning in the cold just for a cuddle and a photo. I think that’s wonderful,” she says.

As for what lies ahead? “It’s a little holiday, a chance to meet people — and I love every minute of it.”

Brooklyn is feuding with his family

Brooklyn Beckham could reconcile with his parents, it has been suggested, amid the 26-year-old’s ongoing feud with his family.

There have been reports for close to a year now claiming that Brooklyn is no longer speaking to his parents. It has also been claimed in recent weeks that he has blocked them on social media and issued them a legal letter.

Brooklyn isn’t in contact with his parents (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Brooklyn Beckham to reconcile with famous mum and dad amid feud?

In a new article for the Daily Mail, it has been suggested that Brooklyn may want to reconcile with his parents, despite being “keen to please” his wife, Nicola Peltz, who has also cut contact with the Beckhams.

“Brooklyn wants to do anything to make Nicola happy, but this is all getting out of control. I can’t imagine a world where Brooklyn wouldn’t want to see his parents again,” a source told the publication.

For now, the Beckhams have reportedly reluctantly accepted that Brooklyn doesn’t want to be in contact with them at present. It is worlds away from how close the family used to be. They were so close, in fact, that Brooklyn appeared to pay tribute to his dad, David, when he released his hot sauce brand.

Brooklyn’s hot sauce is called Cloud 23. 23 is the squad number David had on the back of his shirt at Real Madrid and LA Galaxy.

David and Victoria have ‘reluctantly accepted’ Brooklyn’s position (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Brooklyn is ‘very keen to please’ Nicola

The source then continued.

“It is clear that Brooklyn is very keen to please Nicola, but maybe, just maybe, he will at some point want to get back in touch with his parents,” they claimed.

“Nothing would make them happier.”

ED! has contacted Brooklyn’s representatives for comment.

Brooklyn and Nicola have no contact with the Beckhams (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Brooklyn Beckham’s legal letter to mum and dad amid feud

Earlier this month, it was reported that Brooklyn had sent his parents a legal letter.

According to The Sun, Brooklyn sent his parents a “desist” letter for them to only contact him through lawyers, and not to reach out via social media.

A source explained to the outlet that the reason Brooklyn blocked his family on Instagram was that Victoria and David were liking his posts.

The source added that Brooklyn allegedly feels like his parents are “ignoring” his wishes.

“He issued them with a letter at the end of last summer, asking for any correspondence to go via lawyers only, and wanted to try and make amends privately, not publicly,” the source claimed.

“They, of course, feel utterly bemused and devastated by this latest turn of events. There is no malice from their part. Only concern. But it’s clear that if there is going to be any reconciliation, it will be away from prying eyes,” they continued.

“This was a request via lawyers, not a direct legal threat. But it is an unprecedented move which shows how bad things have become.”

 FROM LORRAINE TO STRICTLY? — Christine Lampard lined up for a major BBC role following ITV shake-ups

Christine Lampard has reportedly become a ‘firm frontrunner to host Strictly Come Dancing’ after leaving ITV’s Lorraine.

The presenter, 46, now has much more time on her hands following her final stint hosting the daytime TV show after being axed amid the channel’s brutal cuts.

Thanks to Christine’s ‘huge fanbase and skill set’ BBC bosses are said to be eyeing her up to front the dance competition.

Tess and Claudia announced they would be stepping down from their roles on the show in a statement released in October, with speculation about their replacements being rife ever since.

A TV said of Christine: ‘She has a huge fanbase from her years fronting breakfast TV and is a pro at handling live TV, which is no mean feat.

‘Producers love the idea of casting a presenter who has previously taken part in the show as a contestant, as it has worked really well in the past on spin-off show It Takes Two.’

Christine Lampard has reportedly become a ‘firm frontrunner to host Strictly Come Dancing’ after leaving ITV’s Lorraine

Tess and Claudia announced they would be stepping down from their roles on the show in a statement released in October, with speculation about their replacements being rife ever since

They added to The Sun: ‘Now she has more free time she has become a firm frontrunner and a name on everyone’s lips.’

The Daily Mail has contacted Christine’s representative for comment.

Christine and Ranvir Singh, 48, were revealed to no longer be needed to stand in for main presenter Lorraine Kelly, 65, earlier this year due to her show facing the majority of cost cutting measures.

Good Morning Britain will now taking the 9-10am slot for 22 weeks of the year, leaving Lorraine to host all five days of the remaining 30 weeks.

Taking to Instagram Christine, who has guest presented the series since 2017, shared a heartfelt tribute to the crew who she branded ‘family’, before treated to a leaving party.

She posed for beaming selfies alongside Andi Peters, who hosts ITVs competitions, and the show’s fashion expert Jo Elvin ahead of being presented with gifts, Champagne and a huge bouquet.

Christine captioned the sweet reel: ‘After many years of being part of the @lorraine family it is now coming to an end. We’ve laughed, lunched and learnt so much from one another’.

Colleagues who have become the best of friends. As many of the team enter a new world in 2026, I want to thank every single person. I love you all! It has been the best of times’.

The presenter, 46, now has much more time on her hands following her final stint hosting the daytime TV show after being axed amid the channel’s brutal cuts

TV insiders said: ‘Producers love the idea of casting a presenter who has previously taken part in the show as a contestant, as it has worked really well in the past on It Takes Two’

Good Morning Britain will now taking the 9-10am slot for 22 weeks of the year, leaving Kelly to host for all five days for the remaining 30 weeks (Lorraine Kelly pictured)

It comes after Lorraine said she hoped audiences will ‘stay with her’ after ITV‘s decision to brutally slash and overhaul her show.

The iconic TV host, who previously branded the changes as ‘heartbreaking‘ but still refused to quit, said she ‘never takes her viewers for granted’ and hope they will weather the storm with her.

‘Hopefully the audience will still stay with us, because that’s the most important thing to me, is you know, that the audience are still enjoying what I do and the fact that people are so kind and they still watch after all these years,’.

She went on to reveal how her decades on TV has resulted in fans considering her a friend: ‘It’s something that I never, ever take for granted and I never take any, any of this for granted. I really don’t, because it’s, it’s an honour’.

Lorna Luxe has shared the most devastating update of her life – revealing that doctors have told her husband John’s cancer is now terminal and that further treatment is no longer possible.

The 43-year-old influencer has taken her 1.6 million Instagram followers on every step of their journey since former banker John was diagnosed with stage four adrenal cancer in 2023. But after a traumatic festive period, Lorna has now confirmed that the disease has spread to other organs and the couple have been left clinging to hope.

In a heartbreaking post, she wrote:
“John’s condition has worsened and he was hit with sepsis over Christmas. He’s back home with me now, but we’ve been told his cancer has progressed to other organs so treatment is no longer an option. But one thing about John, in the 16 years we’ve been married, his mindset has never wavered. We’re looking for a bit of a miracle.”

Just weeks ago, Lorna had revealed that a complication from John’s chemotherapy left him in organ failure. At one point, intensive care doctors were preparing her for the worst.

“My man is back in hospital… and while we’re both putting a brave face on it, these past few days haven’t been easy,” she explained at the time. “A complication with his chemo left him with organ failure and the ICU team were preparing me for the worst. But John isn’t the average patient – he’s somehow defied the odds.”

Despite the grim prognosis, Lorna says her husband’s spirit remains unbroken. She added that he had even been teasing her for not sharing updates online, insisting that the community they’ve built has become a lifeline.

“He’s been telling me off for not posting,” she wrote. “This is as much for him as it is for you.”

The couple’s battle has been long and brutal. In April 2023, John was first diagnosed with stage three cancer and underwent chemotherapy. He went into remission in 2024 – only for the disease to return months later, spreading to his brain and adrenal gland. Last month, he underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour.

Now, with options exhausted, Lorna is leaning heavily on the love pouring in from fans.

“We’re both so grateful for the messages of support and genuine kindness you’ve given us,” she said. “I don’t think I’d have got through this year without you – it’s become my lifeline.”

Followers flooded her page with messages of hope and love, urging John to keep fighting and reminding Lorna she isn’t facing this alone.

Through unimaginable heartbreak, Lorna Luxe is still holding onto the same word she keeps repeating – miracle.

65 DAYS WITHOUT FOOD and a woman on remand says she is “dying in this cell”. the hunger strike at hmp new hall is now being compared to the darkest chapters of british prison history, raising urgent questions about justice, delay and duty of care.

Hunger striker says ‘I’m dying in this cell’ after 65 days without food in prison

Heba Muraisi said she is struggling to breathe and has difficulty concentrating as she approaches 66 days on hunger strike while on remand in prison (Picture: Prisoners for Palestine)
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A hunger striker on remand over her alleged role in a Palestine Action raid has said she is ‘deteriorating’ and struggling to breathe.

Heba Muraisi is on day 65 without food after becoming the first member of an initial group of eight prisoners to begin the action.

Struggling to record audio over the course of several days, she said she is ‘terrified’ but kept going by ‘love and solidarity’ as her condition worsens at HMP New Hall in Flockton, West Yorkshire.

The hunger strike is believed to be the largest of its type in the British Isles since 1981, when 10 Irish prisoners died.

They included IRA leader Bobby Sands, who went 66 days without food.

The 31-year-old spent almost a week recording the answers to questions from Metro as she is having difficulty concentrating.

‘As each day passes I get weaker, aches worsen, headaches are frequent and concentrating is extremely difficult,’ she said.

‘My body shakes, I get dizzy to the point of nausea and now breathing is getting hard. I am deteriorating in this cell, I am dying.’

Supporters of the Palestine Action hunger strikers hold pictures showing three of the group including Heba Muraisi (Picture: Guy Smallman/Getty Images)

‘Denied communication’

The protester, from Barnet, north London, is awaiting trial over her alleged role in the break-in at a research and development facility owned by Elbit Systems, a UK subsidiary of an Israeli defence firm, in Filton near Bristol.

The lifeguard and florist was arrested in a dawn raid on November 19 last year, according to support group Prisoners for Palestine.

Her trial is not scheduled to take place until June, by which time she will have spent close to two years in prison on remand.

Muraisi said: ‘Prison is prison, it’s the same oppressive system under the false pretence that it is rehabilitation.

‘Here I’ve been heavily restricted and monitored, visitors not being approved, phone numbers being rejected including doctors, emails getting blocked, my legal team has been ignored.

‘On day 45 of my hunger strike I was threatened to be forcefully moved by a custodial manager in the presence of a senior officer.

‘I was moved away from my support system I had built, and the only friend I had made on this new wing was recently just moved.’

Heba Muraisi is on hunger strike at HMP New Hall in West Yorkshire as she awaits trial over her alleged role in a Palestine Action raid (Picture: Prisoners for Palestine)

What can happen during a hunger strike?

Ian Miller, a historian of hunger strikes in British prisons, told Metro that a hunger strike can typically play out physiologically as follows:

Days One to Seven: decreasing heart rate, physical wasting, weight loss (as bodies eat up their fat reserves in the adipose tissue.

Days Eight to Fourteen: Bodies begin using glycogen stores (energy located in the liver and muscles). Ammonia produced giving a distinctive smell. Weight loss slows down. Loss of heart mass causing a slow heart beat.

Days Fifteen Onwards: Tendencies to collapse and become bedbound. Nightmares very common early on. Physical and psychological health worsens significantly. Very disturbed sleep. ‘Raving all night’, as one hunger strike termed it in the 1920s.

Around twenty to sixty/seventy days: Patients essentially in a state of complete exhaustion, but often still conscious until around 50 days.

Over 70 days: With zero medical intervention or food, this seems to be roughly the limit of survival. In 1920, hunger striker Terence MacSwiney lasted 74 days before he died.
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Mum’s prayers

Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed and Lewie Chiaramello are also taking part in the hunger strike, while Amu Gib, Jon Cink, Umer Khalid and Qesser Zuhrah have ‘paused’ their participation.

All eight are on remand, charged with offences relating to break-ins and criminal damage either at Elbit in August 2024 or another raid at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire in June last year.

The protesters’ demands include ‘end all censorship’ of communication and correspondence in jail, immediate bail, ‘right to a fair trial’, de-proscribing Palestine Action and shutting Elbit down.

Muraisi, who has family in Rafah on the Gaza Strip, has previously stated that she ‘will not compromise until all demands are met’ and will ‘continue to fight and resist’ in prison.

Heba Muraisi looks outside her prison cell at HMP New Hall as she continues her hunger strike while on remand (Picture: Prisoners for Palestine)
She said: ‘It’s the love and solidarity from the people and my mum’s duas (personal prayer) that give me strength.
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‘And it’s the rage from the injustice my comrades and I are facing that keeps me going. I’m well aware that things could turn at any minute, I’m terrified, I’d be stupid not to be.

‘As of today, I’ve been held on remand for 409 days while awaiting trial.

‘To make things worse I’ve been moved nearly 188 miles up north away from my family and support system.’

Muraisi has daily calls with her mum but said: ‘When New Hall cut off my phone line for ridiculous security reasons it just causes unnecessary distress for her.’ Asked if her family supported her hunger strike, she replied: ‘I can’t say that my family support my current actions, but they understand why I’m doing it.’

From top left: Qesser Zuhrah, Amu Gib, Heba Muraisi, Jon Cink, Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed, Lewie Chiaramello and Muhammed Umer Khalid (Picture: Prisoners for Palestine)

‘Serious offences’

A spokesperson for Practice Plus Group, which manages healthcare on behalf of the NHS at New Hall, said: ‘We provide compassionate, evidence-based care in prisons and manage any patients who are refusing food in accordance with all the relevant policies and protocols, and in partnership with prison teams and the wider NHS.’
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The government maintains that it has no records from NHS staff that prison officers have obstructed healthcare.

Lord Timpson, minister of state for prisons, probation and reducing reoffending, said: ‘While very concerning, hunger strikes are not a new issue for our prisons.

‘Over the last five years, we’ve averaged over 200 a year and we have longstanding procedures in place to ensure prisoner safety.

‘Prison healthcare teams provide NHS care and continuously monitor the situation. HMPPS are clear that claims that hospital care is being refused are entirely misleading – they will always be taken when needed and a number of these prisoners have already been treated in hospital.

‘These prisoners are charged with serious offences including aggravated burglary and criminal damage.

‘Remand decisions are for independent judges, and lawyers can make representations to the court on behalf of their clients.

‘Ministers will not meet with them – we have a justice system that is based on the separation of powers, and the independent judiciary is the cornerstone of our system.

‘It would be entirely unconstitutional and inappropriate for ministers to intervene in ongoing legal cases.’

Britons have been filming themselves travelling to beaches in France and ‘destroying’ small   boats – gaining thousands of views in the process

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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.

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.

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!”

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.
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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.

Bob Mortimer has made a brutally honest confession about life after his emergency triple heart bypass — and it’s left fans both shocked and strangely moved.

The 66-year-old comedian, who survived a near-fatal cardiac event in 2015 when his heart stopped for 32 minutes, has admitted he’s choosing happiness over strict medical rules, even when those rules could extend his life.

“I’d rather take my chances”

After doctors discovered that 95% of his arteries were blocked, Mortimer was ordered to drastically reduce one of his greatest joys: cheese.

“The dietitian said I could have a matchbox-sized piece a week,” he recalled. “It broke my heart. Some people probably stick to it — but I think I’m in the group who’d rather have three years less.”

His refusal to follow the guidelines adds an unexpected twist to a health journey already packed with battles. Mortimer has previously spoken openly about living with arthritis, and last summer he was unable to walk after contracting shingles while filming his BBC series Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.

A man forever changed by a brush with death

Speaking on Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake earlier this year, Mortimer shared how his near-death experience shifted his entire perspective on time and mortality.

“I don’t feel scared about death,” he said. “I just feel frustrated thinking I won’t see how stories end — my children’s, my wife’s, football, everything happening in the world.”

He even described a surreal moment when he felt himself drifting toward “the light at the end of the tunnel”:

“I was going towards it, feeling happier than I’ve ever felt. It was extraordinary. Then I woke up the next day and I was OK. I thought, ‘This is great — I no longer fear death.’”

A wedding moments before surgery

In one of the most dramatic turns in his story, Mortimer revealed he married his long-time partner Lisa Matthews just 30 minutes before his life-saving operation. Doctors warned him urgently, and by Monday morning, an emergency exemption allowed the couple to wed at 9:30am — with Mortimer entering surgery at 10am.

Lockdown fears and unwavering humour

Mortimer has also spoken candidly about his arthritis and how the 2020 lockdown affected his health:
“I’ve done no exercise, eaten so much, drunk so much booze. Lockdown probably took two years off my life.”

And yet, amid every scare, every diagnosis, every dramatic twist… one thing hasn’t changed: his sharp humour — and his unapologetic devotion to cheese.