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Queen speaks for the first time about keeping Charles's diagnosis a secret

'I WAS LONGING

TO TELL

SOMEONE

THE KING

HAD CANCER'

BY EMILY FERGUSON Royal Editor

THE Queen has opened up for the first time about her strug- gle after the King's cancer diagnosis.

Camilla said she found it difficult not to talk about it when launching a cancer sup- port centre just days later, before the public was told.

Suffering

In a film released today, she reveals she was "long- ing" to share her experience with those she met at the centre that day who were suffering similar ordeals.

She says in the film: "Suddenly your husband is diagnosed and you think, 'Goodness, I've been talking to all these people, now I'm the one with some relation who's got to help to look after my poor husband and

TURN TO PAGE 4

Queen tells of her struggle after King, inset, was diagnosed

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Daily Express Wednesday, August 19, 2026

DIXIST

WEATHER FORECAST

Today's summary: Wet start, clear by evening

North West: Wet start with brief sunshine later. Strong breezes, turning cooler by evening. High 20C (68F).

Northern Ireland: Cloudy with showers, heavier later. Light winds with a mild feel throughout. High 18C (64F).

Wales: Cloudy with light rain early. Sunshine follows. Bride winds. Mild temperatures expected. High 21C (70F).

Midlands: Cloudy with occasional rain. Sunny spells later. Breezy and mild throughout. High 21C (70F).

North East/Yorks: Mostly wet, with brighter spells briefly. Breezy with mild temperatures. High 19C (66F).

Scotland: Cloudy with light precipitation, turning to sunshine. Mild westerly winds, staying mild. High 17C (63F).

East Anglia: Cloudy with light rain initially. Sun and showers later. Breezy, staying warm. High 23C (73F).

London/South East: Cloudy with light rain. Sunshine breaks through later. Breezy, staying warm. High 23C (73F).

South: Cloudy with light rain at times. Cleaner later. Breezy, staying mild. High 22C (72F).

South West: Cloudy with light rain early. Sun with showers later. Fresh winds, mild temperatures. High 21C (70F).

Channel Isles: Cloudy with light showers early. Brighter later with clear skies. Breezy and mild. High 21C (70F).

Sea: North Sea; Slight, Irish Sea; Moderate. Channel: Moderate.

UK OUTLOOK TOMORROW: Showers early, clearing to sunny spells. Breezy with occasional puffs. Cooler in the evening.

SIX-DAY FORECAST Temperatures in Centigrade

	THU		FRI		SAT		SUN		MON		TUE
	°C	°F	°C	°F	°C	°F	°C	°F	°C	°F	°C	°F
London	12	22	10	21	11	22	11	23	12	23	15	24
Belfast	9	17	8	16	10	17	10	18	12	18	13	17
Birmingham	9	19	8	19	8	19	8	21	9	22	13	22
Cardiff	11	22	10	20	9	21	10	22	11	23	14	22
Glasgow	9	17	8	17	10	17	10	17	11	18	13	19
Manchester	9	17	8	18	8	18	8	19	10	20	14	21
Newcastle	9	16	8	16	9	18	9	18	10	20	13	20
Norwich	12	20	10	19	9	19	10	20	11	21	13	22
Plymouth	12	22	11	20	11	21	11	22	13	22	14	21

Division	Date	Scale	Total	Britain yesterday				Mean, sun and fides
Number	Date	Scale	Total
Absolutes	2.0	0.05	14.18	Glasgow	1.2	0.57	15.17	HOCO: mean 2.0pm, wtd 14.1pm
Absolves	4.0	0.03	16.18	Hull	2.3	0.56	17.12	SUN: mean 2.0pm, wtd 14.1pm
Absolves	3.2	0.05	14.18	Ipswich	2.3	0.14	16.23	Manchester: mean 2.0pm, wtd 8.0pm
Befleet	1.3	0.24	16.18	Leeds	2.4	0.37	15.18	Fed Quarter
Birmingham	3.2	0.15	17.26	Lincoln	2.8	0.21	16.22	20 August
Brent	4.3	0.02	17.26	London	3.3	0.04	19.28	HIGH TIDE
Bristol	7.4	0.00	18.25	Manchester	1.5	0.37	16.21	London Bge (6.0am, 17.0pm)
Cardiff	4.4	0.03	17.24	Oxford	4.2	0.05	18.27	Liverpool (3.0am, 14.1pm)
Durham	2.5	0.44	14.19	Stampton	5.1	0.02	17.27	Greenwich (3.1am, 13.4pm)
Edinburgh	3.2	0.42	15.18	St Andrews	4.8	0.45	14.25	Coxen (4.0am, 14.2pm)
Britain	Normal: Heathrow, 3%				Lighting-up times				Glasgow: 8.4pm-5.8am
Extremes:	Collect: Whistler, 7%				Befleet: 8.4pm-5.8am				London: 8.1pm-5.5am
On Week:	Befleet: Year, 10.8pm				Birmingham: 8.3pm-5.8am				Manchester: 8.2pm-5.5am
on (from Monday)	Survival: Under: Royal 14.2-3.2pm				Bristol: 8.3pm-5.8am				Newcastle: 8.0pm-5.5am

Today		Europe forecast				Tomorrow
Amsterdam	Thunder	21C/70F	Amsterdam	Rain	21C/70F
Brussels	Showers	20C/80F	Brussels	Showers	21C/70F
Dublin	Thunder	20C/80F	Dublin	Showers	18C/64F
Frankfurt	Showers	20C/70F	Frankfurt	Rain	20C/70F
Geneva	Sunny	20C/81F	Geneva	Thunder	21C/81F
Lisbon	Fair	20C/80F	Lisbon	Rain	21C/81F
Madrid	Sunny	20C/81F	Madrid	Sunny	20C/80F
Paris	Thunder	20C/80F	Paris	Fair	21C/70F
Rome	Sunny	20C/81F	Rome	Fair	20C/81F

Around the world yesterday

Amsterdam	Shark	20	68	Hong Kong	Rain	30	66	New York	Cloudy	23	73
Alberta	Sunny	30	66	Malaysia	Sunny	25	77	New	Sunny	30	86
Barcelona	Sunny	32	90	Jersey	Crude	20	68	Nicosia	Fair	33	91
Berlin	Cloudy	25	68	Latina	Sunny	30	90	Perth	Cloudy	17	63
Budapest	Fair	24	68	Las Palmas	Sunny	28	82	Singapore	Shark	17	63
Cairo	Sunny	31	88	Los Angeles	Fair	24	75	Singapore	Sunny	32	90
Cape Town	Sunny	18	64	Laos	Sunny	28	100	Manhattan	Sunny	20	68
Casablanca	Sunny	27	81	Malaya	Sunny	31	88	Sydney	Fair	18	64
Cork	Sunny	32	88	Malaya	Sunny	33	91	St. Ann	Fair	31	88
Dublin	Cloudy	19	66	Malta	Sunny	31	88	Toronto	Sunny	28	82
Dubryash	Sunny	26	82	Melbourne	Fair	18	64	Toronto	Fair	25	77
Faro	Sandsm	24	75	Morin	Sunny	34	93	Tyres	Sunny	35	95
Florence	Sunny	32	90	Moscow	Fair	30	68	Venice	Sunny	27	81
Gibraltar	Fair	30	88	Nairobi	Cloudy	19	66	Venice	Rain	22	72
Guernsey	Cloudy	19	66	New Delhi	Fair	33	91	Warsaw	Thinly	18	64

WEATHER SERVICE 0906 156 0206

CALL OUR WEATHER LINE AND BE 100 CUBS TO SEE THE WITH YOUR CONNECTIONS UP TO 6.0C FIRED UNITS. CALL 0.2C 0.2C 0.2C FOR 4 WHEELS. PLUS YOUR TELEPHONE COMPANY'S NETWORK ACCESS CHARGE. SERVICE WITH 4AM - 6PM (MILE) 3F (20CM) (203.332.3200)

Supplied by MeteoGroup

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BY REBECCA ROBINSON

RAIL travellers faced severe delays yesterday as police carried out a controlled explosion on a suspicious vehicle outside a major London rail terminal.

Emergency services and the Metropolitan Police attended St Pancras station, leading to its temporary lockdown.

There were reports of a loud blast, with the Metropolitan Police confirming it carried out a controlled explosion. Images showed a damaged silver car with its windows ripped out from the blast and shattered glass on the floor.

East Midlands Railway said its London services to Sheffield, Nottingham and Corby, as well as routes serving Derby, Luton and Kettering, were affected. Eurostar issued an apology to travellers for any disruption to their journeys caused by the emergency response.

The Met later confirmed the unattended vehicle had been declared non-suspicious.

Dropping net zero 'could cut £200 off electric bills'

DROPPING net zero targets could cut up to £200 off household electricity bills, a report claims.

A huge £320billion of savings could be made by abandoning plans for all electricity to be from clean sources by 2030, removing carbon taxes and using a mix of nuclear, gas and renewables, according to research by Onward.

The centre-right think-tank said the change could see household energy bills fall by £200 a year by 2035.

Tony leader Nemi Badenoch said: "Britain needs a serious plan to deal with climate change, looking at results,

BY KATIE HARRIS

Senior Political Correspondent

not simply setting targets and congratulating ourselves afterwards.

"This report shows what a common sense approach looks like. Our plan means using our own oil and gas in the North Sea, removing unnecessary costs from energy bills and backing cheap, reliable, abundant energy for homes and businesses."

Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho said the report was "a true costing of renewables which shows

they are not cheaper when you take into account their full system cost".

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is under pressure to give the green light to more oil and gas drilling – with a final decision due on the Rosebank oil field and Jackdaw gas field.

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said: "Labour is investing in more clean energy jobs, cutting tax on electricity bills to give families breathing space this winter and we're taking action to tackle the climate crisis and bring down bills for good. We can't turn our back on clean power."

CORRECTIONS AND COMPLAINTS

If we've published anything factually inaccurate, please contact the readers' editor by email at expressletters@express.co.uk or write to Readers' Editor, Daily Express at One Canada Square, London E14 5AP and, once verified, we'll correct it as soon as possible. The Daily Express and Sunday Express are published by Express Newspapers, a subsidiary company of Reach PLC, which is a member of IPSO, the Independent Press Standards Organisation. We adhere to the Editors' Code Of Practice as enforced by IPSO, which is contactable

for advice at IPSO Gate House, 1 Farmington Street, EC4M 7LG. Website www.ipso.co.uk, telephone 0300/123 2220, email advice@ipso.co.uk. If you have a complaint concerning a potential breach of the Code of Practice, we will deal with your complaint directly or IPSO can refer your complaint to us. So to www.reachplc.com/how-to complain where you can view our Complaints Policy and Procedure. A How To Complain pack is also available by writing to the Legal & Compliance Dept. Reach PLC, One Canada Square, London E14 5AP.

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OPINION 12 TV 37 LETTERS 42 STARS 44 CITY 45 SPORT 52 PLUS PUZZLES PULLOUT

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DKIST

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After Alice Cooper is spotted in Scarborough...

Guess who I saw down the shops

BY JORDAN LLOYD BECK

ROCK legend Alice Cooper left locals speechless when he casually strolled into an independent shop in Scarborough to buy a tote bag last weekend.

But he's not the only celebrity to pop up in an unexpected place. Action hero Tom Cruise likes to eat local when he's on location - and posed with staff at Restaurant Lovage in Bakewell, Derbyshire, one night.

Rihanna chose to take the Tube to her own concert at London's O2, despite having several modes of private transport available. Hollywood star John Travolta was spotted sinking a few pints at the local

Wetherspoons in Dereham, Norfolk, while rapper Drake surprised staff at a Co-op store in Birmingham.

Bruce 'The Boss' Springsteen also posed for photos and signed copies of his albums when he visited a fish and chip shop in Dublin. He must have had a Hungry Heart...

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4

DIST

QUEEN'S CANDID

Pageantry, pony and pipes welcome King

THE King was officially welcomed to Balmoral Castle yesterday with a small ceremony at the gates.

The King, who is Colonel in Chief of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was welcomed by a Guard of Honour provided by the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland alongside their mascot, Shetland pony Corporal Cruachan IV.

Revived

The short ceremony included a performance from the Pipes and Drums of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS).

For the first time this year, the first two members of the revived Balmoral Highlanders, something the King has re-established following their disbandment in 1936, were stationed outside the

BY EMILY FERGUSON

Castle's gates. Both the new Highlanders are employees of the Balmoral Estate and will also take part in the Braemar Gathering in September, which the King and Queen are expected to attend.

Yesterday's ceremony marks the start of the King and Queen's official stay in Aberdeenshire, where they are expected to remain until the end of September.

While the King has eased up on his workload slightly in recent weeks, he has continued to undertake engagements in Scotland during his holiday.

Members of the Royal Family are expected to join the King and Queen at Balmoral over the coming months and Prime Minister Andy Burnham will be invited for a weekend stay with his wife Marie-France.

Camilla tells how reality of Charles's cancer fight suddenly hit home on visit

FROM PAGE ONE

try to understand it all'." While reeling from Charles's diagnosis, she continued with her royal duties by opening the centre on January 31, 2024 – five days before Buckingham Palace publicly announced the King had an undisclosed form of cancer for which he would start regular treatment.

Telling how difficult it was to keep the diagnosis secret while visiting the Maggie's cancer care centre that day, Camilla says in the film: "Nobody could say anything at the time. That was quite difficult.

"I almost said something but, you know, I felt that it wasn't the time to say.

"[I] looked at everybody who was suffering, and all the relations – and I think it made me realise

even more how important these places were."

The Queen, who is president of Maggie's, was speaking to chief executive Dame Laura Lee in a film marking the 30th anniversary of the charity.

Dame Laura tells Camilla it must have taken a lot of courage to open the centre at the Royal Free hospital in Hampstead, North London, that day, while coming to terms with her husband's diagnosis and having to keep it secret.

The Queen replies: "I was just longing to let it out, but obviously I couldn't."

Charles, 77, continues to receive treatment for the disease but after pausing public-facing duties for just under three months after his initial diagnosis over two-and-a-half years

ago, he has continued to throw himself into work.

The monarch has even undertaken particularly gruelling tours to Australia, Canada and the US, alongside his regular duties and engagements in the UK.

Positive

Last December, the King shared "good news" about his cancer, telling the public in a personal message that the regularity of his treatment could be significantly reduced – though he was not described as being in remission or "cured".

At the time, Buckingham Palace said the King's recovery had reached a very positive stage and that he had "responded exceptionally well to treatment", guidance

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CHAT TO CHARITY CHIEF

DRAFT

5

COMMENT

EMILY

FERGUSON

Royal Editor

WHILE the King has spoken openly about his cancer journey, the Queen has said very little about how her husband's diagnosis has affected her.

She frequently jokes about his need to slow down and his refusal to "do what he's told" due to his relentless work ethic, but has seldom told of its impact on her - until now.

In a candid chat with the head of cancer charity Maggie's, Camilla tells of the shock of her "poor husband's" diagnosis in January 2024.

Adding to the pressure was the fact that she had to keep it to herself until Buckingham Palace had informed the public.

Just days after the King's diagnosis she opened a new cancer centre, and in the film she says she found it difficult to keep secret this newly forged connection with patients and their families when chatting to them that day.

Shining

Anyone in her position would have found it daunting to work in an environment that hit so close to home, but Camilla conducted the engagement with her usual poise and cheeriness - giving away no indication of her own difficulties.

By opening up now she further humanises the King and Queen, and reminds the public that, despite their titles, they are a husband and wife who had to respond to cancer in the public eye together.

The King's decision to inform the public of his diagnosis, and provide regular updates, has helped improve public understanding, de-stigmatise the treatment journey and encourage conversations about difficult topics.

Now the Queen is shining a light on a charity that helps hundreds of thousands through similar situations.

Together, the couple are cementing a new era of openness that will help the millions of people facing the uncertain future that cancer brings.

The overriding message from both of them is: you are not alone, and by reaching out and having difficult conversations, you too can get through the very worst of times.

that remains unchanged. In the Maggie's film, the Queen and Dame Laura sit in ornate armchairs at Clarence House as they reflect on Her Majesty's poignant visit to the centre having just learned of her husband's condition.

Camilla, wearing a navy mid-dress with a white V-neck trim, says: "I remember coming to see a Maggie's just after the King had been diagnosed."

Dame Laura replies: "It was just a week before it became public, and the courage that must have taken for you to make that visit..."

Camilla admits her husband's very recent diagnosis had weighed heavy in her mind during the visit, and that it impacted how she interacted with visitors of the cancer care centre. Moving her hands

animatedly, the Queen tells Dame Laura that her instinct was to learn from those she met there.

She says: "I was almost questioning them. I didn't want to pry too deeply.

"Normally when I went in I was just talking to them, but I felt it much more deeply."

The seven-minute film was made by Buckingham Palace in conjunction with Maggie's to celebrate the impact the charity has had on cancer patients and their loved ones.

Since the first Maggie's centre opened in 1996 in the grounds of the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, the charity has redefined what cancer care should be.

It offers free psychological, emotional and practical support for the family and friends of people with

cancer, as well as for the patients themselves.

This includes financial advice, guidance on how to tell children about a diagnosis, and help getting back to normal after treatment has concluded.

Encouraged

As well as the conversation with the Queen, who has been the charity's president since 2008, the film features conversations with users who describe Maggie's as a lifeline.

There is also an excerpt from Her Majesty's visit to the centre in Cheltenham, Glos, in January this year when she gave a speech to mark the charity's 30th anniversary.

Dame Laura tells Camilla that

the King's decision to share his diagnosis with the public and continue his work has encouraged more men to get help from Maggie's, with a 12% increase in men coming in to the centres.

The Queen replies: "Look at my husband, nothing stopped him.

"He just said, 'This is my way I am going to cope with it'."

Dame Laura says: "The more open that you are when you are talking about it, the less scary cancer can become. If you just keep the lid on it, it can build up."

There are 27 Maggie's centres across the UK, with the Queen having visited 18 of them, and three additional sites are planned in Coventry, Kent and Bristol.

In 2025, Maggie's supported 338,928 visits, and the charity has

supported one in seven of all new cancer diagnoses across England, Scotland and Wales.

With the number of people diagnosed with cancer set to rise rapidly over the next 30 years, Maggie's aims to have 60 centres across the UK - one at every major NHS cancer centre - to support millions more visits from patients and their loved ones.

The charity aims to raise £30million in its 30th year to help it support more people to live well with and beyond cancer, as well as family and friends impacted by their diagnosis.

The full film collaboration between Maggie's and Buckingham Palace is available to view on YouTube from today.

OPINION: PAGE 12

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EXIST

Picture: TOM WREN/SWNS

Beat the drought? Jeremy knows the drill

BY NADEEM BADSHAH

JEREMY Clarkson has revealed how he keeps his pub garden lush during the drought crisis.

Aerial images showed the lawn at his Farmer's Dog boozer looking green while surrounding fields were parched brown.

After criticism was fired at other stars for how they were beating the hosepipe ban, Jezza explained he has a borehole.

The Clarkson's Farm star, 61, said: "You dig a hole 100m into the ground, put a pump in it and water comes out. Water not subjected to government interference."

Mansion

Boreholes are deep shafts drilled into the earth, which can cost tens of thousands of pounds to install but can pump around 10,000 litres a day.

The ex-Top Gear host revealed the method while discussing the state of 81-year-old Sir Rod Stewart's lawn in Essex.

Jeremy added: "An aerial photograph of the lush green lawns outside Rod Stewart's mansion prompted the nation's bitter people to ask: 'How did you manage that, mate, when there's a hosepipe ban in force?'

"Could it be, perhaps, that Rod probably has a borehole?"

Mr Clarkson, West Oxfordshire Council and Thames Water were contacted for comment.

Pensions set to rise by £500

BY KATIE HARRIS

PENSIONERS are on course for a £500 boost to the state pension in April, new figures suggest.

But it means the new state pension would exceed the tax-free personal allowance for the first time.

Under the triple lock, payments rise each year by the highest out of inflation, earnings and 2.5%.

Average wage growth was 4.1% between April and June, according to figures released yesterday by the Office for National Statistics. This is higher than inflation, which is 2.6%.

Sting

It means the state pension is likely to go up by around £500 unless there is a significant change to next month's earnings figures for May to July, which are used for the triple lock formula, or a spike in inflation in September.

Former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb said: "The state pension will rise in April by the highest of the growth in wages, prices or 2.5%.

"Based on today's figures, it is highly likely that it will be average earnings growth which comes out on top. Unless things change sharply in the next month, those on the new

THE likely £500 increase to the state pension will be a lifeline for many older people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

But first they will have to get through this winter, with energy bills predicted to rise again within months just as people switch their heating back on.

New figures suggest the state pension is on course to go up by around £500 in April under the triple lock.

It comes amid a fierce debate over the future of the policy, which guarantees that payments are bumped up by at least 2.5% each year to protect OAPs from poverty.

Critics argue that many pensioners are well off and that the

state pension can expect to see an increase of around £500 per year from April."

Sir Steve, a partner at pension consultants LCP, urged the government to set out how it will stop pensioners with no income other than the state pension being pulled into paying tax, as the increase will take payments above the £12,570 threshold.

He said: "But the sting in the tail is that this will take the standard

ANALYSIS

KATIE HARRIS

country can't afford the measure as younger workers struggle to get on the housing ladder.

But supporters of the triple lock point out that older people can't simply take on another job for extra income and insist Britain's state pension is low compared to other wealthy countries.

Around one in six pensioners - almost two million - are living in poverty. And research revealed by the Express this month found that more than 100,000 elderly

rate of the new state pension above the tax threshold.

"We therefore urgently need to know how the government plans to fulfil its pledge to make sure that those wholly dependent on the new state pension will not be charged income tax next year."

If earnings growth is unchanged next month, the new state pension would go up to £251.20 a week, meaning an increase of just over £500 per year. The Silver Voices

households are in energy debt. Campaigners warn that figure is just the tip of the iceberg, with many others taking heartbreaking measures to avoid going into debt - including being forced to choose between heating and eating or whether to take a hot shower.

Energy bills are expected to remain high this winter following an eye-watering 13% jump in July amid the Iran war, with a further 2% hike forecast for October.

There have also been warnings that the heatwaves the country has sizzled in this summer will push up food prices over the coming months.

It shows why next April's state pension increase is desperately needed by many older people.

campaign group is calling on the government to increase the personal allowance for pensioners. Director Dennis Reed said: "Labour is now on a collision course with the problem it should have sorted out two years ago.

"The basic new state pension will be taxed next year unless urgent action is taken at this year's Budget.

"Rachel Reeves promised a solution last year but her plan would create many more anomalies

than it would solve. Pensioners with the same pension income would be taxed differently, which must be unlawful. The only fair solution is to increase the personal allowance for all pensioners to avoid the state pension system being undermined by this invidious threshold freeze.

"Our mass petition to raise the allowance by £1,000 and then to update it in line with the triple lock stands at over 210,000 signatures."

Generous

Former chancellor Ms Reeves confirmed last year that people whose only income is the state pension would not have to pay income tax when it overtakes the personal allowance, which has been frozen since 2021.

The government said: "Supporting pensioners is a priority and we have committed to the triple lock for the rest of this Parliament.

"By keeping the triple lock, 12 million pensioners will see their income rise by up to £470 this year, and they continue to benefit from one of the most generous personal allowances in the G7.

"Pensioners whose only income is the full new or basic state pension without any increments do not pay income tax."

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7

Defra slams water farce

A WATER company has been told to improve after thousands of customers faced supply issues once again.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said serial disruption by South East Water is "simply not good enough".

The blast came after 7,400 homes in the Herne Bay area were left without water on Monday. Yesterday, 400 still had no supply.

Defra added: "South East Water needs to go further and faster.

"Their new leadership must now deliver a step change in performance."

The firm's Mike Court warned that supplies in the area are still "critically low".

Bet firm plea to watchdog

LABOUR has called on Gambling Commission bosses to investigate alleged unlicensed activity linked to Reform UK donors.

Tether, a Montenegro firm owned by cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne, has been operating without a Gambling Commission licence, it's been alleged.

Mr Harborne is at the centre of a row over the £5million donation to Nigel Farage which led to a Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards probe.

Labour chairwoman Bridget Phillipson has written to the Gambling Commission to investigate Tether, which closed last week.

'500k payoff for Sir Chris'

A TOP civil servant forced out of his job during Sir Keir Starmer's premiership reportedly received a record payout of around £500,000.

Sir Chris Wernau served as head of the civil service for 14 months before being replaced by Antonia Ronno in February.

The previous highest settlement was £457,000 to Sir Tom Scholar, the former head of the Treasury, in 2022.

Sir Chris's exact payment is expected to be revealed in the Cabinet Office's annual report and accounts, published later this year.

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: "We don't comment on individual HR matters."

Benefit claimants up by 1.5m under Labour

Record number get handouts but fewer of them work

THE number of benefit claimants who are not obliged to look for work has shot up by 1.5 million under Labour.

A record 8.4 million people are now receiving Universal Credit, figures show – up from 6.9 million in July 2024 when the party swept to power with a pledge to "get Brits working".

The number of claimants is at its highest since Universal Credit began in 2013 for those on low incomes or needing help with living costs.

But while the benefits caseload has spiralled, the share of claimants in work has worryingly dropped.

Just 3.1 million claimants were in employment in April 2026, which is just over a third (37.7%) of all people on UC.

A year earlier 3.2 million claimants were employed, making up 41.9% of the total figure.

More than half (51%) are now in the "no work requirements" category, meaning they are not expected to look for a job, often because of illness or disability.

That category has been growing rapidly and overtook "searching for work" as the biggest group in April 2022. Since May 2021, the number has rocketed by roughly three million.

Shadow Welfare Secretary Helen Whately said: "Figures show that

BY MARTYN BROWN Political Editor

changing the Prime Minister does not change the stark economic realities facing this country.

"Higher taxes means lower growth and fewer jobs. The Welfare Secretary himself said every meeting he had with Labour MPs was about who they could tax more to pay for more benefits. Labour are the welfare party."

The Department for Work and Pensions said: "Nearly 80% of the increase in Universal Credit cases since July 2024 is driven by people moving from legacy benefits – a transition started by the previous government.

"We are narrowing the gap between Universal Credit standard and health rates, restoring face-to-face assessments and investing £3.5 billion in support to end the culture of people being signed off and written off.

"We have introduced a youth guarantee, which offers hiring incentives, more apprenticeships, 300,000 more work experience places and guaranteed paid work for the long-term young unemployed, with further reform to follow the [Alan] Milburn and [Stephen] Timms reports."

OPINION: PAGE 12

BY MARTYN BROWN

PUBLIC sector salaries are soaring at more than double the rate of private industry's, figures show.

Pay among civil servants, NHS workers and the wider sector went up by 6.1% in the three months to June.

The sudden rise – up from 5.5% in the first quarter – was driven by NHS staff receiving their pay award earlier this year than in 2025.

Wages in the private sector rose by just 2.8% – lower than the expected rate of inflation for July – the Office for National Statistics said.

Unsustainable

This is the weakest rate since October 2020, during Covid.

The data also showed that after accounting for inflation, average pay excluding bonuses across the economy rose by 1% in real terms in June.

Figures published today are expected to show that inflation climbed to 2.9% in July, from 2.6% the previous month.

Economist Julian Jessop, from the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:

Public sector pay jumps as others battle inflation

"Regular pay growth in the private sector has slowed to less than 3%, which will not be enough to keep pace with inflation in the second half of the year. In contrast, pay growth in the public sector is running above 6%.

"This divergence is unsustainable." Sluggish pay growth casts doubt on PM Andy Burnham's pledge to raise living standards across the UK.

The latest data forms part of a snapshot of the UK's dismal labour market, with unemployment remaining at a lofty 4.9% while job vacancies slump to 707,000 – the lowest level outside of the pandemic since 2014.

Mr Jessop said: "The figures are dire. The economy continues to shed payroll jobs, with net losses of 94,000

over the past year and 188,000 since July 2024.

"The unemployment rate remains stubbornly high, with a big jump in the figure for June. Britain's labour market is continuing to show the strain of the rising costs of employment."

Confidence

He added that former Chancellor Rachel Reeves' decision to hike employer national insurance is continuing to clobber firms.

"It should be no surprise that employers are responding

Tory Andrew Griffith

by hiring fewer people, cutting vacancies and holding down wages.

"The government cannot tax and regulate its way to a stronger labour market. Ministers should focus on reducing the cost of hiring, removing barriers to work and giving businesses the confidence to invest."

Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith said: "These figures show a jobs market that has ground to a halt.

"Businesses are still absorbing the cost of Labour's disastrous Employment Rights Act and tax rises, and the worst is still to come."

TO READ ALL THE BEST POLITICAL STORIES OF THE DAY GO TO EXPRESS.CO.UK/POLITICS

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EXIST

Double killer Eugenia Neamtu

Murderer of flatmate did same thing in Romania

BY EMILY PENNINK

A FOREIGN murderer committed a second almost identical killing in the UK three years after being freed from prison in Romania, it can now be reported.

Eugenia Neamtu, 59, was jailed in his home nation in May 2007 for murdering his flatmate by stabbing him in the chest in a drunken row over money.

He was freed in 2023 and moved to Walthamstow, East London, where he fatally stabbed a flatmate in the chest on February 20 in what a prosecutor said were "strikingly similar" circumstances.

Neamtu's earlier murder conviction can only now be fully reported after he was found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering fellow Romanian Gheorghe Trica, 63.

Neamtu denied murder but declined to give evidence. Some elements of the earlier case were revealed. After the verdict the judge told jurors the victim in Romania had died.

He remanded the defendant into custody to be sentenced on Friday.

Man 'leaked asylum info'

BY SAM RUSSELL

A WORKER at a firm providing housing for asylum seekers has been accused of leaking the addresses of properties targeted by yobs.

James Jobson, 62, has been charged with misconduct in public office following three nights of unrest in Thetford, Norfolk, earlier this month.

The Serco employee, of Costessey, Norfolk, appeared before Ipswich magistrates on Monday.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Norwich crown court on September 14.

Norfolk Police said 21 arrests had been made in connection with the disorder, which saw several officers assaulted.

Reform vows visa ban until Pakistan takes back leader of grooming gang

REFORM UK would sanction members of the Pakistani government, freeze their assets and impose a "blanket ban on visas" if they refuse to take back illegal migrants and criminals.

Officials in Islamabad threatened to stop accepting illegal migrants back as the row over grooming gang monster Shabir Ahmed intensified.

They insisted there was "gold-standard co-operation" despite refusing to take back the Pakistani predator after he was released from prison.

But Reform's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf warned Pakistan it will pay a heavy price if Nigel Farage wins the next election - including a ban on visitors coming to the UK.

The Home Office issued 138,747 entry clearance visas in the year to March, including 88,553 visitor visas.

Mr Yusuf told the Daily Express: "There is a huge population of Pakistanis in

EXCLUSIVE BY MICHAEL KNOWLES

Britain illegally, many of whom overstay visas and claim asylum.

"As Home Secretary, I will ensure Pakistan takes back Rochdale monster Shabir Ahmed, and all its illegal migrants.

"If they don't, I will place a blanket ban on visas for Pakistani nationals, sanction members of their government and freeze assets in Britain."

Ahmed, 73, had dual British-Pakistani citizenship but was stripped of the former after his conviction for 30 counts of rape and sexual assault of girls.

He was released after serving 14 years of a 22-year sentence and able to hide behind a 50-year-old law protecting Commonwealth citizens who arrived before 1973.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was forced into closing the loophole, amid an outcry.

Labour's early release chaos could still free domestic abuse killers

LABOUR'S early release scheme faced a fresh backlash yesterday from domestic abuse campaigners amid mounting government efforts to exempt some killers.

Ministers are considering creating a carve-out to bar all prisoners convicted of "unlawful manslaughter" from early release in a bid to keep PC Andrew Harper's killers behind bars.

But others, such as those convicted of "voluntary manslaughter" - an intentional killing that is reduced from a murder charge - would not be covered and would still be eligible for early release, according to the chair of the domestic abuse charity Refuge

Many domestic killers are convicted of this after claiming to have lost control in the moment or on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, chair of Refuge, said: "You cannot be considering exempting just unlawful act manslaughter from early release. "Voluntary manslaughter, a far

BY MICHAEL KNOWLES Home Affairs Editor

more serious conviction being murder with a mitigating factor, must be exempt before the less serious UAM [unlawful act of manslaughter]."

Meanwhile, Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy blasted: "Labour's early release scheme has been utterly shambolic.

"They are making up policy as they go along. "At every stage, Labour have said they could not do any more and then U-turned.

"No one believes them any more.

"They must bring forward

Critic Hetti Barkworth-Nanton

legislation to stop the release of dangerous criminals including the killers of PC Harper."

Prime Minister Andy Burnham dodged questions over the rumoured exemptions, insisting he is doing "everything possible" to keep PC Harper's killers - Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole - behind bars.

A former leading judge has warned it would be "unlawful" to block solely Bowers and Cole from early release while freeing other prisoners convicted of the same offence.

However, Lord Thomas told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the rule change surrounding the type of manslaughter could be workable in practice.

Some 5,000 people are expected to be released early

under sentencing changes, down from 6,000 after ministers excluded rapists, "serious" child sex offenders and predators convicted of grooming offences from the scheme designed to tackle overcrowded jails.

Many convicts will be out after spending just a third of their term in prison and those sentenced to four years or more will only be let out after serving 50% of their sentence.

Bowers and Cole were jailed for 13 years in 2020 for manslaughter and would be eligible for release under the Sentencing Act 2026.

The first tranche of releases has been delayed - from September to October. Criminals handed sentences of less than 18 months will be the first to benefit from Labour's softest sentencing reforms in a generation.

Mr Burnham told reporters: "I've said I want to do everything possible to ensure we don't see the release of people involved in the killing of PC Harper and other individuals."

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Imported eggs cause concern

Salmonella 'linked to eggs from overseas'

BY ELLA PICKOVER

A DEADLY salmonella outbreak "may be linked to imported eggs", the UK Health Security Agency has said.

One person has died and hundreds more have been reported symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.

A total of 207 cases have been confirmed between August 11 last year and August 1 this year, with the highest number of people affected in London (47).

More than a third of people affected (38%) had to be admitted to hospital, with two developing life-threatening.

Investigations

UKHSA said it had identified links to imported eggs "mainly used by food service and catering establishments such as restaurants or cafes, as a potential source".

There is no evidence that eggs produced in the UK are affected.

Jacquelyn McCormick, from the Food Standards Agency, said: "We are working closely with the UK Health Security Agency to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis.

"The exact cause has not yet been identified, however investigations so far have identified links to eggs imported from outside the UK.

"Our advice around eating eggs remains the same – eggs which are thoroughly cooked and handled hygienically should not present a food safety risk.

"Infants, pregnant women and older adults should only eat runny or raw eggs if they have a British Lion mark or are produced under the Laid in Britain scheme."

'Helicopter made a strange noise'

Honeymooners Marie and Alex. Inset, smoke rises from the crash site

Newlyweds are killed in crash on Greek island

BY ANDY LINES

A YOUNG British couple whose colleagues said had extraordinary futures ahead of them have been killed in a helicopter crash while on honeymoon.

Newlyweds Alex Cromie, 31, and Marie Ebert, 30, died with pilot Giorgos Raikos, 55, after the chopper spiralled out of control. Shocking footage captured the helicopter smashing into the ground and bursting into flames on the Greek island of Sifnos.

Devastated friends and colleagues paid tribute to the couple who lived in North London and were only recently married.

Alex was the vice president of private wealth solutions company Blackstone. The firm said: "Alex was beloved by everyone who knew and worked with him, and our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones."

Marie worked at Bain & Company, one of the "Big Three" consulting firms.

A spokesman said: "Marie was a much-loved and deeply respected member of our London team. She was exceptional at her job, admired by everyone who worked with her, and had an extraordinary future ahead of her. We are devastated.

Sympathies

"Our thoughts are with Marie's family, with her husband Alex's family, and with the friends and colleagues who are grieving them both. We also extend our sympathies to the family of the pilot who lost his life as well."

Manolis Fountoulakis, deputy mayor of Sifnos, said: "[The helicopter] experienced mechanical failure in the air, residents say it made a loud, strange noise, like military aircraft. This is because the propeller was doing something strange."

Two bodies were discovered inside the crash site area and another was found yards away, he added.

Eyewitness Antonis Zambeli said: "The helicopter crashed 50 metres from houses and about 50 metres from the landing spot next to the Panagia tis Vrysis monastery."

The pilot was a retired Greek Air Force officer and dad of three.

The Greek Ministry of Transport said authorities were investigating the crash.

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EXIST

FREEDOM FOR UKRAINE

BY HELEN CORBETT

ANDY Burnham has vowed that the UK will continue to “support Ukraine 100%” after Moscow threatened consequences for the reported use of British drones for strikes deep into Russia.

Russia accused the UK of escalating the war and said the deeper the involvement became, “the higher the price it will pay”.

Visiting Wolverhampton, Mr Burnham was asked what his response to Russian President Vladimir Putin was. He said: “This is the UK doing what it has long said it would do, which is to support Ukraine 100% against

PM: We’ll continue to support Ukraine 100%

this illegal war. We are providing support so that Ukraine can defend itself, and that has been the British position all the way through this conflict.

“It remains the case with me. We are not fair-weather friends. We

will be there in Ukraine’s hour of need and that won’t change.”

Ukraine used drones made by two UK companies as part of a deep strike campaign, the Sunday Times reported.

Kyiv has stepped up its attacks on Russia this year, with long-range missiles and swarms of

drones targeting military industries and energy facilities.

It has also targeted giant depots for Wildberries – Russia’s largest online retailer – burning billions of pounds of merchandise and bringing the war home to the Russian public more than four years into Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Russia’s embassy to the UK said: “The deeper its involvement in the conflict and the greater its support for Kyiv’s terrorist machinery, the higher the price it will pay.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself.”

Panattoni Park in Swindon is now home to an industry for the modern age

UK’s drone capital fires up economy ...and protesters

A TOWN has become Britain’s drone manufacturing capital as it builds weapons so Ukraine can retaliate against Russia.

Swindon, in Wiltshire, is a rapidly growing hub for the drone and defence technology sector.

This comes after drones built by two British firms were used by Ukraine to strike military and industrial targets on the weekend.

There are nine companies already established in Swindon.

Groundbreaking

The Uncrewed Systems Centre at Panattoni Park, described as Europe’s largest drone testing facility, opened in June and German-owned Stark opened its Swindon plant in November 2025.

Former Defence Minister Al Carns has pointed out that the town had previously been at the forefront of “groundbreaking technology” with the Spitfire.

But its growing reputation as a centre for drone manufacturing

BY HANNAH WALTON-HUGHES

has sparked opposition from some locals. Youth worker Joe Haney launched an ePetition calling on the borough council to oppose the expansion of the industry because of their use in war zones.

It attracted 155 signatures before closing on August 10 – well short of the 1,500 needed to trigger a full council debate.

The petition demanded greater transparency, ethical oversight and public consultation on future defence-related developments and disclosure of any partnerships, incentives, or agreements involving drone manufacturers.

But his campaign also faced a backlash from some residents, who argue that the huge expansion is bringing much-needed jobs and investment to the town.

One said: “The jobs and positive impact to the local economy far outweighs anything else.”

A second added: “Drones are the future and Swindon should grab it with both hands.”

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Pictures: BEN LACK

Dog owner charged over man's death sobs as court grants bail

A FATHER of two accused of manslaughter after his dog allegedly bit a man appeared in court yesterday.

Lee Ellis, 55, who sobbed in the dock, was granted bail until his next appearance on September 16.

His lawyer told Bradford magistrates court that he would be "taking the matter to trial". Rob Fones also claimed there had been "a verbal altercation in regards to right of way" on a footpath.

James Judge, 55, who was bitten, died in hospital. Police were called to the path

BY KATIE DICKINSON

in Calder Grove, Wakefield, on Saturday afternoon.

Prosecutor Georgina Fishwick said an initial post-mortem had been unable to determine the exact number of bites.

Ellis, who works as a farrier, was not asked to enter a plea. He is also charged with being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control.

A German Shepherd that was seized remains in police kennels.

The footpath in Wakefield

Scans can help avoid prostate cancer biopsies

BY MARTIN BAGOT

MEN with prostate cancer could skip biopsies and get treatment sooner, a new study shows.

University College London Hospitals found that some patients can get a reliable diagnosis just from MRI scans. Biopsies, although routine, can lead to infections and NHS patients can face delays getting them.

The procedure involves removing a piece of the suspected tumour site via a needle. Samples are examined under a microscope to check for cancerous cells.

After a trial of 880 men, UCLH consultant radiologist Alex Kirkham said: "There is a group of patients in whom prostate cancer is close to certain based on MRI findings.

"In future this may enable treatment without the need for biopsy. If we can confirm these findings in larger, multi-centre studies, it could mean some men reach treatment faster." Radiologists looked at MRI scans and were asked if they were

MRI scans can offer a quicker diagnosis

"99% certain" there was a tumour, "90% certain" or "less than 90%".

Of the 69 patients medics deemed to be "99% certain", all of them had cancer confirmed by a later biopsy.

Dr Matthew Hobbs of Prostate Cancer UK said: "Avoiding unnecessary biopsies is an important goal. Our existing research is making progress towards reducing biopsies for men who don't have prostate cancer, but this is a step suggesting we might also be able to reduce the burden on men who do."

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12 Daily Express Wednesday, August 19, 2026

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DAILY EXPRESS

Tel: 020 8612 7000 (outside UK: +44 20 8612 7000)

Queen Camilla is a rock for King and country

As if we needed reminding, the Queen has shown once again what a wonderfully resilient stalwart she really is.

Her Majesty has opened up in a new film about how difficult it was to visit a cancer support charity just after learning her husband had been diagnosed with the disease.

Describing the emotional visit to open Maggie's cancer centre, Camilla said she was longing to tell someone that the King had cancer, but knew it wasn't the right time.

She made the painful visit on January 31, 2024, just five days before Buckingham Palace announced Charles had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer and would start regular treatment.

In a film to mark the charity's 30th anniversary, the Queen stresses how important cancer centres are. Her stoicism shines through as she gives a glimpse of how challenging it has been but also how she has a new understanding for people up and down the country who have had to deal with the cruel disease.

Charles, 77, continues to receive treatment but after passing public-facing duties for just under three months after his initial diagnosis over two-and-a-half years ago, he has continued to throw himself into work.

Since the first centre opened in 1996 in the grounds of the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, Maggie's has redefined what cancer care should be.

Its chief executive Dame Laura Lee said the King's decision to make his diagnosis public has encouraged more men to use their services, resulting in a 12% increase.

Reflecting on her husband's determination, Camilla said nothing stopped him and that he insisted he was going to cope with it.

End jobs crisis spiral

LABOUR'S jobs crisis is deeply worrying. Unemployment has risen since the party came to power two years ago, while the number of vacancies has slumped drastically.

This is despite the party's two Prime Ministers in this period – Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham – saying they want to get Britain working again.

The problem largely stems from the Budget on October 30, 2024, and Rachel Reeves' brain-dead decision to hike national insurance contributions for employers.

This has created the unenviable triple-whammy of forcing firms to hire fewer people, push up unemployment and hold down wages.

Coupled with a record 8.4 million people now claiming Universal Credit and Labour is facing a catastrophe of its own making.

Mr Burnham and his Chancellor John Healey must change course immediately before the problem gets worse.

Spitfire still top-flight

WHAT a magnificent flying machine. War veteran Spitfire AB910 certainly looks resplendent these days. The 85-year-old aircraft, wearing the striking markings representing the scheme it carried on D-Day in 1944, now flies as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

They don't make them like that any more!

Botham is right on the burning issue of emitting grease

FORMER top cricketer Ian Botham should know a thing about ashes but this time it's not about beating Australia but Defra's poor management of the countryside which is allowing wildfires to spark across the nation.

Last week, Botham, now a member of the House of Lords, blasted the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs for its refusal to let land managers burn undergrowth to create fire breaks.

Just when the government is sending us phone alarms warning us not to act in reckless ways to cause fires, it turns out it is, in fact, the government itself which is pursuing a green ideology making wildfires more likely.

Defra's commitment to rewilding, often against the advice of farmers and people who understand the landscape, is making parts of our countryside especially vulnerable to fire breaking out during hot summers.

The 371-acre blaze on Dunwich Heath in Suffolk last month has been blamed directly on the RSPB allowing the area to become a tinderbox thanks to its rewilding agenda.

By not clearing brushwood from its site, it provided the fuel for an almost unstoppable fire storm. If the wind had blown from a different direction, claimed one resident, their village could have been engulfed as well.

SIMILARLY, wildfires in Bordeaux this year have been blamed on the historic planting of pine trees for commercial reasons, without understanding that pine resin feeds fires.

Anyone who has travelled to the Mediterranean recently will have noted how pine needles pile up beneath pine trees, providing the perfect tinder. Vigilant clearing of forest debris helps to reduce this catastrophe waiting to happen, while more

Mismanagement, as called out by Ian Botham, above, has led to regular wildfires

Tim Newark

Political commentator

mixed planting of broadleaf trees with conifers would make such forests more resilient.

President Trump quite rightly blamed poor forest management for the devastating wildfires in California in recent years. In Australia, mistakes were made by trying to return forests to their pristine, prehistoric state when, in fact, it was the intervention of humans, especially aboriginal groups, who shaped the forest and are now encouraging the thinning of woods to reduce fire risk.

Controlled burning has also been used for centuries by tribes in America and Australia.

Good land management is the key to reducing the risk of wild fires but as Lord Botham recently argued, this is being stymied in the UK by wrong-headed government policies.

Traditional heather moor burns remove old combustible vegetation to create natural fire breaks, but Defra has banned

this in its nutty drive towards rewilding. Reduced cattle and sheep grazing has also meant that overgrown grass is more likely to catch fire in hot weather.

Massive fires at Saddleworth and Fylingdales can be blamed on winter burns being blocked by Whitehall bureaucrats.

Left-wing commentators can't wait to point the finger at climate change, with the implication that we must simply enact net zero more zealously to eliminate the risk.

But it is, in fact, Green ideology, with no real understanding of the landscape, that is allowing the conditions where wildfires are more likely.

Defra were told in 2007 that stopping winter burns would heighten the risk of summer moorland wildfires but they pressed on regardless with their rewilding agenda – and despite warnings also coming from EU and US experts. The problem is

that our environmental government departments and quangos have been captured by Green fanatics who do not listen to the advice of wiser custodians of our land.

So hellbent are they on their Green crusade that they don't realise their mismanagement is destroying the landscape they claim to love.

Lord Botham believes it is also a thinly veiled excuse to clamp down on game shooting and the gamekeepers who maintain it.

THE clock is ticking on this issue as the new winter burning season for moors and heaths should be starting on October 1. If Andy Burnham is truly keen about devolving power to the regions, he should allow regional countryside experts to reverse this ban and ignore the Whitehall Green fanatics who are doing more harm than good.

The path to hell is paved with good intentions, a wise man once said. Likewise, the road to summer infernoes can certainly be laid at the feet of simple-minded environmentalists who do not understand the reality of land management.

Stop the idiocy, stop the fires.

'Green ideology is making these summer wildfires more likely'

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Lesley-Ann Jones

Guest columnist

Gold fingers with a licence to thrill

THE name's Russell... Ray Russell. The reclusive, gifted James Bond theme guitarist who inherited and embellished the iconic guitar riff from its creator Vic Flick, who has played on the soundtracks of seven Bond films including Live And Let Die and The Spy Who Loved Me, has composed many famous TV

themes such as Bergerac and A Touch Of Frost, and has worked with countless greats including Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Van Morrison and Tina Turner, emerges with a sublime new album, Dangerous Bends, and to give a rare live performance at one of London's last remaining small music venues.

Pizza Express, Holborn on November 8, is licensed to thrill. FOMO alert: beg, borrow, steal. I'll see you down there. Shaken if not stirred and all that.

Paving the way to a karma revenge

WOULD you report neighbours to the council? Me neither. Unless there are criminal implications, I mind my own.

But someone alerted them about the couple of paving slabs I'd laid to put the bins on. I got a strong letter instructing me to apply for retrospective and expensive planning permission which may be declined. The tiny area in question is a fraction of council restrictions.

The report was malicious and I know whodunnit. You don't do this job for this long and not know how to find stuff out. I'll just wait here. Karma is a thing.

Dopey councillors not acting Cleverly

THE bitter stench of moral indignation brings bile to the throat as surely as a filthy toilet or a maggot-infested meat pie. Sir James Cleverly knows the smell. The Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government recoiled this week when alerted to Basildon Borough Council's latest harebrained scheme, teaching its staff about the menopause using the names of Snow White's Seven Dwarfs.

We're talking the 1937 Disney adaptation of the 1812 Brothers Grimm fairy tale, since in the original, the dwarfs – or should that be dwarves? – went unnamed. In the animated version they're called Happy, Doc, Grumpy, Dopey, Bashful, Sleepy, and Sneezy.

In the Essex town, where apparently doctors "are not experts" and "women are embarrassed to speak to them" – imagine – inclusivity lessons billed as "Let's Talk Menopause" rename the miniature diamond miners after classic symptoms of the change: Bloated, Bitchy, Itchy, Sweaty, Sleepy, Forgetful and Psycho. Only one, Sleepy, survives the pointless and wholly inappropriate update.

The council's diversity and inclusion staff training courses are, you guessed it, costing the taxpayer a fortune. A theme tune sprang to mind, one by an Essex boy bred, if not born, the late Ian Dury, who in 1978 released What A Waste. "I could be a teacher in a classroom full of scholars?" Well, exactly. Wouldn't Basildon have been better-off?

"Hardworking taxpayers expect value for money," foamed Cleverly, denouncing the nonsense. A whole industry has grown up promoting unscientific rubbish like this, councils should not be wasting money on it."

Reluctant to play the plagiarism card, oh, go on then, I am squealing to share that Basildon's idiocy is not even original. In 2011, a satirical lifestyle article entitled Snow White and the Seven Hormonal Dwarves

appeared in Bozeman magazine. It reimagined the men as Itchy, Bitchy, Flashy, Drysey, Ringe-y, Bluesy and Chubby. A year later the very monikers deployed by Basildon a dozen years beyond, made it onto the web in the A Singaporean Talkbox blog.

And in 2015, menopausalnom.com author Marcia Kester Doyle milked midlife mayhem, ditched Itchy and Bitchy, abbreviated Bloated to Bloaty and killer-blowed with Dried Up. It's not even funny.

But this is. My first-born was once interviewed for a place at a Chelsea

school. Her baby brother came too. "What a darling chap!" gushed the be-pearl, velvety head. "What do you call him?" "He has loads of names, after his terrible habits," Here we go. "And what might those be?" "Like the Seven Dwarfs," triggered Mia. "Fatty, Stinky, Farty, Burpy, Pukey, Porky and Wailer." She really didn't want to go to that school.

Councillors blinded by absurdity at our expense should A), do their job. B), stop stealing off the web, and C), get a grip. The least you could do is think responsibly.

Mum's the word in a moving tale

LILY Allen laments the effects of post-divorce relocation from New York to London on her 'tween kids Ethel and Marnie.

Don't fret, Lili. Chances are they're read your mumcle My Thoughts Exactly, detailing databases with female escorts and joining the Mile High Club with the other Gallagher brother on a Tokyo-timing flight. They surely know all about your struggles with drug and booze addiction.

They've heard your best-selling album West End Girl, dissecting the disintegration of your marriage to their stepdad David Harbray. They've been through all this with you, and more. You are a survivor. So will they be. As long as you're there for them, they'll be fine.

A NON-ALCOHOLIC gin-and-tonic in a pub costs the same as the alcoholic version. A bottle of alcohol-free gin costs as much if not more than the real thing. Why?

Government tax takes about 60-65% of the average bottle price. This includes both flat-rate spirits excise duty of 20% VAT on top of the production cost and the duty combined. Non-alcoholic gin is subject to VAT, but it is exempt from alcohol duty.

Also, I dined with friends at a restaurant and a grilled cauliflower steak ordered by our vegan chum cost the same as our ribeyes. That slice of veg - 92% water, 5% carbohydrate, 2% protein, as opposed to 25-30% protein in the beef - probably cost two pence.

How can such blatant extortion be justified?

PODIATRIST PERFORMING MIRACLES HELPING MY SOLE TO HEAL

I AM no gym bunny. I'm immunocompromised so I can't swim in the sea because it is often awash with sewage. So I walk. Sometimes for miles, especially when planning a book. It has left me with plantar fasciitis, suffered by one in ten in the

UK. The stabbing heel pain can be unbearable. I have neither time nor inclination to sit around resting it on ice.

Most days I lace up my trainers, keep calm and carry on. My miracle-worker podiatrist advocates

the following: don't go barefoot, not even in the house. Wear something arch-supporting, especially on wooden floors. Do calf and foot exercises in bed before getting up to stretch out the foot tissue. And never wear totally flat shoes. You're welcome.

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Frances Miller

To be frank...

THE SCOURGE of the skeletal celebrity is hardly new. In the last century, royal disrupter Wallis Simpson, the original Meghan, quipped you could never be too rich or too thin. And the century before that, Empress Sisi of Austria, the original thinfluencer, somehow maintained a doll-like 16in waist.

Women have always chased the impossible, feather-light wail ideal. What has changed in the age of easily available weight-loss drugs is that becoming worryingly thin has never been more attainable.

Just the other week Ariana Grande's emaciated frame prompted concern and she stepped back from the spotlight. But there are many others as bad. Take any red carpet and it's like a ghost train, only the skeletons are wearing haute couture.

Do these stars wander into their Los Angeles doctor's office, put a matchstick on the desk, and say: "This is what I'm aiming for." Then pull out a Scream mask: "And the lace, can you make my eye sockets look more haunted? Kinda hollow and stretched, like a bog person.

"Clavicles like handle bars, obvs, and ribs like a climbing frame. I'm thinking zombie but glam. Beautiful Victorian woman dying of consumption meets xylophone. Y'get me?"

At least we no longer have to pretend to believe that these lollipop physiques are the result of eating clean, drinking green tea and doing Pilates three times a week.

Far from being confined to Hollywood, extreme thinness is increasingly normalised, and glamorised, on social media, where filters and AI trickery can turn already impossible bodies into something cartoonish.

As ever, when I step through the looking glass and venture onto TikTok (so you don't have to) things get curiouser and curiouser. There are millions of thinspirational videos, all presented in that baffling Gen Z-style where absolutely nothing happens and yet somehow 8.4 million people have watched it.

The winning formula, as far as I can tell, is this: a thin girl, usually white and Lyce-clad, flaunts their "thigh gap", shows off their minuscule waist and does an awful lot of pruning.

Crucially, she must lip-sync to a pop song, preferably some

EXAM results season is here and as ever, I'm astonished by how many clever teenagers there are. Every year, a camera crew sets up in some school gym to film a gaggle of nervous pupils opening their results live on air.

They'll carefully open the envelope, unfold the letter, allow themselves the tiniest smile and say: "All A's. Maths, physics, modern languages and economics."

So calm, so collected. I'd be yelping, gasping, downing a Bacardi Breezer. But I was never one of those children.

I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting when I opened my own A-level results to discover a B in Performing Arts, a D in Art and a D in Psychology. What a waste of everyone's time that was! But it didn't matter much in the long run.

GCSE results are out tomorrow and, for any little 'uns convinced their entire future depends on what's inside that envelope, take heart from Muggins here.

I got a C in Textiles. Imagine being so bad at sewing that after two entire years of formal instruction you can still only scrape by. Even better, I got a D in English Language. English. My first and only language.

And, I hasten to add, I am not dyslexic. There's no mitigating circumstance. I was simply your averagely talented, mediocre-brained, sloppy teenage student. And yet here I am, writing for a living.

Stick that in your admissions metrics, UCAS. Definitely never sewing again though.

aggressive rap.

So Amelia, who lives in Droitwich in her parents' semi-detached, is mouthing: "Whip out the shotty, make your a backflip, Y'all haters gonna hate, but this b* don't slip." (Me neither.)

Thankfully, I am past caring about any of it. Not that I'm immune to being influenced on social media, but now it's extra wide-fitting loafers and budget kitchen renos.

You can keep your #skinnygirlhacks.

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A WOMAN in Vienna is suing the city over the cost of spending a penny. Melanie Gradik was rightly enraged after being charged 50 cents to use a loo while her male friend could use urinals for free. Another blatant example of the gender pee gap. (I'll get my coat.)

frances.millar@express.co.uk

---

Pictures: EDDIE MITCHELL

DIXIST

15

Sir Tim Martin likes peace

Shh-poons aims to be home of a quiet pint

BY ROSIE SHEAD

BOSSES at pub giant JD Wetherspoon have banned customers from playing music or taking calls on speaker after complaints the noise was driving people "nuts".

The chain announced it had introduced the ban across its 792 pubs, saying sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an "increasing problem in recent years".

The company said: "Following complaints from customers, who are being driven nuts by other people's videos and amplified phone conversations,

Wetherspoon has asked customers to switch their phones to silent or to use earphones."

Oasis

Chairman and founder Sir Tim Martin added: "In a world dominated by other people's music and amplified sound, Wetherspoon pubs are an oasis of tranquillity and contemplation."

Smart glasses have also been banned at its pub sites over fears that customers and employees could be recorded without their consent.

The Liberal Democrats have called for fines of up to £1,000 for "headphone dodgers" who play music out loud on buses and trains.

A YouGov poll in 2025 suggested 62% of people would back the move.

The poll also found almost three-quarters of pensioners would support the fines, while those aged 18-24 were split 47-43 in favour.

In London, Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan rolled out a campaign last year encouraging people to use headphones when playing music on the transport network.

Family feared drowned in sea

FBI ambulance and police at the scene of the reports of four people in sea

BY REBECCA ROBINSON

THREE members of the same family were feared drowned last night after reports of four people struggling in the sea.

The condition of the fourth person, pulled from the water at Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, was unknown.

Nearby fishermen reportedly said they alerted emergency services after seeing a young girl in the water, then a boy, a woman and a man. They were thought to be a family.

Police, the ambulance service, Coastguard and RNLI rushed to the scene.

Last night police had not confirmed any fatalities.

Escort

Dramatic footage captured them near the RNLI station, with multiple ambulances parked up and an air ambulance circling above.

A coastguard helicopter and at least three RNLI lifeboats were also launched.

The public was urged to stay away from the area.

One resident said: "There has been nothing like this happen on the beach before in the 25 years I have lived in the town. It's a safe beach, with an RNLI station."

An ambulance was seen leaving under a police escort.

The South East Coast Ambulance Service said: "We have no further information at this time."

Ex's tribute to tragic Hayden

THE former partner of Hayden Panettiere and father of her child has said she was forced to endure the darker side of stardom.

The Nashville star died on Sunday at the age of 36. Police in Greenville, South Carolina, said there were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, 50, said: "Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief. The announcement of Hayden's tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon.

"Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya. She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing

BY TOM BRYANT

the darker sides of a very demanding industry.

"Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives. To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was."

Struggled

Wladimir and Hayden began dating in 2009 and confirmed they were engaged in 2013. They had daughter Kaya in 2014 but split in 2018. That same year she gave him full custody as she struggled with her mental health.

The Greenville County Coroner's Office said: "The cause and manner of death remain

pending further investigation and completion of additional studies."

Hayden's father Skip described her as "an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her on screen".

The Heroes star, who began acting as a child, had spoken about addiction and her postpartum mental health struggles.

In a memoir published in May, she also described her decision to give custody of Kaya to Klitschko.

She told podcaster Jay Shetty: "The idea anyone would think that I'd just give away my child and be OK with it is heartbreaking and couldn't be further from the truth. I was struggling with mental health and anxiety...feeling like I completely lost myself."

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16

DIXIST

Scholes banned from the road over two speeding convictions

FORMER England star Paul Scholes has been handed a six-month road ban after two speeding convictions.

The Manchester United legend's Range Rover was caught doing 37mph on a 30mph road in March in Cluckheaton, West Yorks.

And a Mercedes in his name had been clocked at 49mph in a 30mph zone in November last year in Greater

BY TRISTAN KIRK

Manchester. Scholes, 51, was then prosecuted for failing to respond to police letters asking for confirmation that he had been the speeding driver in those cases.

The allegations culminated in magistrates' hearings in Bradford and Manchester last week, when Scholes was

handed a six-month driving ban and ordered to pay fines, costs and court fees totalling £1,472.

A court official said Scholes, who was prosecuted in private hearings under the Single Justice Procedure, did not enter pleas to either of the charges he faced and was convicted in his absence.

The former Oldham manager, inset, could not be offered an out-of-court settlement with a speed awareness course as he had penalty points on his licence so was in line for an automatic ban.

The summer of top-class racing continues as the Ebor Festival gets underway at York this afternoon. Ahead of a star-studded day, claim a £3 free horse racing bet in any William Hill shop when you present this coupon.

Today's York card: The action begins with a 5½f hand-cap at 1:50pm featuring recent Windsor winner Trefor. Hugo Palmer won the race last year and sends out Stewards' Cup second Stratusnine and Dubai Bling.

The two-year-olds take to the Knavesmire in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes (2:25pm). Derby 1/2 Christmas Day and Maltese Cross lock horns in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at 3pm.

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TAKE TIME TO THINK

Snooker ace denies child sexual abuse

SNOOKER star Graeme Dott asked a child he is accused of sexually abusing "Does that feel nice?", a court heard.

The former world champion faces allegations involving a girl spanning from 1993 to 1996, and a boy between 2006 and 2010.

Both of them were of primary school age at the time.

Dott's trial began yesterday with a jury hearing evidence from a woman now in her 40s, who claims he had sexually abused her on multiple separate occasions while she was a child.

Giving evidence from behind a screen at the high court in Glasgow, the woman said the first incident happened when he had offered to give her a piggy-back.

She said this involved her climbing on his back and wrapping her arms and legs around the front of his body.

After walking a short distance, she said they stopped for a couple of minutes and she told the court he started to caress her backside with his hands over her clothing.

She said: "I remember it was odd to me. I think he said, 'Does that feel nice', or something to that (effect)."

The woman alleged that on

BY NICK FORBES

another occasion, Dott approached her and said: "We could play a game." The woman claimed he told her "it would be a guessing game, and I had to guess what he was doing".

She claimed she lay down and he pulled her trousers down and lifted her top, and kissed her on the belly.

Dott won the 2006 World Snooker Championship

Responding to questions from prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel, she told the court he exposed himself to her and then began touching her inappropriately.

She explained: "He would touch me with his hand, and said 'That's my hand. Now you know what that feels like.'"

"Then he kissed me and I knew what that felt like."

She said Dott had played the game with her more than once.

The 49-year-old Scottish star is accused of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour towards two children in the Glasgow region.

Dott denies the two charges.

The former professional player – who won the 2006 World Championship – was in court and dressed in a dark suit.

The trial continues.

---

Picture: DAVID DYSON

EXIST

17

Actor talks about not drinking and conquering diabetes

BY MARK JEFFERIES

RAY Winstone is back on his feet, having won a three-month bout with agonising shingles and also given his Type 2 diabetes a walloping.

The hardman star of films including Scum, Nil By Mouth and Sexy Beast is glad to be on form as the second series of gangster drama The Gentlemen is out next month.

Ray, 69, said: "I had shingles in November and it took me till February to get over that. Yeah, really is horrible. I had to stop training for a little while because I go for walks and all that, and now I'm just getting back into it.

"But now I'm kind of feeling probably the best I've felt for years."

Ray, crime lord Bobby Glass in the Netflix show, added that he has cut out drinking, and reversed his Type 2 diabetes with a simple adjustment to his diet.

He said of being diagnosed: "That was one of the reasons I stopped drinking, you know, made up my mind I was going to do that.

"Having said that I thought, I eat a lot of sugar, you know, I do.

"It's in drinks, it's in Coca-Cola, it's in everything. So, I stopped it, and within five

Ray as Bobby Glass in the first series of hit Netflix show The Gentlemen

months I didn't have Type 2 no more." But Ray admits that every now and then he falls off the wagon – the sugar one, not the booze one.

He said: "I'll have in the fridge caramel ice cream, salted caramel ice cream. And every now and then, all right, because I've been a good boy, I've done everything the right way, I'll get a dish, I'll get a bowl and I'll put me caramel ice cream in, loads of it. With a load of dribble of honey over. Or treacle and nuts."

Ray also told Waitrose podcast Dish that when he is not making films or doing TV work, he is spending more of his time living on the Italian island of Sicily.

The Hackney-born West Ham fan, who has three daughters with wife Elaine, explained: "There's some sort of reality and sort of earthiness about the place, and I kind of felt at home.

"And going to the towns, you know, kids just running about, it was like London was, or the East End was, 40 years ago, in a way.

"So maybe as I've got older... you yearn for that kind of community."

● Dish from Waitrose is available on all podcast providers.

I'm kind of feeling probably the best I've felt for years, says Ray

Ray as Gary in 2000 movie Sexy Beast

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19

INCREDIBLE TRUE STORIES OF THE UNEXPLAINED FROM BRITISH POLICE

ON SALE FROM ALL GOOD BOOKSHOPS AND AMAZON

A signed picture of Olivia with John Travolta

TANS of Olivia Newton-John remain hopelessly devoted to the star four years after her death, lodging bids seven times over the estimate for personal mementos that are going under the hammer today.

Seven years have passed since the leather jacket and skin-tight trousers she wore as Sandy Olsson to dance with John Travolta's Danny Zuko in the 1978 film Grease made £314,000 at auction.

Now the late star's husband, John Easterling, has sold The Indian Way estate on the Santa Ynez River in California, where she spent her final days, for £6million and is putting 209 items – ranging from signed photos to her clothes – under the hammer in LA.

Olivia died from breast cancer on August

By Marc Baker

8, 2022 and some of the sale proceeds will go to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation, which sponsors research into plant medicine for cancer.

Film producer John, who married Olivia following a whirlwind romance in 2008, said: "Olivia and I made many wonderful memories at our home in Florida and the ranch in California.

"I can see a new family having great nature adventures and relishing the life experience."

At today's sale, hosted by Julien's Auctions, the star lot is a certificate Olivia, who was born in Cambridge, received when she was awarded an

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DRAFT

19

Lots of love as Olivia's memories go under hammer

Auction of Grease star's memorabilia set to make thousands for her cancer charity

Professional and family shots, above. Trading cards of English novelties to be below, autographed by Olivia and John

Custom record for Clearly Love lets. With Travolta in 1978, above

honorary OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1978, signed "Elizabeth R", which is expected to fetch up to £1,500.

Spokeswoman Mozell Miley-Bailey said: "Normally a certificate of this kind would mention the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland first. But Great Britain and Northern Ireland have gone and Australia stands in their place.

"Olivia was awarded her OBE for services to the performing arts in Australia and overseas. Her address, as recorded by The Crown, is Los Angeles.

"Olivia, a woman born in England, claimed by Australia, living in California, was honoured by the British monarch on the recommendation of a government in Canberra, and the paperwork was posted to an American address." Olivia's OBE in 1978

celebrated a phenomenal year, when Grease, which grossed £250m, opened in cinemas and two hit singles, You're the One That I Want and Summer Nights, topped British charts for 16 weeks.

SHE received her OBE the following year at Buckingham Palace, and in the 2020 New Year Honours she became a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to charity, cancer research and entertainment.

The auction also includes clothes by her favourite Australian designer, Camilla Franks, including a jacket, the T-shirt she wore at her last gig in 2020, and a kimono

worn a year before her death, which is expected to fetch £450.

A 1975 custom-made gold record award for her 1975 album Clearly Love is also up for grabs. Her sewing box has an estimate of £200, and a heart-shaped perfume travel flask by Tiffany & Co is listed at £450.

A collection of photos depicting her childhood has received bids of £1,100, against a £400 estimate. Two signed Grease posters had a guide price of £500, but bids have reached £2,500 so far. A batch of collectors' cards, depicting Grease stars, has attracted a bid of £750, 20 times the £35 estimate.

Mozell said even before becoming a star, Olivia had a fascinating back story. She said: "Her father, Brinley Newton-John, was a Welsh academic who had served as an MI5

officer attached to the Enigma project at Bletchley Park. Her mother, Irene, had come to Britain from Germany in 1933 with a family fleeing the Nazi regime. Irene's father was a physicist whose work on quantum mechanics won a Nobel Prize.

IN 1954, when Olivia was five, her father was appointed Master of Ormond College at Melbourne University.

"Olivia left school early, won a talent contest, and collected the prize: a trip to London. She sailed to England in 1964, still in her teens, and became one of the world's most famous women."

● Visit www.jubensauctions.com.

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20

EXIST

Paul Whitehouse, Bob Mortimer and p47

Third book for fishing dog Ted

A THIRD book about Ted the dog from Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing will be released next month following his death in April.

The Petterdale terrier mix appeared on more than 40 episodes of the BBC Two show alongside Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse.

In Happy Ever After: My Final Journey With Gone Fishing, Ted faces retirement. Instead of relaxing, he tries his paw at several roles including public service, the military and volunteering... until he makes a surprising discovery inside his briefcase. Happy Ever After follows

BY SEAN O'GRABY

Ted's first time booked A Pawtohlography and Pup Fiction, by his owner Lisa Clark who produced the show. She released him from a dogs' home in Surrey in the spring of 2013 when he was about six months old.

Ted first appeared in 2020 and quickly became popular with fans, being given a lifetime achievement award in the 2025 Christmas special.

After his death, Paul said: "Bye bye Ted old friend. He wasn't a dog. He was a species all of his own. He's gone to the great briefcase emporium in the sky. We will really miss you, mate."

Ted was a big fan favourite on BBC show

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Race honours hero Sinfield's fabulous feats of fundraising

SIR Kevin Sinfield says having a major horse race named in honour of his final multi-marathon fundraising challenge is a "fantastic gesture".

Racing chiefs have called tomorrow's 3pm race at York the "Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 In 7 Grand Finale Handicap".

It is dedicated to the rugby legend's seventh and final campaign to run seven ultra-marathons in seven days to raise cash for Motor Neurone Disease research.

Kevin, 45, started his charity work after his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow was stricken by the degenerative nerve condition which causes muscle weakness, stiffness and paralysis in 2019.

Kevin famously carried his pal over the Leeds Marathon finishing line in 2023 after pushing him in a specially adapted wheelchair round the 26.2 mile course. Rob died in 2024 aged just 41.

Kevin, now an England rugby coach, has continued to raise cash to help

Sir Kevin has run multiple marathons

BY JERRY LAWTON

sufferers of the debilitating condition which afflicts around 8,000 people in the UK.

He said: "It is a fantastic gesture to dedicate such a prestigious race at the Ebor meeting to promote the 7 in 7 Grand Finale challenge."

Kevin's latest efforts will kick off at rugby league World Club Champions Hull KR's Sewell Group Craven Park stadium on September 27.

He will then visit the homes of the 11 other Super League clubs before arriving in front of 70,000 fans at Old Trafford, Manchester at the Grand Final on October 3. He and pal Rob won seven finals together for Leeds Rhinos and the man of the match is now presented with the Rob Burrow Trophy.

Kevin's six previous efforts have raised nearly £12m and £65,000 has already been pledged this year two months before Kevin sets foot on his latest 200-mile trek which he hopes will net £777,777.

He was knighted in June.

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DIST

21

TV host Richard Madeley

Richard: My sister saved my life as I was choking

BY SEAN O'GRADY

TV PRESENTER Richard Madeley has revealed he almost choked to death on a piece of beef and was saved by his sister.

The Express columnist, 70, swallowed a piece of "very rare beef" without chewing properly during a "lively discussion" and it went straight into the windpipe.

Speaking to Dr Hilary Jones on Good Morning Britain, he said: "I tried to cough it up but I had no air in the lungs to do that. I suddenly realised I was choking.

"Pandemonium ensued. People came round behind me, they were hammering on my back. Minutes ticked by and it wouldn't dislodge.

"I began to feel my world closing in, black dots coming on the side [of my eyes], I began to feel very weak and a calm sense of acceptance coming, 'oh, this is it, this is how I'm going to go'."

Knees

Richard's sister Liz Lawrence, who is trained in the Heimlich manoeuvre, rushed in from the bathroom to save him and had to make three attempts.

He said: "I felt my knees give way and as I went down, thank God, she did it again. The combination of gravity and her doing it harder than before dislodged the beef, got a little bit of air in and I managed to cough it up - and 10 seconds later I was back in the room.

"It was touch and go. If she hadn't known what to do, I would've died."

His revelation came as it emerged 1,460 people died from choking in England from 2020-24, St John Ambulance said.

A poll showed less than half of people know how to help in a crisis or when someone chokes.

Just 42% know to give back blows and abdominal thrusts. The charity wants to teach half a million people life-saving skills through free demonstrations and online guidance.

With fork at the ready, Nigella has 'dream job' in Bake Off tent

BY ALLISTER HAGGER

NIGELLA Lawson described her new role in The Great British Bake Off as her "dream job" as she was pictured withing a fox's solid-tile famous tent.

The 66-year-old TV chef and food writer is replacing Dame Prue Leith as a judge on the Channel 4 show after the 80-year-old quit in January.

Taking to Instagram, Nigella posted a picture of herself in a purple jumpsuit.

She said: "I'm a bit nervous, very excited and extremely happy. Bake Off is back on our screens next month. I've loved every minute. It's a real honour to be part of something so special."

Thanking fellow presenters Paul Hollywood, Alison Hammond and Noel Frazing for "making me feel so instantly part of the family", she added: "You three plus cake - talk about the dream job!"

Filming is complete on the series and it will air from next month.

Channel 4 said fans of the show "can expect to see Nigella bringing her trademark warmth, wit and passion for flavour to the tent".

Nigella became a household name in the late 1990s with her hugely successful cookbooks and cookery shows which cemented her place as the UK's Domestic

Physical work ups risk of dementia, unlike exercise

Manual labour is linked to other jeopardy factors

PHYSICAL activity performed at work raises the risk of dementia, suggests research.

But leisure exercise - such as walking, cycling, running, swimming or sport - substantially lowers the likelihood of getting the brain disease, said the multinational study.

Research has previously shown regular physical activity can help lower the chances of dementia.

However, the new analysis of previous studies, involving more than 4.2 million people, suggests it is not only the amount of exercise, but also the activity's context - for work or for leisure - that makes a difference.

The findings, in The Lancet Public Health, analysed data from 74 studies involving participants, aged

BY STEPHEN BEECH

45 to 93, in 30 countries. They were followed for around 10 years.

People who engaged in higher levels of leisure-time physical activity had a 24% lower risk of dementia than those who were least active.

But occupational physical activity was associated with a 20% higher dementia danger, while active commuting showed a modest increase in risk, although those findings were based on just two studies.

Dr Natan Feter, from the University of Southern California, said: "The findings challenge the long-held assumption that 'every move counts' for brain health."

The findings showed higher leisure

exercise was associated with progressively lower dementia probability until the link plateaued.

But higher occupational physical activity was tied to increasingly greater danger before levelling off.

Dr Feter said leisure exercise can be done at an enjoyable intensity and is often accompanied by social interaction or stress reduction.

But manual occupations are more likely to involve stress, hazardous working conditions and greater exposure to air and noise pollution, all factors linked to dementia risk.

Dr Feter said: "Workers in those jobs may have fewer opportunities for recreational exercise because of time constraints, fatigue or limited access."

---

22

EXIST

Stage and screen actress Phyllida Law, mother of Emma Thompson, dies at 94

BY PIERRA WILLIX

PHYLLIDA Law, whose acting career spanned eight decades, has died at the age of 94.

The star of stage, TV and film often worked alongside daughters Dame Emma Thompson and Sophie Thompson.

Her granddaughter Gaia Wise confirmed the death on Instagram, writing: "Rest well, my queen." Phyllida's management said she

Dame Emma and Phyllida in 2013

"died supremely peacefully at home, surrounded by all of her family" on July 27.

In 1996 she played Mrs Bates in

the film adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Sophie. In 1992 Phyllida and Dame Emma were in Peter's Friends, directed by the latter's then-husband Sir Kenneth Branagh. Both were also in his version of Much Ado About Nothing the next year.

Phyllida was made an OBE for services to drama and charitable causes in 2014. Her husband, actor Eric Thompson, died in 1982.

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• SOS Blues Brothers ● Joey Scott
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• Liam Halewood as Boy George
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Good sleepers

more likely to keep working

PEOPLE who have a healthy sleeping pattern in middle age tend to work for longer, a study suggests.

But sleeping for lengthy periods of nine hours or more, or waking regularly, is linked to leaving the workforce up to nine months earlier.

Disturbances included problems falling or staying asleep and waking too early.

Researchers in Finland concluded a steady pattern is beneficial by looking at data from people aged 50 to 68.

They analysed two studies: one which included more than 70,000 public sector staff from 2000 to 2016, and another of 6,071 working age adults in Finland from 1998 to 2013.

Data on sleep was collected after people turned 50 and was categorised as either short (less than seven hours), mid-range (seven to eight-and-a-half hours) or long (nine or more hours).

Over-50s who reported no disturbances had a working life expectancy of 13 years, five months. This was compared

BY STORM NEWTON

with 13 years among those moderately disturbed two to four nights a week and 12 years, 10 months among people whose sleep was disturbed almost every night.

The longest working life expectancy – almost 14 years – was among professional women who reported no sleep disturbances. The shortest – almost 12.5 years – was among men with severe sleep disturbances.

Elsewhere, public sector workers who slept from less than seven to eight-and-a-half hours had a working life of 13 years, two months, while those who slept for more than nine hours were expected to work 12 years and five months.

The researchers, whose findings were published in Occupational &

Environmental Medicine, said: "To promote older adults' participation in working life, supporting sleep of recommended length and good quality may be required."

---

Pictures: VAN WEST/PA

DAYST

23

England's Sir Geoff Hurst

World Cup ace Sir Geoff turns down all free pints

BY STIAN ALEXANDER

LEGENDARY England striker Sir Geoff Hurst has said he never accepts free pints from fans who want to buy him a drink.

The 84-year-old, who scored a hat-trick against West Germany in the 4-2 World Cup win in 1966, said loads of people offer to buy him a pint of beer when they spot him.

The West Ham star, who managed Chelsea in 1979-1981, was asked if he had "ever had to buy a pint in an English pub" – with FourFourTwo magazine saying there must be lots of generous punters.

He said, however, that he did not like to take advantage of folk spending their hard-earned cash on him.

Sir Geoff said: "People do offer to buy me a drink from time to time. It's very flattering but I always refuse."

He added: "It's weird in a way, a complete stranger offering to buy me a pint, so I never accept."

Speaking previously, Sir Geoff revealed how he did his "Sunday chores" – washing the car and mowing the lawn – the day after winning the World Cup in 1966.

Shows to join culture club

BY ADAM GILLIAM

THE Godfather, The Matrix and Game of Thrones jointly top the list of films and TV shows deemed essential viewing for people who want to be considered cultured.

All three were named by 31% of respondents in a poll of 2,000 adults.

Next were Peaky Blinders and Pulp Fiction (both 29%), Breaking Bad (26%), The Shining (25%) and Trainspotting, The Walking Dead, the BBC's 1995 Pride and Prejudice and Line of Duty (all 24%).

The National Film and Television School, which carried out the survey, said being "well watched" is considered just as important as being well read.

Is the party finally over for Abigail?

Tamzin Outhwaite delights as the G&T-glapping hostess from hell. Inset right, with Kevin Bishop

REVIEW

ABIGAIL'S PARTY

RICHARD BARBER

Harold Pinter Theatre

WE'RE on the London side of Essex. It's 1977 and Beverly is preparing for a small drinks do for the neighbours.

The cheese and pineapple chunks are on cocktail sticks. Demis Roussos is on the record player. The lava lamp is pulsing on the shelving unit. Cushions are plumped on the leather-look suite. What could possibly go wrong?

Absolutely nothing if Beverly, a control freak in tangerine kaftan and high-heeled gold sandals, has anything to do with it.

First to arrive are new neighbours Tony (Omar Malik), a former first division footballer and his gauche wife Angela (Lauren Patel), a young woman with no self-edit button.

Next up is divorcee Sue (nicely underplayed by Pandora Colin), whose titular 15-year-old daughter is hosting a party next door that quickly degenerates into drunken debauchery.

Not that the drinks trolley in Beverly's house is thin on booze, some of it supplemented by her dull estate agent husband Laurence (a quietly effective Kevin Bishop), despatched by his wife to buy additional lager and pale ale.

Theirs is something of a moribund marriage – Beverly, chugging down yet one more G&T, witheringly deriding him as being "dead from the waist down". But Laurence is pretty much as ghastly as his overbearing wife.

Beverly is the fulcrum around which proceedings flow. Tamzin Outhwaite devours her whole, a predatory, sex-starved creature bored and playing with her "victims" like a spider dissecting the wings from flies. It is the performance of the evening.

No quarrel, then, with the players. Not so sure about the play. Written by Mike Leigh, it teeters dangerously on the edge of patronising all concerned, the characters too often crossing the line into caricatures.

What seemed skewering and satirical 50 years ago now seems a bit mean-spirited. These are sad people in their differing ways.

Should we really be laughing at them?

● Abigail's Party is at London's Harold Pinter Theatre until September 19.

---

24

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DIXIST

25

Princess Diana died in 1997

Diana book by Earl will 'set record straight'

BY SEAN O'GRADY

PRINCESS Diana's brother Earl Spencer has written a book about her which includes "revelations that will draw considerable attention".

Swan Song: Diana, My Sister will mark the first time the 62-year-old has spoken at length about the late Princess of Wales in the three decades since her death.

Talking about the book, he said: "With the 30th anniversary of Diana's tragic death on the skyline, I've been inundated yet again with requests for interviews.

"This has convinced me to write down my own thoughts and memories, rather than having the discomfort of reading the opinions of others, many of which are based on untruths that have become accepted over time.

Dynamic

"The aim of this book is to tell the truth about Diana from her brother's perspective.

"I hope it will be of interest to the many who still cherish the memory of Diana when she was alive, and I would be delighted if those too young to remember her in her heyday feel – after reading this – that they 'get' who she really was: a one-off dynamic character, full of love, charisma and self-doubt, who gave life a hell of a go, and left the world a better place, despite exiting the stage while still so young."

Diana wed the then-Prince Charles in 1981 and had sons William and Harry. She died at 36 on August 31, 1997 in Paris car crash. ● Swan Song: Diana, My Sister is out on September 22.

Hollywood star Cate could be one of your neighbours if you snap up this £30k plot

A Cate opportunity

BY TOM BEVAN

A CHANCE to be a neighbour of celebrities including Cate Blanchett in Cornwall's "Hollywood on Sea" could be yours for just £30,000.

The plot at the coastal village of Mawgan Porth is being auctioned with the potential to experience luxury living at a knockdown price.

The 0.573-acre site, with sea views, offers a rare freehold in the area with the potential for new owners to pursue development opportunities with the right planning consent.

The surfing hotspot and former fishing village has become a popular destination for wealthy buyers who have been converting bungalows into fabulous homes and building mansions up the side of the hill.

Now auctioneers are expecting significant interest in the new plot.

The irregularly shaped piece of land sits between a new development of six luxury homes and Mawgan Porth car park, with the Merrymoor Inn pub nearby.

It is described as being covered with grass and shrubs, and does not currently have planning permission.

But Ben Flint, at Flint Real Estate, which is handling the sale, said: "This offers the buyer a unique opportunity to own some of the most sought-after coastal land in the country, with stunning Cornish seaside views over Mawgan Porth.

"We consider the plot provides scope for some form of residential

Just £30k could land you in Cornwall's A-list haven

use (subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents) and, given the low guide price, we are expecting a good demand."

Glamorous

Oscar winner Cate has a house in the village, and fellow actors Jason Statham, Imogen Stubbs, Jamie Dornan and Stanley Tucci are also reported to own properties nearby, as is Coldplay singer Chris Martin.

The auction is scheduled for

September 30 and bidders must register in advance and complete ID verification before placing a bid.

Interested parties are advised to make their own inquiries with the local authority regarding potential uses for the land.

The glamorous reputation of Mawgan Porth has skyrocketed since Lord of the Rings actress Cate bought a home there in 2020.

But as more A-list celebrities and other wealthy buyers followed, some locals are unhappy about the

changes to their village. John Bradley, a retired builder, who has lived there with wife Barbara, 77, for 19 years, said: "If you look across the road, five of the seven bungalows are holiday homes. Do you think we're happy with that?

"People lived in one for 30 years and moved out of the country. This guy bought it and as soon as he comes in he wants to take the roof off and put another roof on it. I gave him my views straight away.

"There's a place down the road which is rented out for £7,500. It's just ridiculous."

Monstrosity

Properties along the seafront include series of multi-million pound developments that have attracted the rich and famous.

Star Cate is building a five-bed eco-home after winning permission to knock down the cottage she bought for £1.6m with playwright husband Andrew Upton.

Other "Californian-style" mansions are also taking over the landscape of traditional homes in what was once called "Cornwall's best kept secret", which lies between Padstow and Newquay.

One villager said last month: "I think locals are being priced out.

"We've got a humble little bungalow but every time someone comes and buys one, they knock it down and build some kind of monstrosity.

"I think it's losing its character."

---

26

DIST

EXCLUSIVE

By Matthew Dennison

IN the late summer of 1941, the cloud-capped slopes of the Flestiniog hills in North Wales provided an unexpected setting for lorries belonging to the London Midland & Scottish Railway Company and canvas-covered trucks on loan from the Great Western Railway.

None of the vehicles in question were on railway business and none carried passengers. Instead, carefully loaded, the transported goods were worth the equivalent of millions of pounds today.

Just months after Germany's Luftwaffe had destroyed or damaged two million British homes in the Blitz – killing 40,000 civilians – the lorries were full of some of the nation's most valuable artworks.

The paintings carried belonged to the National Gallery and their secret destination was a series of underground chambers in a slate quarry in this remote location close to the struggling Welsh mining town of Blaenau Flestiniog.

The greatest evacuation of art treasures in British history took place 85 years ago this summer with all the precision, frayed tempers, cost-cutting and shenanigans of a military campaign.

The successful relocation to a series of repurposed subterranean caverns in disused Manod Quarry 250 miles from London may well have saved some of our best-loved paintings from destruction by Nazi bombs.

The 2,000 paintings in question included masterpieces by Rembrandt and Van Dyck, as well as Philippe de Champagne's large portrait of French statesman Cardinal Richelieu and Jan Van Eyck's well-known Arnollin Marriage Portrait, a favourite of visitors to the National Gallery since 1843.

Lorries were conspicuous on these little-travelled lanes. As manoeuvres got underway, gossip was rife in nearby towns and villages. Captain John Sydney Matthews, Manod Quarry's owner, attempted to silence speculation. He told the owner of the local paper shop that the quarry was being used to store lorry loads of butter.

The first paintings arrived at the quarry on August 12. By September 16, all 2,000 artworks had successfully been moved into their new home.

By then, many of these priceless works of art had been out of London for at least two years, hidden in different locations.

Almost a decade had passed since the first meeting of the Museums and Galleries Air Raid Precautions Committee in 1933 – the year Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. The committee's plans had not included a Welsh quarry plagued by damp and, possibly, subsidence. Instead, National Gallery director Kenneth Clark originally considered sending the paintings to Canada for safekeeping.

THAT scheme was halted by none other than the prime minister Winston Churchill, himself an enthusiastic amateur artist.

"Hide them in caves and cellars, but not one picture shall leave this island," Britain's wartime leader told Clark.

Which is precisely what happened. By the time workmen had finished constructing special galleries in Manod Quarry, Churchill's "caves and cellars" were in fact six underground brick structures put up at considerable speed within a series of large, dark caverns.

Building work was undertaken as cheaply as possible. The Office of Works scrutinised every estimate painstakingly. At a time when little help was given to civilians affected by the Blitz in cities including London, Cardiff, Liverpool, Coventry and Birmingham, the government was deter-

The most picturesque mountain in the world

The Second World War evacuation of 2,000 of the nation's greatest works of art to a disused slate mine in remote North Wales 85 years ago this month is the stuff of legend

mined to avoid criticism that more care was being taken of works of art than of ordinary Britons.

Even so, around £65,000 in current values was spent building a new road to the quarry entrance. Previously the quarry's only link to the outside world was a five-mile private track through the mountains of Snowdonia. Before the paintings' arrival at Manod Quarry, many of them had been temporarily rehomed in

'The owner tried to silence speculation by saying it was being used to store lorry loads of butter'

private houses. Like the quarry, the majority of those houses were in North Wales, an area considered unlikely to attract enemy bombing.

Other houses included Old Quarries in the Cotswolds village of Avening, which was protected by anti-tank ditches. Old Quarries belonged to Lord Lee who, in 1921, had given Chequers – now the prime

minister's country retreat – to the nation. Lord Lee hung up all 222 paintings sent to him and requested his servants to take special care of them, including with night-time patrols.

A debate about how best to protect the paintings from theft led to heated arguments on the Museums and Galleries Air Raid Precautions Committee.

One committee member insisted that policemen carrying shotguns would only draw attention to the whereabouts of the paintings, which was meant to be secret. Another claimed that the paintings were in

---

DRAFT

27

Manod Quarry in North Wales. Inset, die Kenneth Clark inspects painting with restored

'Criminal classes who might wish to steal them have anyway been conscripted into services'

Setting up safe space for Cardinal Nicholas, right

Precious cargo carefully moved into the mine

no danger of burglary as "the criminal classes who might wish to steal property from these places have anyway been conscripted into the services".

Instead, contrary to expectations, the evacuated paintings turned out to be in more danger from the eccentric, bad-tempered or uncooperative men and women who first agreed to give them wall space.

No wonder the National Gallery decided to transfer the pictures to Manod Quarry.

At Crosswood House, near Aberystwyth, the Earl of Lisburne was quick to create difficulties for gallery staff. His Lordship had

not anticipated that winter storage of priceless works of art would require him to put the heating on.

He was so irritated at being expected to fire up his antiquated heating system, which burned ten tons of anthracite a week, that he decided instead to rent his house to a girls'

Western Churches kept the art in UK

school, a threat that encouraged gallery authorities to pay him £80 a year towards running costs. Even then Lord Lisburne disliked sharing his house with curators and security staff and insisted that an extension be built to accommodate them where he didn't need to encounter them.

So hot was the Crosswood heating system when it worked that it risked drying out the

paintings. Curators were forced to cover pipes and radiators with damp towels to fill rooms with steam.

Gallery staff had already experienced similar problems at Penrhyn Castle outside Bangor.

The castle belonged to Hugh Napier Douglas-Pennant, 4th Baron Penrhyn, a childless divorcee with a fierce temper and a taste for strong alcohol.

An enormous building, partly built on the proceeds of slave-worked sugar plantations, its roof covered two acres.

In the early days of the war, Penrhyn Castle looked like an appealing option.

High ceilings in the building itself and the tall doors of its coach houses enabled it to house the gallery's biggest paintings. Among them was Van Dyck's famous portrait of Charles I on horseback, which is three-and-a-half metres tall.

Lord Penrhyn himself, however, proved less accommodating than his house. "The owner is celebrating the war by being fairly constantly drunk," one gallery worker wrote to his superiors in London.

He was alarmed when Lord Penrhyn stumbled drunk into the dining room, where the most valuable paintings were stored, accompanied by his dog.

A drink-driving accident briefly kept Lord Penrhyn out of gallery staff's hair, but other problems were just around the corner.

Like Lord Lisburne, Lord Penrhyn explored the possibility of renting the castle to a girls' school.

Then the Board of Education tried to take over the castle as a safe location for the Royal College of Art.

Then Lord Penrhyn struck a deal with the Daimler Motor Company.

HEN a scientific advisor to the National Gallery discovered Manod Quarry, it seemed like an answer to a prayer.

Building work included installing a telephone system and an air-conditioning system intended to maintain temperature and humidity levels.

This was so successful that, in 1944, a gallery report noted the good condition of the paintings and drawings in underground storage, "with no sign whatsoever of deterioration due to occupation of the quarry".

News of the National Gallery's successful evacuation of its priceless collection spread quickly among museum directors and prominent collectors.

By the end of the war, a number of distinguished collections had been temporarily rehomed in these hidden bunkers in the Welsh hills, including paintings from Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle alongside pictures from King George VI's private collection.

In the summer of 1941 the transfer of all 2,000 paintings was organised with military precision. Paintings arrived at the quarry at a rate of 400 to 500 a week.

A team of 20 men, including a handful previously employed as rail track inspectors, unloaded the lorries by hand.

Where a bridge crossed the access road, the road level was lowered to allow the largest paintings under the bridge.

Charles I on Horseback caused the biggest headache, clearing the bridge by a mere three-quarters of an inch, largely on account of its weight, which forced the lorry down on its suspension.

Three years later, the whole operation was repeated in reverse.

By December 1945, all 2,000 paintings had been safely returned to Trafalgar Square. It was the greatest transport of artworks until perhaps the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum last month.

---

28

DXST

30-SECOND CHALLENGE

JUST follow the instructions from left to right, starting with the number given to reach an answer at the end of the row. Set your own 30-second challenge: for the very young or arithmetically rusty, you have 30

seconds for the BEGINNER task. For a greater challenge, try BEGINNER and INTERMEDIATE in 30 seconds. True mental gymnasts should try INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED in 30 seconds together.

Beginner	3	SQUARE IT	+19	÷4	+35	REVERSE THE DIGITS	2/3 OF THIS	-7	×5
Intermediate	254	+86	60% OF THIS	-48	÷12	+158	8/9 OF THIS	+38	3/5 OF THIS
Advanced	8	×64	-164	5/12 OF THIS	+368	4/9 OF THIS	+76	INCREASE BY 75%	-146

THE NATIONAL LOTTERY

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18

ENUMMILLIONS

3 9 38 40 50 6 10

THUNDERBALL

1 3 9 15 23 12

MONDAY, AUGUST 17

SET FOR LIFE

13 14 23 33 36 10

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15

LOTTO ROUND 1

17 27 28 42 47 59 7

LOTTO ROUND 2

4 18 22 30 32 45 55

THUNDERBALL

11 16 24 34 35 3

THE HEALTH LOTTERY

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18

28 31 33 44 49 6

MONDAY, AUGUST 17

23 28 29 39 48 7

PHONE PALL RESULTS

We asked in our poll on Monday:

Should foreign nationals be banned from claiming almost all benefits?

YES: 99%

NO: 1%

SUDOKU

Fill in all the squares so that each row, each column, and each 3x3 square contain all the digits from 1 to 9

8	3			9		1
	6	5	2	8
	1	7			6	4
3	6	8	1	7
	9		3
7	8	2	3	9
	3	5		9
	8	3	4		5
5	1		8	4	2

This is the Quick Sudoku for the solver in a hurry.

For today's solution call:

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(Calls cost 80p per minute

plus your telephone company's

network access charge)

For extra clues call: 09013225602

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MORE PUZZLES - PULLOUT

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION

4	5	8	3	7	2	1	9	6
7	1	3	4	9	6	5	8	2
6	2	9	1	8	5	4	7	3
5	7	4	9	2	3	8	6	1
1	8	6	5	4	7	3	2	9
3	9	2	8	6	1	7	4	5
8	3	7	2	1	9	6	5	4
9	6	1	7	5	4	2	3	8
2	4	5	6	3	8	9	1	7

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Hells bells! Angus kit up for sale

BY CHARLIE FENTON

A SCHOOL

cap and tie

worn by AC/

DC guitarist

Angus Young is

expected to fetch up to

£6,000 at auction.

The items are thought to have been worn by the rocker during the Back in Black tour of England in 1980, according to auctioneers Ewbank's.

The cap is a deep green and has a cream "A" for Angus embroidered on top. It is thought to have been a gift from two fans from Belper, near Derby, to Young. The tie - made by Tootal - has AC/DC crudely applied three times on it, thought to have been done by Young. The two items are being sold by a relative of late AC/DC roadie Keith Evans.

Ewbank's John Silke said: "These are iconic." Bidding starts on August 26.

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---

DIST

29

Confused by a word? You don't say...

BY KATHRYN CHATFIELD

EVER feel flummoxed by how to pronounce unfamiliar words? You are not alone.

A study found 24% of adults are not confident saying new words, with the most mispronounced ones being acai, segue and charcuterie.

It also revealed that 85% of us have had our pronunciation corrected.

But 27% carry on regardless, continuing to say a word the way they are used to even knowing it's wrong.

However, the study also found 85% of adults believe that correct pronunciation is important.

The research was commissioned by Skoda, a car brand bemused that its name is often being mispronounced.

Spokeswoman Kirsten Stagg explained: 'The distinctive mark above the S, known as a hack, or canon, can throw people off, and here in the UK the name is commonly pronounced 'S-co-der' rather than the correct 'Sh-co-da'. That's why we launched our 'Shhhkoda' campaign.'

'Do not call 999 to whine, whine, whine'

BY OLIVIA STRINGER

AN unhappy customer called 999 after he mistakenly bought non-alcoholic G&T.

He demanded police come to his local Tesco Extra after staff refused him a refund as he had already drunk one of the cans in his multipack.

In the call he can be heard moaning about how the drink was placed alongside alcoholic beverages.

He tells the baffled call handler: 'I'm just going to the park to sit in the shade, and I look at it, and it says 0% alcohol.'

The call was shared by Hertfordshire Police as it urged people only to dial 999 in an emergency.

Around 568 calls to 999 and 565 to 101 come into its Force Communications Room every day.

Superintendent Matt Barton said: 'While this call may seem amusing, the serious side is that this individual took up the time of one of our call handlers who could have been helping someone in genuine need, potentially even a life-or-death situation.'

Veterinary X-ray shows airgun pellets in Ripley, one near spine

Help punish yob who shot fox with air rifle

A WILDLIFE charity is offering £3,000 for help catching the person who left this fox paralyzed by shooting her with an air rifle.

The Fox Project were called to reports of a fox in distress in a garden last week.

Its rescue team arrived at the address in Croydon, South London, to find a vixen who had been shot four times - in her leg, spine and torso.

Charity workers named the vixen Ripley but with

BY ISOBEL WILLIAMS

the pellet to her spine causing irreparable paralysis, vets had no choice but to put her down.

The Fox Project's Nicki Townsend, 50, said: 'She had been left alive to endure unimaginable fear and agony, only able to painfully drag herself to cover. 'No animal should be treated this way.'

The charity's appeal on social media offers a £3,000 reward for information that leads to the

perpetrator being convicted, and Nicki said several anonymous tip-offs have already been passed to the National Wildlife Crime Unit.

She added: 'Catapults and air rifles are a problem here. There are animals on a frequent basis coming to us and other wildlife rescues that have been pelleted.'

Foxes are protected against cruelty and abuse under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Bagging a burglar

Serial thief who nabbed £127k caught after carrier gaffe

BY CHARLIE FENTON

A SERIAL burglar has been jailed for more than 12 years after he left a Sainsbury's bag for life at a crime scene with one of his fingerprints on it.

Police linked Charlie Woodford, 27, to the theft of more than £127,000 worth of cash and goods in a series of commercial raids between August 2024 and May 2025.

He was part of a gang who used a crowbar to force entry after hours then ransacked the businesses in Surrey, Hampshire and Somerset.

Sacks

They were filmed on CCTV storming into shops with a big white bag while wearing gloves and covering their faces.

Video footage later found on Woodford's phone showed him in the back of a car, leaning on bulging white rubble sacks stuffed with stolen goods and bragging about having 'the boot jammed full, absolutely brimmed' with more.

He was brought down by an orange

Charlie Woodford, 27, and the Sainsbury's bag left behind that had his fingerprint on it

reusable Sainsbury's bag that was left behind after a raid on an opticians in Haslemere.

Woodford was arrested on June 19 last year in an early-morning raid of several addresses in Southampton and Wiltshire that he was known to have access to. Among the items

recovered by police was a stolen caravan containing packaging and stock-take reports linked to four recent burglaries.

Woodford, of Southampton, was charged with a robbery in Hampshire and conspiracy to commit burglary covering 19 offences across the three

counties. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced at Southampton crown court to two consecutive sentences totalling 12 years and six months.

One was 10 years and six months for a robbery in Hampshire, while the other was for two years for conspiracy to commit burglary.

Investigating officer PC Adam Grindlay said: 'Charlie Woodford's downfall was complacency.'

Meticulous

'He believed he could continue committing burglaries without consequence but every offence left some evidence for us to piece together.

'Through a meticulous investigation we were able to put Woodford before the courts and eventually behind bars.'

He added: 'My message to anyone considering committing burglaries is simple. You should expect us to investigate relentlessly and you should get used to looking over your shoulder - because sooner or later we will catch you.'

---

The revealing and comical memoir of one of Britain's most iconic stars of stage and screen

AMAZON

30

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MONDAY HEALTH & BEAUTY

TUESDAY SHOPPING & PETS

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YOUR MONEY

Edited by HARVEY JONES

Max Pride of Britain winner 2021

Loves mud and rugby

Messest person on earth

Slept in a tent for 3 years to raise £640,000 for his local hospice

Pride of Britain

Awards

Celebrating the nation's unsung heroes

Join the movement @PrideOfBritain

PRIDE OF BRITAIN

AWARDS 2026 Mirror P&O CRUISES

Odds swing

back in your favour again

The chances of a fantastic win on Premium Bonds are just about to improve as NS&I hikes its prize fund rate to 4.35%, with a September payout that's a huge £68m larger than this month

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express.co.uk

OMIT

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

3

MONEY

• 32 Money
• 33 Enterprise
• 35 Property
• 37 Television
• 42 Letters
• PLUS Horoscopes
• PLUS Puzzles

Premium Bonds holders have something to celebrate following news that National Savings & Investments (NS&I) is increasing its prize fund rate to a generous 4.35%. The rate will rise from 3.80% with the September 2026 draw, while the odds of winning will improve from 22,000-to-1 to 21,000-to-1.

More than 308,000 extra tax-free prizes are expected next month, taking the total above 6.5 million and the prize pot to more than £497 million.

NS&I retail director Andrew Westhead said this is the second time this year it has increased the Premium Bonds prize fund rate

and shortened the odds, the last coming in July: "We continue to offer over 22 million savers of all ages the monthly excitement of tax-free prizes with 100% security backed by HM Treasury, and the flexibility to withdraw at any time."

The prize fund will be around £63m bigger than in August. There will also be 12 additional £100,000 prizes, 27 more £50,000 prizes and 51 extra £25,000 prizes. There will be more than 2.3 million £100 prizes.

Premium Bonds don't pay interest. Instead, the prize fund rate determines the amount NS&I expects to pay out in prizes, so 4.35% isn't a guaranteed return. Your winnings could be much higher or lower, or you could win

nothing. While they appeal to savers who fancy their chances of winning tax-free cash, they're less suitable for anyone who needs a dependable income from their savings.

Caitlyn Eastell, personal finance analyst at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said Premium Bonds can be "fun and unconventional", but warned savers not to assume 4.35% was the best rate available: "The best easy access Cash ISAs now pay more than 4.50% and returns could be even higher if you are willing to lock away your cash."

NS&I's instant access Direct ISA pays a variable rate of 3.80% from September, but Atom Bank pays 4.25% and Hargreaves Lansdown HL ISA pays 4.52%. NS&I has also

raised rates on its Guaranteed Growth Bonds (British Savings Bonds). Rates start at 4.81% for its one-year bond and climb to 4.85% over five years. These bonds are subject to tax. As a comparison, GB Bank and Close Brothers Savings pays 4.98% and 4.85% respectively over five years.

Interest rates were expected to fall during 2026 but instead they look set to rise, as the Iran war drives up the oil price and inflation. As a result, banks and building societies are also improving their offerings to savers.

As ever, it pays to shop around and make sure your money is working as hard as it can. But Premium Bonds and British Savings Bonds suddenly look competitive again.

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52 express.co.uk/finance

DIST

express.co.uk

Invest right now to pay for your social care later

Edited by HARVEY JONES

Saving enough money for retirement is difficult enough. Funding social care from your own pocket as well is even harder. Building a big enough pot to enjoy a moderate standard of living in retirement, while also funding residential social care if required, could require almost £1.5 million by age 60, new figures from investment platform IG show.

That works out at around £800,000 in today's money, which is still a daunting sum. To achieve it, today's 30-year-old would need to invest almost £12,000 a year, or around £1,000 a month, for the next 30 years. This assumes investments grow at an average rate of 8% a year, while the cost of retirement and social care rises at around 2% annually.

IG has published its analysis as PM Andy Burnham tries to negotiate a new settlement on social care funding, potentially moving towards a system where care is free at the point of use, like the NHS.

Such a system could cost around £18 billion a year, according to estimates, putting another huge burden on taxpayers. But funding social care yourself can be an even bigger burden.

Today, care costs in England are means tested. People with assets above £23,250 will generally be expected to pay their own care costs, although the rules are more complicated than that simple threshold suggests.

Once assets fall below £23,250, councils may start contributing, while those with assets below £14,250 won't have to use that capital, they may still have to hand over much of their income. The result is that many people can see

their savings and pensions steadily drained by care bills. For homeowners, the family home can also become part of the calculation, although there are important exceptions, including circumstances where a partner or certain relatives continue living there.

IG investment analyst Aaron Bright said younger people need to start planning early: 'The longer the time-horizon, the greater the benefit from compounding. Our analysis shows how essential it is to take a long-term view to retirement and social care planning.'

IG estimates that three years in residential care could cost around £150,000 in today's money. That's on top of around £654,000 needed to fund a moderate standard of living throughout a 20-year retirement.

Together, that's roughly £804,000 in today's money. Allow for 2% annual inflation over 30 years and the figure rises to £1.46m.

Around one in seven 65-year-olds can expect to incur social care costs of more than £100,000, according to official figures.

Lucie Spencer, partner in financial planning at wealth management firm Evelyn Partners says: 'Social care can eat through carefully built-up savings, pensions and legacies.'

Burnham has previously suggested a 10% inheritance tax levy to help fund social care.

The problem is that whichever way we fund social care, somebody has to pay. Taxpayers could shoulder the burden through higher taxes, or individuals could shoulder it by building much larger retirement pots.

Saving for something you expect to happen, like retirement, is difficult enough. Saving for something you hope will never happen is even harder. So is paying tax for it.

Millions of drivers risk leaving their car uninsured by failing to tell their insurer that they have moved address, new research shows.

Aviva found that 15% of drivers surveyed were unaware that moving home was something they needed to declare. The figure rose to 37% among 18 to 24-year-olds.

More than seven in 10 drivers were unclear about key changes they needed to report, potentially leaving them facing difficulties if they need to make a claim.

Aviva motor claims manager James Driscoll said: 'Car insurance is based on the information drivers provide, so it's important insurers are made aware of any changes as soon as they happen.'

Drivers should also tell their insurer if they change jobs, particularly if they start using their car for deliveries, courier work, transporting passengers or regular business travel.

Your insurer will partly base your premiums on your annual mileage, yet only six in 10 knew they should report a change. Where you car is normally kept overnight is another important detail, as premiums will be lower if parked on a driveway or in a garage. But one in four were unaware they needed to update their insurer if this

Always keep your car insurer bang up to date

changed. Changing the car itself should always be reported, as the make, model, value and performance can all affect the risk being insured.

Almost a quarter of drivers didn't know that allowing their MOT to expire could affect their insurance or a subsequent claim, Driscoll said: 'If in doubt, it's worth contacting your insurer

directly to make sure they have the correct information on file.'

Drivers should also check their details carefully at renewal rather than assuming their insurer will spot anything that's changed.

A quick update could prevent a very nasty surprise just when you need your cover most.

Three biggest pitfalls that could quickly drain a pension pot

Even the best-laid retirement plans can be knocked off course by events, and three incidents in particular can turn them completely upside down.

When planning for the future, it's important to be aware of the dangers out there, to make sure you're setting aside enough.

Maike Currie, VP personal finance at PensionBee, has highlighted three big threats that could leave people falling short in retirement: 'While very different, each can interrupt earnings, reduce pension contributions or delay long-term saving entirely, making it harder for people to build the retirement savings they need.'

Funding the Bank of Mum and Dad Some 3.6 million adults aged 20 to 34 lived with their parents in 2024, as high housing costs make it harder to stand alone. Many more rely on parents for rent, deposits or everyday bills.

Currie said planning can be harder if you have to fund grown-up children when you should be prioritising your own retirement. Tip: Help your children if you can, but don't sacrifice your own pension saving to do it.

Divorce can ravage pensions Pensions can be one of the most valuable assets in a marriage, yet they're often overlooked when couples separate. More than a third of divorcees didn't know the value of their own

pension when they separated, according to research cited by the Pensions Policy Institute.

'Giving up pension wealth without understanding its long-term value can have consequences that last a lifetime,' Currie said. Tip: Make sure every pension is valued and considered as part of the financial settlement.

Caring responsibilities Looking after children or ageing parents can interrupt careers, reduce earnings and weaken pension saving. Women are particularly exposed to this risk, Currie said: 'Caring is one of the biggest hidden risks.'

Tip: Carers should check if they qualify for National Insurance credits and keep saving in a pension where possible.

---

express.co.uk

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 43

ENTERPRISE

Edited by MAISHA FROST

Vapoura smells like team spirit

Distil premium rum brand Vapoura and you'll discover drinks crafted with consummate care and presented in keepsake fluted bottles from a producer dedicated to making in Britain.

This year there will be a new release and the completion of a £1.8million seed fund raise as the company pursues its "spirit forward" approach.

Begun in 2024 founders and long-standing rugby friends Olly Barkley and Ed Jackson took the opportunity to fill a gap at the top end of the rum category.

"When we started there was nothing that felt modern, British and genuinely premium," says Barkley, director of operations and brand strategy. "From the outset we invested in the liquid and the brand architecture in parallel. The broader social context then helped us: premiumisation across spirits, consumers trading up on fewer, better bottles and an appetite for brands that tell a richer cultural story."

Instead of using imported bulk spirit, sugar cane from Mauritius is refined into black molasses domestically then Vapoura, whose master distiller is John Hall, carries out the fermentation, distillation and maturation processes at its site in Cornwall.

"We are really building a luxury cultural brand around the liquid," says Jackson who leads on partnerships and trade.

"That means the distillation, bottle design, the art partnerships, the venues we show up in and events we run are all designed to make

Vapoura more like a luxury house that happens to make exceptional rum."

The company's "work horse" Chapter One, aged in bourbon oak casks, is spicy with vanilla and pink peppercorn notes that make it an ideal mixer.

Golden Chapter Two, matured for six months in sherry casks, has been "an emotional hit" appealing to more mature spirits drinkers.

Featuring lingering deep caramel and dark chocolate flavours, it is designed for cocktails or to be sipped neat.

Sixty per cent of sales have come through direct-to-consumer and the company recently enhanced its reputation by securing high social standards B Corps accreditation.

Premium hospitality and specialist retail clients include Soho House, luxury hotel The Mandrake, Daylesford Organic and the Master of Malt.

"Places where the right audience meets Vapoura for the first time," says Jackson.

Turnover is expected to grow 60% over 2026/27 with the investment helping fund specialist hires and marketing expansion.

The brand will also unveil its Chapter Three rum in time for Christmas and the hamper season. From 2028 it will look to begin exporting to Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

"The right sip in the right setting is what converts and brings in new customers," says Jackson.

"As we become more experienced we're now less risk averse and take notice of the reasons to do something - life is short."

● vapourarum.com, bottles from £48

"Coolly outrageous memoir"

Daily Mail

90 years and still counting...

AMAZON

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34

DIXST

Best savings, mortgages and personal finance deals

Source: Moneyfactscompare.co.uk

Rates correct at 8:00am: 18th August 2026

EASY ACCESS

Provider	Account	Term or Notice	Min	AER	Interest Paid
cahoot	Sunny Day Saver (6)	None	£1	5.00%	Yearly
Spring	Accelerate Saver	None	£10	5.00%	Monthly
LemFi	Instant Access Savings	None	£1	5.00% A	Monthly
Tembo Money	HomeSaver	None	£10	4.55% A	Monthly

SHORT TERM FIXED RATES

Provider	Account	Term or Notice	Min	AER	Interest Paid
MBNA	Fixed Saver	1 Yr Bnd	£1,000	4.85% F	On maturity
Vanquis Bank	Fixed Bond	1 Yr Bnd	£1,000	4.82% F	Yearly
GB Bank	Fixed Bond	1 Yr Bnd	£1,000	4.77% F	On maturity
Union Bank of India (UK) Ltd	Union Premier Bond	1 Yr Bnd	£1,000	4.76% F	On maturity

LONG TERM FIXED RATES

Provider	Account	Term or Notice	Min	AER	Interest Paid
Market Harborough BS	Fixed Term Bond 37	30.09.31	£5,000	5.00% F	Yearly
Family Building Society	Fixed Bond (46)	5 Yr Bnd	£10,000	4.99% F	Yearly
GB Bank	Fixed Bond	5 Yr Bnd	£1,000	4.98% F	Yearly
Afin Bank	Fixed Term (12)	60 mth Bnd	£1,000	4.96% F	Yearly

NOTICE ACCOUNTS

Provider	Account	Term or Notice	Min	AER	Interest Paid
GB Bank	Notice 1 Account	150 Day	£1,000	4.38%	Yearly
BLME B	Notice Account (10)	90 Day	£10,000	4.37%	Quarterly
StreamBank	Notice Account - 12	90 Day	£1,000	4.35%	Monthly
Earl Shilton BS	Notice Online - 2	180 Day	£5,000	4.27%	Yearly

VARIABLE ISAs

Provider	Account	Term or Notice	Min	AER	Interest Paid
Sidekick	Cash ISA	None	£1	4.61% A	Monthly
Progressive BS	1 Year Double Access ISA (4)	None	£1	4.60%	Yearly
Chip	Chip Smart Cash ISA	None	£1	4.55% A	Monthly
Plum	Plum Cash ISA	None	£1	4.36% A	Monthly

BALANCE TRANSFER CREDIT CARDS

Provider	Product Name	0% Period	Fee	APR
TSB	Plat Balance Transfer MC	38 mths	3.49%	24.9%
HSBC	Balance Transfer CC Visa	36 mths	3.09%	24.9%
NatWest	Longer BT CC MC	36 mths	3.10%	24.9%
Virgin Money	36 Month BT CC MC	36 mths	3.10%	24.9%

PURCHASE CREDIT CARDS

Provider	Product Name	0% Period	APR
TSB	Plat Purchase Card MC	26 mths	24.9%
Halifax	0% Purchase and BT CC Visa	25 mths	24.9%
Lloyds Bank	0% Purchase and BT CC Visa	25 mths	24.9%
Barclaycard	Plat 21 Mth BT 24 Mth Pur V	24 mths	24.9%

FIRST TIME BUYERS

Provider	Initial Rate	Period	Max LTV	Fee	Redemption Charge
Nationwide BS	5.34%F	for 2 years	95%	Nil	1st 2 yrs
HSBC	5.41%F	to 31.10.28	95%	Nil	To 31.10.28
Nationwide BS	5.29%F	for 5 years	95%	Nil	1st 5 yrs
HSBC	5.33%F	to 31.10.31	95%	Nil	To 31.10.31

SHORT TERM FIXED RATES

Provider	Initial Rate	Period	Max LTV	Fee	Redemption Charge
First direct	4.59%	for 2 years	60%	£490	1st 2 yrs
First direct	4.87%	for 2 years	90%	£490	1st 2 yrs
First direct	4.63%	for 3 years	75%	£490	1st 3 yrs
West Brom BS	5.11%	to 31.10.29	90%	Nil	To 31.10.29

LONG TERM FIXED RATES

Provider	Initial Rate	Period	Max LTV	Fee	Redemption Charge
First direct	4.60%	for 5 years	60%	£490	1st 5 yrs
Coventry BS	4.72%	to 31.12.31	75%	£999	To 31.12.31
Nationwide BS	4.81%	for 5 years	90%	£999	1st 5 yrs
Nationwide BS	5.49%	for 10 years	80%	£999	1st 10 yrs

VARIABLE TRACKER RATES

Provider	Initial Rate	Period	Max LTV	Fee	Redemption Charge
Santander	4.03%	for 2 years	60%	£999	None
Yorkshire BS	4.13%	to 30.11.28	75%	£995	None
Nationwide BS	4.29%	for 2 years	85%	£999	None
Santander	4.80%	for 2 years	90%	Nil	None

REMORTGAGES

Provider	Initial Rate	Period	Max LTV	Fee	Redemption Charge
First direct	4.76%F	for 2 years	60%	£490	1st 2 yrs
First direct	4.84%F	for 2 years	75%	£490	1st 2 yrs
HSBC	4.78%F	to 31.10.31	75%	£999	To 31.10.31
Coventry BS	4.94%F	to 31.12.31	85%	£999	To 31.12.31

PERSONAL LOANS - BASED ON £10,000 OVER 5 YEARS

Provider	APR	Monthly Repayment	Total Amount Repayable
M&S Bank	5.9%	£192.15	£11,529.00
TSB	6.1%	£193.03	£11,581.80
Tesco Bank	6.4%	£194.35	£11,661.00
Santander	6.4%	£194.35	£11,661.00

CURRENT ACCOUNTS WITH CREDIT INTEREST

Provider	Account	AER
Nationwide BS	FlexDirect	5.00% A
LHV Bank	LHV Current Account	3.75%
iFAST Global Bank	Multi-Currency Current Account	2.65%
Kroo Bank Ltd	Current Account	2.65%

A = Introductory rate for a limited period. B = Provider/account operates under Islamic finance principles, rate shown is expected profit rate.

D = Discounted variable rate. F = Fixed rate. V = Variable rate.

All rates and terms are subject to change without notice and should be checked before finalising any arrangement. No liability can be accepted for any

direct or consequential loss arising from the use of, or reliance upon, this information. Readers who are not financial professionals should seek expert advice.

Visit Moneyfactscompare.co.uk for full details.

---

To advertise in this section email class.property@express.co.uk, or call 020 7098 2894

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 35

EXPRESS UK PROPERTY ON THE HOME FRONT

Edited by DEBORAH STONE

A fast track to part exchange

News that property sales slumped last month – down 9% compared with July 2025 – is yet another reason why people trying to sell their home are having to think outside the boxroom. House prices have flat-lined this year – up just 1.3% year-on-year according to Zoopla – which is also discouraging owners from putting homes on the market.

But when you've got to move, you've got to move – and increasingly buyers are looking to new-build developments where they can take advantage of sales deals such as part exchange.

Although part exchange is unlikely to achieve as high a price as on the open market, benefits include a reasonably quick sale with few complications.

Jo and Jason Cook opted for part exchange when they decided to upgrade their family life with adult children Ebony, 22, and Alex, 19.

"We were in that classic crossroads situation

where we'd been debating whether to move for a few years," says Jo, 48, who works in customer services for a telecoms company.

"Our children are now adults and have their own lives, so we thought it was best to move on to our next chapter as an adult family."

The decision came after discovering The Poppies development in Aylesford, near Maidstone in Kent, where three and four-bedroom homes have incentives including deposit boost and key worker schemes.

"One of the major things putting us off a house move was the horrors you hear from chains collapsing and experiences we'd encountered before," says Jo.

"This was a daunting prospect until we found out about David Wilson Homes' part exchange scheme."

It can take six months or more to move home if you're selling and buying at the same time, according to Zoopla, but it took Jo and Jason just two months. Jason, a food service

industry general manager, says: "It was a big step for us to upsize into a new-build, but we are reaping the benefits now. For the whole process to take only two months is a dream come true – people can't quite believe it when we tell them.

"We have the flexibility for so much more in our new space, including a study to be used as an office for working from home days and lots of rooms for socialising."

The Poppies currently has three and four-bedroom homes for sale from £449,995 to £634,995 (03300 291173; dwh.co.uk), featuring solar panels, waste water heat recovery

systems, argon-filled double glazing, highly efficient insulation and electric car charging.

Sales and managing director at David Wilson Homes Kent, Natalie Perry, says part exchange works particularly well for "third or fourth steppers who have lived and breathed the stress of a house move".

Part exchange is offered by many developers and typically includes independent valuations for the home to be sold, no estate agent fees and no move until the new-build is ready, although drawbacks may include lower sale prices, eligibility rules and limited choice of new-build properties.

THE INSIDE STORY OF BRITAIN'S BIGGEST CRIMES

By the ex Daily Mirror Chief Crime Correspondent, aka 'The Murder Guy'

Available from all good bookshops and Amazon

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---

More TV and film news at express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio

ONST

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

37

TODAY'S TV ONES TO WATCH

by MIKE WARD TV critic

Pick of the day

FAKE OR FORTUNE? WHAT HAPPENED NEXT, BBC1, 8PM

CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF, BBC1, 9PM

"We've invited a very special guest to the MasterChef kitchen," co-host Grace Dent says tonight. That very special guest having presumably turned them down, in strolls Paddy McGuinness. (Sorry, couldn't resist). Paddy is known, Grace has reminded the five aproned-up celebrities, for "his straight talking, his fabulous sense of humour and his unmistakable northern charm". Which must come as something of a relief for them.

Straight talking? Fine. Sense of humour? Fair enough. Northern charm? No problem. Imagine if she'd told them: "Paddy is known for his knowledge of food."

EXTRAORDINARY EXTENSIONS, C4, 8PM

YOU know when you decide one of your rooms needs a lick of paint, or maybe new curtains? You know how this can trigger a domino effect?

"While we're doing this," you think, "we might as well do that, and maybe this, and maybe that..." and suddenly your DIY job has escalated into Project Mad, so crazy that a C4 property show wants to film it, so viewers can sit on the sofa on a Wednesday night and go: "Have these people lost their minds?"

Well, Michelle and Simon, the pair Tinie Tempah meets tonight, decided one day to convert their loft. "It just spiralled from there..." says Michelle.

FAKE FRENCH CONNECTION FOR FIONA?

TO YOU remember an episode of Fake Or Fortune from 2018, where a bunch of drawings found in a garden shed in France were believed to be the early work of legendary French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, but then turned out not to be, or at least not definitely to be?

Do you remember the frustration of Alain, the man who owned them, who had hoped they might be worth hundreds of thousands of things called "euros"?

Me, I actually think I do. Remember it, I mean. (Bear in mind I can struggle even to remember what happened on last night's EastEnders. I'll just remember it involved a lot of shouting.)

Anyway, tonight's catch-up episode picks up this story to see if there have been any new

developments. And would you believe there have? Yes, of course, you would.

The BBC wouldn't have made a catch-up episode if nothing new had happened, would they? They're not idiots.

Well, yes, all right, good point – but they are not when it comes to shows like this, let's be fair.

The key point at the end of the original episode was that the committee of experts who'd originally insisted these sketches weren't Toulouse-Lautrec's seemed to be wavering. Compelling new evidence had been sent to them.

Now they were simply saying they hadn't time to wade through it all, or words to that effect. Lazy so-and-so.

So at least it was no longer an outright

"non". It had become a "peut-être". Which was "progrès". "If you can keep your fighting spirit going," Philip had told Alain, "you never know what the outcome might be."

Fast-forward to now and Fiona returns to Bordeaux, to catch up with Alain and his wife Caroline and to speak to them in French, which she's good at.

Among the stuff Caroline has found during her own research is a rough sketch of a horse.

It turns out Toulouse-Lautrec painted a picture of a horse (called Gazelle) and – get this – the horses look similar.

One of them looks like a horse, and so does the other. It's amazing.

Back in London, an excited Philip thinks this is "highly persuasive" evidence.

I can't wait to hear if the experts agree.

BEST COMEDY

WOULD I LIVE TO YOUR? (BEAUTY, 8.25PM)

Alan Davies, Richard Osman, Germaine Greer and Jermaine Jenas bolster the efforts of team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack. Hosted by Rob Brydon

BEST DRAMA

PROFESSOR 1 (FIT), 8PM

It's a sombre start as Dr Helena Goldberg (Juliet Stevenson) tries to break through to Prof Jasper Tempest (Ben Miller, above) following the death of DI Lisa Donckers.

BEST REALITY

BATTLE OF THE IRISH DANCERS (BEAUTY), 8PM

In the second of this three-part series, cameras follow the dedicated dancers and their teachers as they prepare for the Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin.

BEST DOC

MANY BRAND'S ULTIMATE DOME (BIC4, 9.25PM)

The classicist looks at citizenship and identity, including what it meant to be, or become Roman, and how the different parts of the empire reacted to Roman rule.

---

33

DRAFT

express.co.uk

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Wednesday, August 19, 2026

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ITV2	REEVES
6.00am Backyard Builds	6.30 Dress to Impress 7.30 The Real Housewives of Potomac 8.30 The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills 9.15 The Only Way Is Essex 10.15 Dawson's Creek 11.10 Charmed 12.10pm Deal or No Deal 1.10 Supermarket Sweep 2.10 The Floor 3.10 The Only Way Is Essex 4.10 The Real Housewives of Potomac 5.00 The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
6.00 Celebrity Catchphrase	7.00 The Floor The 33 remaining contestants fight for more squares.
8.00 The 1% Club Quiz show.	9.00 Family Guy The episodes. Peter is arrested; Quagmire is reunited with a former lover; Stewie becomes addicted to medication; Joe's estranged father Bud visits; Stewie replaces Brian.
11.35 American Dad! Stan goes wild.	12.35 Bob's Burgers 1.30 G'wed 1.55 Transaction 2.20 Unwind with ITV 3.00-6.00am Teleshopping

ITVQuiz	REEVES
9.00am Deal or No Deal	10.00 Tipping Point 1.00pm Lingo 2.00 Tenable 3.00 Wheel of Fortune 4.00 Robitious 5.00 Deal or No Deal. Stephen Mulhern hosts as Guy tries to open the 22 red boxes in the right order, taking on the Banker for the chance to win a cash prize.
6.00 Lingo Three episodes. CJ and his dad Caspar from Dorchester, siblings Marie and Claire from Craigavon, and Will and Helen from London and Bristol compete; taking part are best friends Tamika and Ollie from Essex and Hertfordshire, Amy and Chris from London, and Riccardo and his mum Christiana from Rochdale, Kelli and Ruth, Alice and Vicky, and Ethan and Beth take part. Quiz, hosted by Adli Ray.	9.00 Supermarket Sweep Rylan Clark hosts a revival of the gameshow.
10.00 Tipping Point Three episodes. Quiz show, hosted by Ben Shephard.	12.55 Tenable 1.50 Robitious 2.40 Unwind 3.00-9.00am Teleshopping

BBC3	REEVES
7.00pm The Catch Up The news.	7.05 Deadly 60 Double bill.
8.00 BBC Mission: Impossible (1996, PG) A secret agent is accused of betraying his fellow spies, and sets out on a mission to clear his name. Action thriller based on the 1960s TV series, starring Tom Cruise and Jon Voight. ★★★★	8.05 Simon Sebag Montefiore Remembers - Rome: A History of the Eternal City A look back.
9.45 Guy Montgomery's Guy Meet Spelling Bee Double bill. The comedy panel must perform some very convincing impressions; there is culinary chaos as the panel spelt what Aaron is cooking.	8.15 Rome: A History of the Eternal City The role of religion in creating and maintaining the city.
11.20 TV Yesterday 2019, 12 A musician wakes up after being hit by a bus to find he is the only person in the world who remembers the Beatles. Danny Boyle's comedy, with Hinneth Patel and Lily James. ★★★	9.15 Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit The scholar examines identity and citizenship within the Roman Empire.
1.05am Lasthood: four episodes 2.45-3.45am Vigil. Thriller.	10.15 L'Claudius Double bill. Sejanus seeks permission to marry Liviila; Caligula is hailed as the new Caesar.
	12.00m't The Australian Wars 12.55 Canal Boat Diaries 1.25 Rome: A History of the Eternal City 2.25 Villages by the Sea 2.55-3.55am Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit

BBC4	REEVES
7.00pm Villages by the Sea Exploring Cashendall in Northern Ireland.	7.30 Canal Boat Diaries Robbie Cumming explores the Midlands.
8.00 Simon Sebag Montefiore Remembers - Rome: A History of the Eternal City A look back.	8.05 Simon Sebag Montefiore Remembers - Rome: A History of the Eternal City A look back.
8.15 Rome: A History of the Eternal City The role of religion in creating and maintaining the city.	8.15 Rome: A History of the Eternal City The role of religion in creating and maintaining the city.
9.15 Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit The scholar examines identity and citizenship within the Roman Empire.	9.15 Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit The scholar examines identity and citizenship within the Roman Empire.
10.15 L Claudius Double bill. Sejanus seeks permission to marry Liviila; Caligula is hailed as the new Caesar.	10.15 L Claudius Double bill. Sejanus seeks permission to marry Liviila; Caligula is hailed as the new Caesar.
12.00m't The Australian Wars 12.55 Canal Boat Diaries 1.25 Rome: A History of the Eternal City 2.25 Villages by the Sea 2.55-3.55am Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit	12.00m't The Australian Wars 12.55 Canal Boat Diaries 1.25 Rome: A History of the Eternal City 2.25 Villages by the Sea 2.55-3.55am Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit

GB News	REEVES
6.00am Breakfast with Eamonn and Ellie 9.30 Britain's Newsroom 12.00noon Good Afternoon Britain. The latest stories from across the United Kingdom. 3.00 Martin Daubney. The latest updates.	6.00am Breakfast with Eamonn and Ellie 9.30 Britain's Newsroom 12.00noon Good Afternoon Britain. The latest stories from across the United Kingdom. 3.00 Martin Daubney. The latest updates.
6.00 Devbs & Co The day's news.	6.00 Devbs & Co The day's news.
7.00 GBN Tonight The issues that matter to Britain, with interviews.	7.00 GBN Tonight The issues that matter to Britain, with interviews.
8.00 Jacob Rees-Mogg's State Of The Nation Jacob Rees-Mogg presents his take on the day's stories.	8.00 Jacob Rees-Mogg's State Of The Nation Jacob Rees-Mogg presents his take on the day's stories.
9.00 Patrick Christys Tonight The latest topical discussion and debate.	9.00 Patrick Christys Tonight The latest topical discussion and debate.
11.00 Patrick Christys Tonight Late Edition Tomorrow's news, tonight. All the major stories making the front pages and full coverage of all the breaking news at home and abroad.	11.00 Patrick Christys Tonight Late Edition Tomorrow's news, tonight. All the major stories making the front pages and full coverage of all the breaking news at home and abroad.
12.00m't The Late Show Live 3.00 Patrick Christys Tonight Replay 5.00-6.00am Patrick Christys Tonight Late Edition	12.00m't The Late Show Live 3.00 Patrick Christys Tonight Replay 5.00-6.00am Patrick Christys Tonight Late Edition

U&Dave	REEVES
6.00am Teleshopping 7.20 Top Gear 8.10 Border Force: America's Gatekeepers 10.15 Rick Stein's Cornwall 11.20 Yukon Gold 12.20pm Top Gear 2.20 Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing 3.00 Guy Martin: Proper Jobs 4.00 Harry Bikers' Best of British 5.00 Rick Stein's Cornwall	6.00am Teleshopping 7.15 The Bill 8.10 Doctors 9.20 Classic Holly City 10.40 Casualty 11.40 The Bill 12.40pm Classic EastEnders 2.00 Classic Neighbours 3.00 Whistleblower 4.05 Lovejoy 5.20 As Time Goes By. Classic sitcom.
6.00 Rick Stein's Cornwall Double bill.	6.00 Last of the Summer Wine Triple bill.
7.05 Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing Bob and Paul head to the island of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides.	8.00 The Chelsea Detective Double bill. A former pop star is found dead just days before Christmas; Max and Layla investigate a string of potential suspects.
7.40 Would I Lie to You? Double bill.	10.00 New Tricks A former Irish dissident sheds light on the abduction of an 18-year-old woman in 1983, but his subsequent reinvention as a politician leaves the team suspicious of his motives.
9.00 GI XL With Aisling Bea, Mark Watson, Michelle Wolf and Alan Davies.	11.20 TV Yesterday 2019, 12 A musician wakes up after being hit by a bus to find he is the only person in the world who remembers the Beatles. Danny Boyle's comedy, with Hinneth Patel and Lily James. ★★★
10.00 Have I Got a Bit More News for You Stephen Mangan hosts, with guests Andy Hamilton and Chloe Petty.	12.40am Lovejoy 1.50 Sister Boniface Madeleine 2.50 The Chelsea Detective 4.00-6.00am Teleshopping
11.00 Taskmaster With Noel Fielding.
12.00m't Much the Week, Satirical panel show. 12.40 Would I Lie to You? 2.00 GI XL. Quiz show. 3.00 Richard Osman's House of Games 3.30 Parks and Recreation 4.00-6.00am Teleshopping

U&Drama	REEVES
6.00am Teleshopping 7.15 The Bill 8.10 Doctors 9.20 Classic Holly City 10.40 Casualty 11.40 The Bill 12.40pm Classic EastEnders 2.00 Classic Neighbours 3.00 Whistleblower 4.05 Lovejoy 5.20 As Time Goes By. Classic sitcom.	6.00am Teleshopping 7.15 The Bill 8.10 Doctors 9.20 Classic Holly City 10.40 Casualty 11.40 The Bill 12.40pm Classic EastEnders 2.00 Classic Neighbours 3.00 Whistleblower 4.05 Lovejoy 5.20 As Time Goes By. Classic sitcom.
6.00 Last of the Summer Wine Triple bill.	6.00 Last of the Summer Wine Triple bill.
8.00 The Chelsea Detective Double bill. A former pop star is found dead just days before Christmas; Max and Layla investigate a string of potential suspects.	8.00 The Chelsea Detective Double bill. A former pop star is found dead just days before Christmas; Max and Layla investigate a string of potential suspects.
10.00 New Tricks A former Irish dissident sheds light on the abduction of an 18-year-old woman in 1983, but his subsequent reinvention as a politician leaves the team suspicious of his motives.	10.00 New Tricks A former Irish dissident sheds light on the abduction of an 18-year-old woman in 1983, but his subsequent reinvention as a politician leaves the team suspicious of his motives.
11.20 Luther Two hoodies are shot and it appears to be gang related, until Luther realises a vigilante is at work, targeting people who have a criminal record.	11.20 Luther Two hoodies are shot and it appears to be gang related, until Luther realises a vigilante is at work, targeting people who have a criminal record.
12.40am Lovejoy 1.50 Sister Boniface Madeleine 2.50 The Chelsea Detective 4.00-6.00am Teleshopping	12.40am Lovejoy 1.50 Sister Boniface Madeleine 2.50 The Chelsea Detective 4.00-6.00am Teleshopping

F4	REEVES
6.00am Hollyoaks 6.55 Rudelish Tube Shorts 7.00 Couples Come Dine with Me 8.00 Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 10.00 America's Funniest Home Videos 11.00 Below Deck: Mediterranean 12.00noon The Simpsons: four episodes 2.00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 3.00 Modern Family: four episodes 5.00 The Simpsons	6.00am Hollyoaks 6.55 Rudelish Tube Shorts 7.00 Couples Come Dine with Me 8.00 Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 10.00 America's Funniest Home Videos 11.00 Below Deck: Mediterranean 12.00noon The Simpsons: four episodes 2.00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 3.00 Modern Family: four episodes 5.00 The Simpsons
6.00 The Simpsons Lisa accepts an invitation to join a Wilcoan cover.	6.00 The Simpsons Lisa accepts an invitation to join a Wilcoan cover.
6.30 Hollyoaks Double bill.	6.30 The Simpsons Grampa boosts Homer's love life with a virility tonic.
7.30 The Simpsons Grampa boosts Homer's love life with a virility tonic.	8.00 The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer Baking challenge.
8.00 The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer Baking challenge.	9.00 Gogglebox Double bill.
9.00 Gogglebox Double bill.	11.05 First Dates Student Madeleine is paired with a Tom Hardy impersonator.
11.05 First Dates Student Madeleine is paired with a Tom Hardy impersonator.	12.10am Naked Attraction 1.15 Gogglebox 2.15 Vanderpump Rules 3.05 The Simpsons 3.30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 4.20 The Goldbergs 5.10-6.00am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA

Variations & S4C
WALES As BBC1 except: 1.35-1.45pm BBC Wales Today; Weather 6.30-7.00 BBC Wales Today 10.30-10.45pm BBC Wales Today
MERIDIAN As ITV1 except: 1.20-1.30pm ITV News Meridian; Weather 6.00-6.30 ITV News Meridian 10.30-10.45pm ITV News Meridian
CENTRAL As ITV1 except: 1.20-1.30pm ITV News Central; Weather 6.00-6.30 ITV News Central 10.30-10.45pm ITV News Central
ITV WALES As ITV1 except: 1.20-1.30pm ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather 6.00-6.30 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather 10.30-10.45pm ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather
WEST As ITV1 except: 1.20-1.30pm ITV News West Country; Weather 6.00-6.30 ITV News West Country; Weather 10.30-10.45pm ITV News West Country
ANGLO As ITV1 except: 1.20-1.30pm ITV News Anglia; Weather 6.00-6.30 ITV News Anglia; Weather 10.30-10.45pm ITV News Anglia; Weather
WESTCOUNTRY As ITV1 except: 1.20-1.30pm ITV News West Country; Weather 6.00-6.30 ITV News West Country; Weather

10.30-10.45pm ITV News West Country. A round-up of the latest headlines; Weather

S4C 6.00am Cyw 11.00 Camau Bacth 11.00 Abadas 11.15 Cywion Bacth 11.20 Canu Canu a Stion 11.30 Octonots 11.45 Jen a Jim a'r Cywastur 12.00noon Newyddion S4C a'r Tywydd 12.05pm Carrefi Cymru 12.30 Hano 1.00 Linen Morgan; Her 333 1.30 Garattio a Mwy 2.00 Newyddion S4C a'r Tywydd 2.05 Prytheam Da 3.00 Newyddion S4C a'r Tywydd 3.05 Siwma Scandi Chris 4.00 Awr Fawr 5.00 Shwreth 6.00 Dav Div. Featuring properties in Anglesey and Abercrombie 6.30 Addelack/Freundthwyd. Camp Out West. Cameron follow Jon and Emilie's journey, as they build a dream in west Wales. 7.00 Hano. Nigthy magazine. 7.30 Newyddion S4C a'r Tywydd 8.00 Robol y Cwm 8.25 Carrefi Cymru. Aleid Samuel and Bethan Sconey look into the history of workers' houses. 8.55 Newyddion S4C a'r Tywydd 9.00 Prodas Pum Mil. The team organise the wedding of Meg and Luke. 10.00 Y Dres Jorning James Williams to play for the jackpot are teams from Dinas Maenddwy and Dolgellaw. Pontnewydd and Tregarth; and Trelech and Cynwyl Elfrid. 10.30-11.35pm Ty Fift

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Sport

SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT

6.00am Sky Sports News 7.00 Sky Sports Breakfast 8.00 Good Morning Transfers 10.00 BHL Test Cricket England v Pakistan. Coverage of the opening day of the first Test. 7.00pm LNB Tennis The Cincinnati Open. Coverage of day seven of the past ATP 1000 and WTA 1000 event, a hard-court tournament at Lothian Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, where the last 16 is due to take place. Top seed and 2024 champion, Jarvis Sinner booked his place in last year's quarter-finals with a 6-4-7-6 win against Adrian Marmarino, while the number two seed Carlos Alcaraz also won in straight sets, leading Luca Nardi 6-1 6-4. 4.00-6.00am Sky Sports News

SKY SPORTS CRICKET

6.00am Test Cricket Tour episodes 10.00 BHL Test Cricket England v Pakistan. Coverage of the opening day of the first Test in the three-match series, held in Headingley, Leeds. The is England's first match in this format since Brandon McCullum was dismissed as head coach with Manzo Smocchuck taking charge on an interim basis, and Joe Root replaced Dan Straus as captain, having previously held the role between 2017 and 2022. 7.00pm Best of ICC WT20 7.15 Best of ICC WT20 7.30 International T20 Cricket 8.00 Test Cricket 8.00 International T20 Cricket 8.30 Test Cricket Blissies 9.45 Best of ICC WT20 10.00 Test Cricket 11.00 One-Day International Cricket 12.00mT Test Cricket 1.00 International T20 Cricket 1.20 News1.20mT Test Cricket 1.30 1.00 International T20 Cricket 1.30 News1.30mT Test Cricket 1.30

SKY SPORTS SPORT RAIL

6.00am EFL Cup Finch 8.00 SPFL. Old Firm Derby Best Goals 8.00 SPFL. Edinburgh Derby Best Goals 8.00 SPFL. Greatest Games 8.00 LFL. Greatest Games 10.00 Championship Season Review 11.00 SPFL. Greatest Games 11.30 LFL. Greatest Games 12.00noon EFL League One Goals 12.30 EFL League Two Goals 1.00 EFL Highlights 3.30 EFL League One Goals 4.00 EFL League Two Goals 4.30 EFL Highlights 6.30 Bundesliga Preview 7.30 EFL Highlights 7.45 EFL Highlights 8.00 EFL Highlights 8.15 EFL Highlights 8.30 EFL League One 12.00mT EFL 2.30 The Story of Frank Soo 3.00 SPFL Highlights 3.30 EFL Greatest Games 4.00 EFL Cup Highlights 5.00 Best Goals: EFL Cup 2.0/2.0 5.30-6.00am EFL Trophy Football

SKY SPORTS GOLF

6.00am Ladies European Tour Golf 10.00 US Women's Open Golf 3.15pm Hosts 3.45 My Icon 4.00 LPGA Tour Golf. The Standard Portland Classic. Action from day four. 6.00 PGA Tour Champions 7.00 PGA Tour. The Cut 7.30 HotelPlanner Tour Golf Highlights 8.00 Legends Tour Golf. Action from the European Pga Sierens Championship. 8.00 PGA Tour Golf 10.00 PGA Tour Champions 11.00 Ladies European Tour Golf 12.00mT PGA Tour. The Cut 12.30 HotelPlanner Tour Golf Highlights 1.00 PGA Tour Golf 2.00 Pretention in Paris 4.00 School of Golf 5.00-6.00am Golf Academy

TNT SPORTS 1

6.00am Motocross World Championship 9.00 LEFA Champions League 10.00 The Fantasy Show 10.30 The Grapetto 10.45 BHA Women's Cycling World Tour Stage one of the Lloyds Tour of Britain, a 155.9km route that starts and ends in Cockermouth. 3.45pm LNB Men's Cycling World Tour 7.00 Top of stage one of the Renew Tour, starting and finishing in the city of Died, Belgium. 4.45 Serie A 5.45 Original Documentary 6.00 TNT Sports Recked 6.30 Premier League Preview 7.30 BHA UEFA Champions League Celtic v LASK (kick-off 6.00pm). Coverage of the play-off round that key match, held at Celtic Park. 10.30 EFL Storms 11.00 CFL Highlights 11.30 BHA EFL Saint Lucia Kings v Guyana Amazon Warriors. Coverage of the 120 match at Dawn Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia. 3.45am Test Cricket Highlights. West Indies v Sri Lanka. 5.45-6.00am TNT Sports Cricket Recked

TNT SPORTS 2

1.30pm CFL Highlights 2.00 The Fantasy Show 2.30 BHA Men's Cycling World Tour Coverage of stage one of the Renew Tour, starting and finishing in the city of Died, Belgium. 4.45 Reframe the Game 5.00 Sign Up - Into Football 6.00 TNT. Trafford World Tour Highlights 6.30 FA Community Shield 7.50 BHA UEFA Champions League NEC Nijmegen v BodyCloth (kick-off 6.00pm). Coverage of the play-off round that key match. 10.00 The Fantasy Show. Insight and tips ahead of the 2020/21 season. 10.30 Men's Cycling World Tour 11.30 Men's Cycling Pro Series 12.30am Women's Cycling World Tour. Action from stage one. 1.30 UFC. The Ultimate Fighter 2.30 Discovery Golf 3.00 Men's Cycling World Tour 4.00 Men's Cycling Pro Series 5.00-6.00am Women's Cycling World Tour

Entertainment & Festival

ITV3 (Issue 18)

6.00am George and Mildred 7.00 Classic 2.00mT 8.00 Classic Coronation Street 9.10 Agatha Christie's Forest 11.30 Heartbeat 1.35pm Malsomer Murders 3.35 Classic Emmerdale 4.40 Classic Coronation Street 5.50 Heartbeat 8.00 Malsomer Murders 10.00 Grantchester 11.50 Trial & Retribution 1.55am George and Mildred 2.20-2.30am Unwind with ITV

ITV3 (Issue 18) (Issue 19)

6.00am Magnum, Pt 8.00 Robo of Sherwood 9.10 Victor 10.15 The Professionals 11.25 Robo of Sherwood 12.30pm Magnum, Pt 2.35 The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes 3.45 Doom 4.50 The Professionals 5.55 Hinder 7.00 The Motorbike Show 8.00 Cycling Women's Tour of Britain 9.00 BLM RoboCop 3 (1963-1) ★★ 11.00 All the Wrestling 1.05am Blendon 2.00-2.00am BattleBoots

ITV3 (Issue 19) (Issue 20)

8.00am Bangam Loving Brits in the Sun 10.00 Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords 11.00 Traffic Corps 2.00pm Police Interceptors 5.00 Car Pound Cops 6.00 Home and Away 7.00 Casualty 3/C1 Every Second Covent 8.00 GPs: Behind Closed Doors 8.00 BLM Transporter 2 (2020/13) ★★ 10.45 Special Forces: Most Daring Missions 11.45 Doom City 12.45am Cold Case Alters 1.45 Police Interceptors 3.25 Friends 3.45 4.00 Entertainment News

ITV3 (Issue 20) (Issue 21)

6.00am Fantasy: Hymns by the Sea 7.00 Crusade TV with Lovelidoc 8.00 Escape to the Country 9.00 Salvage Hunters: The Restorers 10.00 Salvage Hunters 12.00noon The Yorkshire Auction House 1.00 Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House 2.00 The Repa Shop 3.00 Salvage Hunters 5.00 Who Do You Think You Are? 6.00 The Repa Shop 7.00 The Yorkshire Auction House 8.00 Antiques Road Top 9.00 Lung Lost Family 10.00 Who Do You Think You Are? 11.00 Hard My House Is Haunted 2.00am Newshopping 4.00-6.00am Salvage Hunters

ITV3 (Issue 21) (Issue 22)

6.00am Trucking Hell 10.20 Police Interceptors 11.00 Guntrucks 12.20pm BLM Seven Men from Now (1966-1) ★★ 2.05 BLM Run for Cover (1965-1) ★★ 4.00 Highway Thru Hell 5.00 Motorway Cops: Catching Birkers Speeder 6.00 Police Interceptors 8.00 Motorway Cops: Catching Birkers Speeder 9.00 Police Interceptors 10.00 Police: Night Shift 999 11.00 The X-Files 12.00mT Worlds Deadliest Weather: Caught on Camera 1.00 Outback Truckers 2.00 Trucking Heavy 3.00-4.00am Entertainment News on 5

ITV3 (Issue 22) (Issue 23)

6.00am Classic FMLive v Great British Classics 8.00 Artist of the Year Masterclass 9.00 Tales of the Unexpected 10.00 Alfred Hitchcock Presents 11.00 Discovering: Gina Lollobrigida 12.00nam The Art of Film with Ian Nathan 1.00 Tales of the Unexpected 2.00 The Alfred Hitchcock Post 3.00 The Nineties 4.00 Discovering: Jack Nicholson 5.00 Portrait Artist of the Year 2023

6.00 Tales of the Unexpected 7.00 Alfred Hitchcock Presents 8.00 Voices of the Valleys 9.00 Battle of the Hill: Dancers, Preparations for the championing in Dublin. 10.00 The Lightest 11.00 The Art of Architecture: Great Museums of the World 12.00mT Inside Guggenheim 1.15 At Offence The Artiest 2.00 Lily and Lolly: The Forgotten Years Steam 4.00 My Week with Guerilla Girls 5.00-6.00am The Art of Film with Ian Nathan

ITV3 (Issue 23)

7.05am Don't Want to 7.45 Ever Decreasing Circles 8.20 Only Fools and Horses 9.00 The Green Green Grass 9.45 Are You Being Served? 10.20 Last of the Summer Wine 11.45 Ever Decreasing Circles 12.30pm Only Fools and Horses 1.00 Keeping Up Appearances 1.40 Daz's Army 2.20 The Green Green Grass 3.00 Are You Being Served? 3.40 Ever Decreasing Circles 4.20 Daz's Army 5.00 Last of the Summer Wine 6.20 Keeping Up Appearances 7.00 Only Fools and Horses 7.40 Daz's Army. Classic coming series. 8.20 Are You Being Served? 9.00 Pointige 9.40 The Office 10.20 Not Going Out 11.00 Mrs. Brown's Boys 11.40 Pointige 12.20am The Office 1.00 Not Going Out 1.40 Mrs. Brown's Boys 2.30 Don't Wait Up 2.55 Keeping Up Appearances 3.25-4.00am The Green Green Grass

ITV3 (Issue 23) (Issue 24)

6.10am Abandoned Engineering 8.00 Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics 10.00 Secret Nazi Bases 11.00 The World at War 12.00nam Antiques Roadshow 2.00 Bangers & Cash 4.00 Secret Nazi Bases 5.00 The World at War 6.00 Antiques Roadshow 7.00 The Blue Planet 8.00 Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime 9.00 Simon Reeves South America 10.00 Bangers & Cash 12.00mT Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics 1.00 Find It, Fix It, Flog It 2.00-3.00am Abandoned Engineering

UAA LBI

7.10am Murdoch Mysteries 9.00 Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators 10.00 The Mentalist 11.00 Hudson & Rex 12.00nam Body of Proof 1.00 Death in Paradise 2.00 Murdoch Mysteries 4.00 The Mentalist 5.00 Hudson & Rex 6.00 Body of Proof 7.00 Private Eyes 8.00 Booklet 9.10 Death in Paradise 10.10 Father Brown 11.10 Private Eyes 12.10am Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators 1.10 Death in Paradise 2.10-4.00am Murdoch Mysteries

SKY ONE

6.00am Mornings & 8.00 Mornings 7.00 Mornings with Ridge and Frost 7.30 Mornings with Ridge and Frost 8.00 Slangids SG-1 10.00 Will & Grace 11.00 The Simpsons 12.00noon Africa Hunters 1.00 Hawaii Five-O & 2.00 S.W.A.T 5.00 The Simpsons 6.00 Rob & Ronnell vs Fashion 7.00 The Simpsons 8.00 Surviving Earth 9.00 Never Mind the Ductoocks 10.30 The Turtis 11.25 Grimm 12.25am Evt 1.15 The Force: Manchester 2.10 Road Wars 3.00 Hawaii Five-O 4.00 Adams S.W.A.T

SKY ATLANTIC

6.00am Fish Town 8.00 Billions 10.15 House of the Dragon 12.30pm Hurricane: Life on the Street 2.30 Billions 4.40 Django 6.45 House of the Dragon 8.00 Alas. Crime drama series. 10.15 Station Eleven 12.20am House of the Dragon 2.40 Billions 4.20 Sort Of 5.05-6.00am The Guest Wing

SKY ATLANTIC

6.00am Bondi Rescue 7.00 Border Patrol 8.00 Sand in the Dogs 9.00 The Force: Manchester 10.00 Motorway Patrol 10.30 Caught Red Handed 12.00noon PS 2.00 The Rookie 3.00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent 4.00 Nothing to Decline 8.00 Caught on Darkcaps 9.00 The Country 10.00 PSS International 11.00 The Rookie 12.00mT Fifi 2.00 CV-3.00 PSS Most Wanted 4.00 Motorway Patrol 5.00-6.00am Border Security: Canada's Front Line

SKY COMEDY

6.00am Will & Grace 9.00 Sort Of 10.00 The Comeback 11.20 Will & Grace 12.20pm Based on a True Story 1.40 The Comeback 3.00 Will & Grace 4.00 The Reluctant Landlord 5.00 Coming on 6.00 Will & Grace 7.00 The Office 5.55 8.00 The Reluctant Landlord 9.00 Last Week Tonight with John Oliver 9.45 BLM Warm Bodies (2013/12) ★★★★ 11.40 Based on a True Story 12.15am The Office Movers 1.35 Community 2.35 The Comeback 3.55-5.00am Sort Of

DISCOVERY

6.00am How It's Made 7.00 The Aquarium 8.00 Gold Rush 11.00 Building Off the Grid 1.00pm Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet 3.00 How It's Made 5.00 Alaska: Home-based Rescue 7.00 Wheeler Dealers, Documentary series. 10.00 Mighty: Success 11.00 Expedition 3.12.00mT Deadliest Catch 2.00 Mighty: Truckers 3.00 Gold Divers 4.00-5.00am Moonshames: Master Distiller

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

6.00am Air Crash Investigators 10.00 Engineering by Catastrophe 11.00 Car S.G.S 12.00noon Ultimate Airport Dubai 1.00 Air Crash Investigators 2.00 Hfler's Last Stand 4.00 Lost Treasurer of Egypt 5.00 Destruction Decoded 6.00 Fares Post Changed History 7.00 Air Crash Investigation 8.00 Lost Treasurer of Ancient Greece 9.00 Lost Gold of the Dark Ages: Treasure Hoard 10.00 Mysteries of Ancient Medicine 11.00 Air Crash Investigation 12.00mT Amsterdam Central 24/7 1.00 Northwoods Survival 2.00 Losity of War 2.30 Money Meltdown 3.20 Food Factory 4.10-5.00am When Sharks Attack

Radio

BBC RADIO 1

97.6-99.8MHz 6.55am Newsbeat 7.00 Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James 11.00 Rickie, Melvin and Charlie 12.45pm Newsbeat 1.00 Matt and Jerry 3.30 Newsbeat 3.33 Going Home with Vick, Katie and Jamie on Radio 1.545 Newsbeat 6.00 Radio 1's New Music Show with Jack Saunders 8.00 Radio 1's Future Pop with Miss Beth 10.00 Radio 1's Power Down Playful with Sam Eeri 11.00 Bsnl 5 1.00am Radio 1 Dance Present 2.00 Radio 1 Anthems 4.00 Radio 1 Pop Anthems 5.00-6.55am Radio 1 Early Breakfast

BBC RADIO 2

56-91MHz 6.30am The Way to be Breakfast Show 9.30 Vernon Way 12.00noon Jeremy Jims 2.00 CU Groove 4.00 Jason Marment 7.00 From Nights on Radio 2 9.00 The Folk Show with Mark Hazelton 10.00 The Good Groove with Melvin Osborn 12.00mT CU Story 3.00 Alternative Sounds of the 90s 4.00-6.30am Owain Wyn Evans

BBC RADIO 3

10.2-92.4MHz 6.30am Breakfast 9.30 Essential Classics 1.00pm Classical Live 3.00 Choral EverLong 4.00 Compressor of the Week 5.00 In Tune 7.00 BBC Drama 2023 10.00 Night Teaks 11.20 Yisund Midhiro 12.30-6.30am Through the Night

BBC RADIO 4

FM 92.4-94.6MHz 6.00am Sotay 9.00 Sideways 9.30 Breakin: the Cycle 10.00 Woman's Hour 11.00 Saving Young Men

CHOICE

BBC Premier 2026

Radio 3, 7pm

Garnator/Junne Festival Opera, conducted by Robin Ticoati, perform Dimaolo's opera within an opera, Ariadne auf Naxos, at the Royal Albert Hall. During the interval, classical and author Emily Hauser joins presenter Andrew McGregor to explore the mythology behind Ariadne.

from Murder: The Homology Story 11.40 This Week in History 11.45 Block of the Week: The Fire in the Mountain: Salty, Elms and her People 12.00noon News 12.04 You and Yours 12.07 Weather 1.00 The World at One 1.45 Human Intelligence 2.00 The Archive 2.15 Drama: United Kingdoms 3.00 The Grand North Atlantic Home Video Archive 3.30 All Under One Magnetosphere 4.00 The Power of Guilt 4.15 The Media Show 5.00 PM 5.57 Weather 6.00 News 6.30 Best Medicine 7.00 The Archives 7.15 Front Time 8.00 The Moral Mass 9.00 Invisible Hearts 9.30 Michael Sheen Gets into Character 10.00 The World Tonight 10.45 Book at Bedtime: Mr Sidhula Post Office 11.00 Voice Missions: Week of Wellness 11.15 Follow the Rabbit 11.30 Poetry Phases 12.00mT News 12.30 Book of the Week: The Fire in the Mountain: Salty, Elms and her People 12.48 Shipping Forecast 1.00 As BBC World Service 5.00 News Summary 5.04 Sideways

5.32 Weather 5.34 Shipping Forecast 5.43 Prayer for the Day 5.45-6.00am Farming

BBC RADIO 5 LIVE

493/90MHz 6.00am 3 Live Breakfast 9.00 Rima Ahmed 11.00 Holly Hamilton 2.00pm Marzena Spring 4.00 5 Live Drive 7.00 5 Live Sport 7.30 5 Live Sport 9.00 5 Live Sport 10.30 Class Alert 1.05am Dicky: Adebayo 5.05-6.00am Wake Up to Money

BBC RADIO WALES

FM 94.4MHz 6.00am Radio Wales News Update 6.05 Wake Up with Radio Wales 6.31 Science Cafe 7.00 Radio Wales Breakfast 9.00 Borowien Lewis 12.00noon The Phone In 2.00 Disroval: Airtage 5.00 Radio Wales Drive 6.30 Country Focus 7.00 Country with Borowien Lewis 10.00 Elen Elen 12.00mT Relax with Radio Wales 1.00-6.00am As Radio 5 Live

CLASSIC FM

100-102MHz 6.30am Classic FM Breakfast 9.00 The Classic FM Hall of Fame Hour with Tim Lichoreau 10.00 And Jones 1.00pm Anne-Marie Minnel 4.00 Margrethe Taylor 7.00 Relaxing Evening with John Brunning 9.00 Classic FM's Composer: Carousel with John Brunning 10.00 Cairn Classics 1.00am Bill Overton 4.00-6.30am Early Breakfast

ABSOLUTE RADIO

DAB 6.00am Dave Berry 10.00 Claire Burgess 1.00pm Ben BLAref 4.00 Bush & Richie 7.00 Danielle Perry 10.00 Jay Lawrence 1.00-6.00am Dan Noble

Movies

FILM4

11.00am Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019/15) Live action family adventure, with Isabela Merced and Eva Longoria. ★★ 1.00pm Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959/15) So it adventure, starring Pat Brome and James Mason. ★★★ 3.55 Von Ryan's Express (1965/76) Second World War action adventure, starring Frank Steats and Trevor Howard. ★★★ 6.25 Moonfall (2022/12) So it trailer, starring Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson. ★★★ 9.00 Fury (2014/15) An American tank crew undertakes a final dangerous mission behind enemy lines in the last month of the Second World War. Drama, starring Brad Pitt. ★★★ 11.40-2.50am The Beast (2023/15) Prerives: So it drama, starring Lisa Seydour. ★★★

SKY CINEMA PREMIERE

6.45am Signal One (2024/15) See 4.15pm. ★★★ 9.20 Song Sing Blue (2025/12) See 5.45pm. ★★★★ 10.30 Tom And Jerry Forbidden Compass (2025/PS) Animated adventure, featuring the voice of Eric Dussus and Ben Dakin. ★ 12.20pm Harvest (2025/12) See 8.55pm. ★★★★ 2.35 Normal (2026/15) See 12.15am. ★★★★ 4.15 Signal One (2026/15) So it trailer, starring Isabelle Fuhrman and Dennis Quick. ★★★ 5.45 Song Song Blue (2025/12) Drama, with Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. ★★★★ 6.00 Harvest (2025/12) French drama, starring Paul Menzel and Jessie Buckley. ★★★★ 10.15 Mental Kombat 8 (2026/15) Primary adventure, starring Karl Urban. ★★★ 12.15am Normal (2026/15) Action comedy, starring Bob Gideok. ★★★★ 2.00 Prerues (2025/16) Home, starring Johnny Doughnough and Jessica Alexander. ★★★ 3.45 Love Me (2026/15) Drama, starring Steven Neun and Kristen Stewart. ★★★★ 5.20-7.05am Lurker (2025/15) Crime drama, starring Theodore Pellens. ★★★

SKY CINEMA DRAMA

4.15pm The Old (1965/PS) Western, starring an Oscar-winning John Wayne. ★★★★ 6.20 Stand By Me (1966/76) Drama, starring Rive Phoenix and Will Wheaton. ★★★★ 8.00 Bohemian Rhapsody (2018/15) White Biscuit, starring Ram Malek. ★★★★ 10.15 Harvest (2025/12) Drama, starring Paul Menzel and Jessie Buckley. ★★★★ 12.25am A Star Is Born (2018/15) Drama, with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. ★★★★ 2.00 The Illusionist (2026/PS) Thriller, starring Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti. ★★★★ 4.45-6.00am Six Minutes to Midnight (2020/12) Drama, with Judi Dench. ★★★

SKY CINEMA FAMILY

6.00pm Minutations: Adwriter (2021/12) Supernatural comedy sequel, starring Paul Rudd and Cameo Coen. ★★★★ 8.05 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2022/12) Fantasy adventure sequel, starring Elijah Wood and Wiggo Mortensen. ★★★★ 11.05 Note 1 (1981/12) Peter Pan adventure, with Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman. ★★★ 1.30am Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014/12) Fantasy adventure, starring Megan Fox and William R控制. ★★★ 3.15 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016/12) Action adventure sequel, starring Megan Fox and Will Arnett. ★★★ 5.10 Sky Cinema Preview - August 2026 5.55-7.35am Jackie Chan's The Tuxedo (2022/12) Comedy adventure, starring Jackie Chan and Jennifer Love Hewitt. ★★★

TALKING PICTURES TV

4.30pm The End of the Affair (1965/PS) Drama, starring Deborah Kerr. ★★★★ 6.30 Give Me a Clue Ahead Parkinson hosts. ★★★★ 7.00 Out of Town With Jack Hargreaves. ★★★★ 7.35 Genevieve (1963/12) Comedy, starring Dinah Sheridan and John Gregson. ★★★★ 9.20 The Story of Robin Conklin (1967/PS) Drama, starring Joan Crawford. ★★★ 11.25 Open Fire (1984/12) Fact-based crime drama, starring Rupert Graves. ★★★★ 1.30am The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler (1971/PS) So it drama, starring Leslie Nelson and Bradford Dimon. ★★★ 4.00 Stagecoach West Western. ★★★ 5.00-6.00am The Miss from UNCLE Drama.

GREAT MYSTERY

5.00pm Murder, She Wrote Drama series. 7.00 Castle American crime drama & 8.00 Unforgettable Puppy Montgomery stars. 9.00 In Plain Right Mary McCormick stars. 10.00 Morning Show Mysteries: Countdown to Murder (2019/15) Mystery drama, starring Holly Robinson Pesto and Rick Fox. ★★★ 11.30pm Aurora Daughters Mysteries: To Death Do Us Part (2021/PS) Mystery, starring Clarence Cameron Dunn. ★★★ 1.50am The Daughter Stalker (2020/PS) Thriller, starring Katerin Moore. ★★★ 3.25-6.00am Forgotten Abduction (2020) Thriller, starring Heather McComb. ★★★

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26 Email expressletters@express.co.uk

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Letters Edited by GREG MORGAN

The Daily Express, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP Email: expressletters@express.co.uk (include your full name, address and telephone number)

facebook.com /dailyexpress twitter: @daily_express

Harry and Meghan dragged royals through the dirt

MUCH as I enjoy JJ Anisiobi every Monday, I cannot agree with this week's column regarding Prince Harry and Meghan's estrangement from our Royal Family.

All families fall out occasionally but you do not trash your family in public to gain attention and you most certainly do not do it for money, which is exactly what they did and that is unforgivable.

Sadly, it means that our King misses out on seeing his grandchildren but hopefully that may change in the future as they grow older.

Rita Rundle, Leighton Buzzard, Beds

Sussexes made their beds and set all bridges ablaze

AFTER a long defence of Harry and Meghan, JJ Anisiobi imagines what a difference it would have made if the royals had found a way to make it work. Instead of a united family, we have ended up with interviews, court cases, estranged brothers, books and bitterness.

Surely all that emanated from Harry and Meghan, not the Royal Family. Trust has died. It is too soon to forget the sadness Harry caused the Queen in her final months despite her unfailing support.

Christine Kershaw, Minehead, Somerset

Couple betrayed country and our beloved Queen

I STRONGLY disagree with JJ Anisiobi's piece on Harry and Meghan. They were welcomed with open arms by the public, who were pleased to see Harry settled. But they betrayed the country, the late Queen and the Royal Family in the most appalling way.

It now looks as if Harry wants a way back, but the majority of Brits say "no way". You made your bed, now lie in it.

Carol Charlton, Yateley, Hants

JJ's right, we've allowed our standards to tumble

I SECOND JJ Anisiobi's views on standards slipping. People just don't seem to care any more. Growing up, doorsteps were scrubbed and people took pride in themselves ("Crying shame that standards changed", August 17).

We had a clip across the ear if we misbehaved and the cane at school. Our parents worked hard and taught us true values. Discipline played a big part in life, but unfortunately it no longer exists.

Well said, Mr Anisiobi. I am with you totally.

Annette Hale, Aldridge, W Mads

Foreigners jump the queue ahead of UK pensioners

FOREIGNERS, including those with EU settled status, are receiving benefits galore - some likely receiving more than UK-born citizens. One glaring example is Pension Credit ("Benefits ban for foreign nationals under Reform", August 17). These people have paid

LETTER OF THE DAY

Harry and Meghan shunning the limelight in Australia

Give Markles privacy and ignore them

I CANNOT agree with JJ Anisiobi about the Markles ("This right royal mess is a loss for every Briton", August 17).

When their romance started, the public were over the moon. Unfortunately, Meghan had no idea how the royal hierarchy worked and expected to be at the front of every queue. Realising she was fifth, she wanted to be part-time. Thankfully, the Queen said no.

They threw their toys out of the pram and moved away. Their only currency since has been telling "their truth", burning all bridges.

Harry demands privacy, yet they are never out of the media spotlight. If it is privacy they want, give it to them and see where their lucrative deal comes from.

John Gray, Leeds

little, if anything, into our system. Yet they will receive more than a basic pensioner who has worked all their life and does not qualify for "add-ons".

Our citizens must come first. Payments to foreigners need sorting out immediately.

Anne Jones, Stalybridge, Cheshire

HMS Vanguard is a Brit special with 205 sea days

I BEG to differ on an item in Defending The Nation (August 17), which states that the USS Abraham Lincoln set a record of 200 continuous days at sea.

Earlier this year, HMS Vanguard completed a deployment of 205 days, mostly while submerged.

Stuart Sutherland, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex

Back Ukraine to the hilt in their fight with Putin

THE free world must do more to assist Ukraine against an aggressive Russia ("Moscow 'Amazon' struck in huge Ukraine attack", August 17). Vladimir Putin is constantly testing Western reactions with stray rockets, drones and warning shots over yachts.

Now that Ukraine has humiliated Russia on the battlefield, it is time

to give them everything they need to drive the invaders home.

Bill Tait, Leigh, Lancs

Absence levels a sick joke at cushy local councils

THE Taxpayers' Alliance has revealed absurd levels of sickness absence in UK local councils. While private-sector workers average four sick days a year, council staff take 10. Glasgow Council clocked up an astonishing 1.32 million sick days in three years, the highest in the UK.

This absence costs taxpayers around £667 million annually. Reducing this to private-sector levels would save £400m, but this will never happen while sick leave is treated as a right and backed by unions.

Clark Cross, Linlithgow, W Lothian

Build more reservoirs and desalination plants now

SCIENTISTS warn us that our weather will continue to worsen, leading to heatwaves, bushfires and water shortages.

Now is the time to pass legislation to rapidly build a dozen or more reservoirs, force water companies to fix leaks and build

coastal desalination plants. We face a nightmare scenario, yet nobody has confidence in this government to prepare for it.

Proper water infrastructure is far more important than 99.9% of the socialist policies currently on the drawing board ("Wasteful, polluting water plants must be held accountable", August 17).

Phil Codd, Manchester

Turn off the tap for huge fatcat water chief wages

AS WE are in drought restriction areas along with millions of others, surely a good idea is to stop paying extortionate bonuses and overinflated salaries to the bosses.

This money could go towards building desalination plants instead. After all, we are an island and have water all around us ("Heatwave-hit regions face more water bans", August 18).

Grace Knight, Axminster, Devon

Sing when you're winning with a way shorter shower

A SIMPLE solution to help save water while one showers during hot spells, sing shorter songs.

Tom Gilsenan, Dublin, Ireland

THESE BOOTIES WERE MADE FOR WALKING... THEN FLYING

WHAT an uplifting story and picture in the Daily Express about a bird hit by a car getting back on its feet thanks to tiny sandals made by the medics there ("The perfect tweet-ment ...healing pads save bird", August 17).

The little whitethroat was taken to Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital in Kilworth with curled feet due to nerve or ligament damage. Medics at the

wildlife hospital made him simple, effective sandals out of cardboard, cotton wool and surgical tape.

Thanks to their care, he is making good progress and will be released into the wild once recovered.

This story is another wonderful example of the caring British public.

Julie Foster, Burnley, Lancs

TODAY: Wednesday

August 19, 2026

ON THIS DAY

34 years ago (1992) We revealed that Britain had pledged to send 1,800 more troops and support staff to protect UN medicine and food convoys, as up to two million people faced starvation in war-torn Bosnia. The humanitarian crisis in the Serbian detention camps shocked the world and led to comparisons with the concentration camps of the Second World War. We said the situation demanded that Britain play a bigger role in the relief effort.

66 years ago (1960) US pilot Gary Powers was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Russian military court after his U-2 spy plane was shot down 850 miles east of Moscow. Powers told the court he believed his plane was flying beyond the reach of anti-aircraft guns. He was released less than two years later as part of a spy exchange.

81 years ago (1945) In the aftermath of war in the Far East, the Viet Minh, a communist organisation led by Ho Chi Minh, seized power in Hanoi, Vietnam in the August Revolution. It triggered a sequence of events that ultimately led to the US becoming involved in the Vietnam War.

BIRTHDAYS

Former US President Bill Clinton is 80. He's an accomplished saxophonist. Queen's original bassist John Deacon is 75. He joined his first band aged 14. Actress Kyra Sedgwick is 61. She's married to Kevin Bacon. Star Trek: TNG star Jonathan Frakes is 74. He once worked for Marvel Comics.

TODAY'S GIGGLE I used to run a dating service for chickens but I struggled to make hens meet.

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LOVE, LOSS AND MY LIFE ON TOWIE

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FOR LAROSE, LORENA AND ALL THE MUMS

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express.co.uk/horoscope

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RUSSELL GRANT

ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 20 You're full of ideas and ready to express yourself, but don't assume everyone is automatically on the same page. A crossed wire could easily turn into a bigger issue if you rush or react. Slow down and say things properly. Relationships benefit from clarity, not speed. Channel your energy into something creative, it will steady your mood.

For more call 0905 789 4171

(http://min • network access charge)

GEMINI MAY 22-JUNE 21 Your mind is racing, and while that's usually your strength, today it needs a bit of discipline. Too many distractions could scatter your energy if you're not careful. Conversations are lively, especially with friends, but focus on what matters. A clearer sense of your direction is emerging, pay attention. What you realise now could shape your next move in a big way.

For more call 0905 789 4173

LEO JULY 24-AUG 23 You're feeling everything more intensely, and that's not a bad thing. It's showing you where adjustments are needed, especially between your personal life and bigger ambitions. Conversations may feel charged, but they're also revealing. Don't avoid them. If you're honest about what you want, you'll come away with stronger connections.

For more call 0905 789 4175

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23-DEC 21 You're in a reflective mood, whether you like it or not. Communication may feel slightly off, so don't assume people understand what you mean. Creativity and connection with friends can help balance things out. In romance, patience is key. Not everything needs to be solved instantly. Give situations space to breathe and answers will come more naturally.

For more call 0905 789 4179

TAURUS APRIL 21-MAY 21 Feelings are running a bit deeper than usual, especially around home and close relationships. You might sense tension in conversations, so listen more carefully than you speak. Creating a calm environment will help everyone, including you. Meanwhile, a surprising idea about work or long-term plans could surface. Don't dismiss it.

For more call 0905 789 4172

CANCER JUNE 22-JULY 23 There's a creative energy around you, but communication needs care. If you're not clear about your values, misunderstandings can creep in. Speak honestly, but gently. Career thoughts may also surface, trust your instincts if something feels like the right next step. What you do now can set the tone for future success, so don't ignore those inner nudges.

For more call 0905 789 4174

VIRGO AUG 24-SEPT 23 There's a lot going on beneath the surface and you'd be wise to pause rather than push ahead blindly. Your thoughts are sharp, but your intuition is sharper. A meaningful conversation could shift your perspective on a relationship or work matter. Don't rush to conclusions. Clarity comes when you allow things to unfold instead of forcing answers.

For more call 0905 789 4176

CAPRICORN DEC 22-JAN 20 There's a push and pull between your ambitions and emotions. Misunderstandings could arise if you're not clear, especially in friendships or work connections. Take time to reflect on what you want, not just what's expected of you. There's insight hidden in today's tensions. Use it to strengthen both your plans and your relationships.

For more call 0905 789 4180

LIBRA SEPT 24-OCT 23 Your social world and your personal values are crossing paths in an interesting way. A conversation or idea could make you rethink what really matters to you. If emotions feel tangled, take a step back and sort them calmly. There's a creative solution here, but you won't find it by avoiding the issue. Trust yourself, you know more than you think you do.

For more call 0905 789 4177

AQUARIUS JAN 21-FEB 19 Relationships and responsibilities are both demanding your focus and balancing them isn't straightforward. Conversations may challenge your perspective, but that's not a bad thing. Stay open. A creative breakthrough is possible if you don't shut down emotionally. Your instincts are helping you see what needs to shift in your personal life and ambitions.

For more call 0905 789 4181

SCORPIO OCT 24-NOV 22 There's a strong mix of ambition and emotion driving you today. Work matters may demand attention, but don't ignore what's happening on a personal level. Honest conversations are essential, even if they feel uncomfortable. This is about aligning your outer goals with your inner truth, not choosing one over the other.

For more call 0905 789 4178

PISCES FEB 20-MARCH 20 There's a sense of clarity trying to come through, even if the day feels unsettled. Work and personal goals need to align more closely, and you're starting to see how. If misunderstandings arise, deal with them directly. Relationships offer a chance for deeper understanding. Trust your intuition, it is guiding you toward healthier choices.

For more call 0905 789 4182

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NUTWOOD TALES

RUPERT AND THE ANGRY SEA No.22

Rupert stops suddenly and blinks, For by the phone stands Jonty Jinks!

Cocklestands post office has the only telephone in the village. When Rupert arrives at the post office he sees that someone's using it - Jonty Jinks! He is just in time to hear Jinks say, "Right then, you'll collect it tonight," before he hangs up. "He'll be coming out in a moment," thinks Rupert and looks around for a place to hide. As Jinks goes to pay, Rupert hears the postmistress say, "That was a Milchester number you rang, so it only counts as a local call."

"See you tonight!" he hears him say As Jinks hangs up and goes to pay.

CAVON AND ROBBIS BELOW EYES

DAILY HOPE AND SUE BELOW

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WALL STREET	53343.5	▼ 110.2
TOKYO	67460.7	▼ 17593
HONG KONG	25471.2	▲ +17.9
GERMANY	26128.4	▼ -210.2
FRANCE	8509.4	▼ -70.2
STERLING VALUE
Dollar	1354	▼ -0.001
Yen	216153	▲ -0.483
Euro	1169	▼ -0.001

DOLLAR VALUE
Dollar/Yen	159.617	▲ +0.394
Dollar/Euro	0.863	▼ -0.001
COMMODITIES
GOLD(S)	▼ 4364.60
KRUGERBAND(G&P)	▼ 1224.96
DUFF(pence)	▼ 4720.46
BRENT CRUDES(S)	▲ 91.61

OTHER INDICATORS
Base rate	3.75%
Halifax mortgage rate	7.24%
Retail Price Index	+3.0% (CR +2.6%)
House price Index	+2.7%
Unemployment	1,760,000

TOURIST'S POUND

Australia	1.86 dollar
Canada	1.83 dollar
China	8.56 mm/mb
Czech Rep.	26.57 km/mb
Denmark	8.30 km/mb
Eurozone	1.15 mm
Hong Kong	9.97 dollar
Hungary	399.63 fl/air
Israel	3.78 chel
Japan	207.41 yen
Jordan	0.89 dinar
Mexico	21.83 pmo
New Zealand	2.24 dollar
Norway	12.30 km/m
Poland	12.30 disty
Saudi Arabia	4.84 ryal
South Africa	21.12 rand
Sweden	12.29 km/m
Switzerland	1.06 franc
Thailand	43.04 baht
Turkey	60.28 lira
United States	1.33 dollar

Industry pleads for Budget breaks to increase growth

THE boss of Britain's largest industry body has begged government to cut burdens for businesses in the Budget.

Calculations by British Chambers of Commerce suggest that policies on the living wage, pension auto-enrolment and employment taxes have led costs for mid-sized businesses to rise by more than 75% in a decade.

BCC director general Shevann Haviland said: "We need policymakers to stop adding to the cost stack and start taking layers away.

"October's Budget will be a pivotal moment and our message is simple – back business, cut costs and deliver growth." Firms are ramping up their lobbying efforts before a difficult Budget for Chancellor John Healey.

He will be charged with easing cost-of-living pressures for households, implementing devolution reforms and sticking by his own demand to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030.

Spending pledges made by Andy Burnham have raised concerns among industry chiefs and City investors that the government could raise taxes again.

The consultancy Capital Economics estimated that around £25billion could

BY MAURICIO ALENCAR

be raised in additional government revenue later this year. Speculation around bank taxes and capital reliefs has put firm owners on edge.

However separate research has suggested firms have become optimistic about AI prospects.

A survey by Lloyds Bank found that more than half of businesses said AI had created new jobs.

Of around 58% of businesses saying they would increase investment in AI to upskill their workforce, about 42% said they would spend between £25,000 and £125,000 this year.

And 26% of those boosting spending in that area said they would put in between £100,000 and £250,000.

Chief secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds said: "We are giving businesses breathing space.

"We have given pubs, social clubs and live music venues a 20% rate cut, saving thousands of locals over £1,000 a year.

"This is on top of our Great British Summer Savings, which is increasing footfall for businesses and getting more people through the door this summer."

NEW POUND AND OWNER COULD SELL UP

Discount chain has struggled to bounce back after being sold for E1

THE owner of Poundland is weighing up a sale of the discount retailer only one year after snapping it up for just £1.

Gordon Brothers, a Boston-based investment firm, is in talks with advisers over launching a potential auction for the retailer – which is in the middle of a big restructuring. The sale would extend a choppy

few years for Poundland, in which the discount retailer has strayed from its famous E1 prices and performed poorly in a difficult retail environment.

It is unclear why Gordon Brothers is laying groundwork for a sale. In August last year the High Court approved a restructuring plan resulting in the closure of up to 200 stores.

Frasers Group's Mike Ashley

Ashley's designs on Boss clear as he controls 48%

FRASERS Group has pushed up its stake in Hugo Boss to nearly half of the company, though Mike Ashley's group misses out on full control of the luxury fashion brand.

The Sports Direct owner has increased its portion of the German fashion house to nearly 48% after

offering €38 for every share in the outfit it does not already own.

Yesterday Frasers confirmed it has bought 12,157,598 Boss shares from investors who agreed to sell up. That accounts for more than 17% of the firm.

In all, its stake is now worth more than €1 billion as it pushes for more con-

trol. Ashley's buy-up comes as his fashion empire expands into the luxury sector. Last week, it bought struggling department store chain Harvey Nichols out of administration for £40million.

The firm has fallen far from its 1990s, heyday when its stores were lauded in sitcom. Absolutely Fabulous.

++ THE FTSE 100 THE FTSE 100 THE FTSE 100 ++

COMPANY	CLOSE	52 WEEK
		+/- HIGH	LOW
St Group	2802	+14	4485%
A & Foods	2016	+13	2558%
Aberdeen Group	2431	-1%	265
Admiral Group	3094	+16	4008
Avion Misc.	5261	-1	4381%
Alliance Milan	1169	-7	1394
Anglo American	3651	-97	4239
Amellogota	3555	-61	4474%
Ards/Drama	11606	+248	15729%
Auto Trader	5271	+1%	831
Avion	757	+7	7361%
BAE Systems	2225	-11	2594%
BP	5331	+14	4094%
BT Group	2011	+3%	242
Baltimore International	11381	+38%	1527
Barclays	5031	-11%	5381%
Borrel Redraw	3141	-7%	4074%
Bradley Group	12441	-1%	1338
British Amer. Tob.	4147	+6	5388
British Land	4251	-6	4071%
Burst	2774	+22	2884
Burberry Group	10741	+28%	12361%
Cambra	1561	+2%	1229%
Coca-Cola Europac	7920	+115	7000
Coca-Cola MBC	4548	+8	5195
Compass Group	311	-1%	35
Compass/Inter	5025	+25	5090
Compass Group	224	+2	2591%
Croda International	3107	-53	3352
DC	6350	-10	6740
Diego	1688	-15%	2141%
Diploma	7150	-205	7760
Embassy Mining	4008	-97	5480
Enten	550	-4%	9151%
Equinox Group	2875	+76	3984%
F&C Inv. Tr.	3391	-3%	3391
Foenellis	2801	-69	4430%
Galaxy Holdings	16752	-10	22559
Glass/SmithKline	1888	+36%	2281%

COMPANY	CLOSE	52 WEEK
		+/- HIGH	LOW
Glencoe	5511	-2%	7071%
HSBC Holdings	15141	-16%	1610
Hallam	9551	+5%	416
Halms	3570	-132	4901%
Hecox	1400	+1	1900%
Houston Joyner	795	-3	900%
ICC (Ameri-Cap)	1983	-31	2339
IG Group	1385	+11	1955%
IM	3050	-34	3166
Imperial Brands	2572	+4	3631
Informa	8941	-8%	9091%
InterContinental Intl.	1591	-1	1751%
Intertek Group	5850	-5	5855
IM/Consolidated Airlines	425	-11%	491
Investor	466	+2%	490
JD Sports	911	+1%	1061%
Kingfisher	5211	-1%	5321
Land Securities	686	-1%	726
Legal & General	301	-1	318
John Finance Group	12910	-410	13620
Liquid Banking Corp.	1121	-2	118
London & Stamford Prop.	1891	-1%	2161%

COMPANY	CLOSE	52 WEEK
		+/- HIGH	LOW
London Stock Ex.	8506	+28	10139%
MBG	3541	-1%	3601
Marks & Spencer	3691	+8	4181%
Markus	4071	-5%	4911
Market Energy	48	-1%	52
NatWest Group	4901	-15%	726
National Grid	1211	+21%	1428%
Next	14885	-60	16175
Pearson	11071	-9%	1337
Paradise Square Hold.	3918	-26	10094%
Parametron	11561	-10%	15511%
Price Capital Tech.	657	-29	7431%
Prudential	1025	+1	1237%
REX	2140	+70	3633
Reckitt Benckner	4990	-36	6517%
Rentals/United	5451	-1%	507
Rio Tinto	7119	-7	9114%
Rolls-Royce Group	15371	-26	1586
SEBRO	4971	+5%	5971%
Sage Group	2427	+27	2767
Sage Group	1063	+15%	1180%
Sainsbury (J)	3301	-1%	3801%
Schroder	5831	-1	5991%
Scottish Mortgage	14291	-21	1563
Swann Point	3092	+52	3334%
Shell	3388	+58%	3758
Smith & Nephew	11101	+22%	14411%
Smiths Group	2611	-27	2754%
Spree-Swiss	7010	-10	8048%
St James's Place	1165	-14	1575%
Standard Chartered	2201	-34	2277%
Standard Life	914	-1	1481%
Texas	448	-1%	1191%
Triton Big Box	1561	-1	1751
Unilever	4570	+45%	5645%
United Utilities	1415	+27	1696%
Valuable Group	1190	-1	1510
War Group	2506	-86	3374%
Whitbread	2466	+29	3300%

Big wealth firms dominate market

THE 10 largest wealth firms in the UK have expanded their grip on the market to serve almost the entirety of the country's client base.

They had an 89% share in the 2024/25 tax year, according to the latest wealth management survey from the Financial Conduct Authority.

This is up from 74% in 2023/24, as smaller firms are swallowed up and the push to dominate more of the market is unlikely to slow down.

Over 40% of wealth management outfits confirmed they planned to acquire another firm, grow revenue or increase their client base by more than 25% in the next two years.

But the FCA warned: "If fast growth of these businesses is not managed effectively, it may create poor outcomes." Major wealth firms include St. James's Place, Quilter and Rathbones.

---

46

EXIST

• BG + Barclays + BT + Centrica + Dixons Carphone + First Group + HSBC + Kingfisher + Marks & Spencer + Next + Prudential + Rolls-Royce + Sainsbury + Tesco + Unilever + Vodafone + Whitehead + WPP

COMPANY	CLOSE	+/-	INDEX	INDEX
Newspaper & Defence
Avon Rubber	19104	+2	2145	1520
Balconch International	1158104	(85)	1582	921
B&T Systems	2225	+1	2330	1608%
Chemistry Group	4584	+4	640	460
David's Group	5504	+7	5715	466
Rolls-Royce Group	1327104	(4)	1570%	1026
Genair	2835	+1	311	504%
Alternative Energy
Ferrar	8704	+2	560	690
Banks
Barclays	8301	+1%	5305	3576
Bio-International	1368	+4	110	680
Chow Brothers	4245	+7	535	340
HSBC Holdings	1514104	(45)	1597%	940
Investor	845	+2%	879%	518
Liquids Banking Grp.	11294	+2	117	78%
Molco Bank	1745	(9)	1805%	193
Nablikon Group	8959	+3%	7229	3555%
Paragon Group	823	+7	8205	7175
Standard Chartered	2201	+4	2248	1340
Beverages
Ban HSG	855	+4	718	782
Coca-Cola HBC	4540	+4	5175	3386
Chayes	1488	+5%	2121	1362%
Chemicals
Cocals	38	(4)	80	34%
Cocals International	3167	+3	3322	2460
Demands	1791	+6	188	142%
Johnson Matthey	2369	+4	2628	1775
Spinkman	88	+1	122	17%
Victims	821	+4	822	539
Construction & Materials
Balfour Realty	6525	+3	6245	567
Costair Group	2275	+1	236	126%
Daidight	560	+14	560	187
Gallblind Trp.	620	+4	628	412%
Glennan M&S	270	+4	427	221
Keller Group	2472	+2	3456	1282
Key Group	2595	+5%	2619	1999
Marblells	162	+5%	1915	1259
Morgan Smell	4460	+8	5150	4050
Sweetfield Rowan	375		39	24
Smart US & Co.	1125		1525	197
Electricity
Dior Group	7575	+8%	918	628%
ISE	2427	+2	2757%	1912
Telecom Plus	8724	+4	1892	710
Electronics & Electrical Equipment
Haltra	2570	+32	4678	3218
Oxford Instruments	2802	+8	3382	1766
Reckman	5155	+60	5450	2875
ITD Industries	155	+2	154	94
Alme	5279	+25	696	332
HP Power	1806	+6	2010	857
Equity Investment Instruments
Aberdeen Asset Grid	444	+7	441	345
Aberdeen Sedi Co.	1752	+8	1766	1458
Allison Tech & Gen. VCT	655		686	64
Allison Trust	1369	+7	1380	1188
Aurora Inc. Ltd.	255	+5	276	226
Alli Global Tel.	262	+2	276	204%
Balbo-Offices Japan	1348	+2	1360	830
Balbo-Offices UK & Nip.	1675	+5%	1725	1235
Bankers Inc. Ltd.	1591	+2%	1545	1225
BP-Warco GNP	427	+1	444	398%
Bellech Growth Trust	1759	+4	1738	886
BlackRock Mining	855	+7	1046	555
Brunner Inc. Ltd.	1540	+5	1584	1354
Caledonia Inc.	395	+4	400	312
City Natural Res. Ptd.	4654	+3	440	218%
City Off. London	3878		597	488
Danville Income	2158	+2	535	280
Edin Wexels Inc.	2595	+4%	2595	188
Edin Inc. Ltd.	845	+2	881	780
FBC Supplies	355		372	320
FBC Inc. Ltd.	3595	+3%	3519	289

COMPANY	CLOSE	+/-	INDEX	INDEX
FBC Smaller Cos.	1441	+1%	1686	1635%
FBC US Smaller Companies	1410	+22%	1665	1280
Fidelity Asian	614	+4	668	558
Fidelity European	4385	+2%	444	372
Fidelity Special	471	+5%	475	372
Findbury Goldblin	810	+3	915	710
Genesis S.M.F.	1400	+8	1562	846
Graphite Ent	1472	+12	1600	1310
Harva Tel W.	3264	+8	335	246
Harva Tel Plc	3424	+2	246	255
Henderson Far Est.	2014	+5%	2835	2285
Henderson High Inc.	207		210	176
Houlds Inc. Ltd.	2995	+9%	3200	2380
Hill Capital Tel.	425	+5%	509	324
HSBC Infrastructure	1375	+5%	1595	189
Hopea Des Mkt	485	+5%	4735	3915
Inchleisch Tel.	1183	+2%	1205	658
International Public	1304	+1	1445	1175
Invesco Asia	482	+10%	516	375
Invesco Pepsi VA	3951	+2%	400	325
IPM American	1228	+8	1224	1006
IPM Asian	5744	+6	650	3985
IPM Greenhouse	1864	+3%	984	796
IPM Energy Mkt	165	+5%	1805	1195
IPM Gen. Sml Co.	828	+6	695	557
IPM Global Emerging	255	+6	217	149
IPM Urban	3774	+2	1086	860
IPM Japanese	825	+2	851	661
IPM Overseas IT	625	+6	6385	555
IPM Pacific Co.	3441	+5%	358	280
IPM US Sml Co.	4485	+3%	460	369
IZ Capital Partners	175		199	166
Laus Dohestam	1342	+8	1276	982
Lausland Invest Co.	187	+5%	1695	1605
Mapoke Inc.	2351	+1%	337	230
Manchester Basin	874	+5%	1190	744
Massive Income And Growth VCT	3214		335	315
Mercantile Inc. Tel.	285	+2	288	257
Merchants Tel.	6744		685	537
Mobillycol Inc.	780	+2	798	686
Modela Inc. Tel.	1610	+3%	1650	1374
Montanism Euro Tel.	1754	+5%	1188	1465
Montanism UK	1535	+5%	1112	876
Munsp Inc. Tel.	1889	+2	1024	871
Munsp Int. Tel.	366	+2	371	265
New India	724		820	632
Nordic All Sml. Tel.	425	+5	432	330
Pacific Assets	426	+1	454	347
Pacific Invoices	1880	+6%	1252	661
Pantheon Int.	368	+7	4675	2325
Peatling Square Hold.	3938	+2%	5090	3342
Polac Cap Tech.	657	+24	7325	3885
HP Capital Partners	2985	+8%	2948	1942
Pallier Investment	299		3135	2855
Schneider Asia	817	+24	888	688
Schneider Inc.	899	+3	575	310
Schneider Japan	385	+5%	397	277
Schroders	2224		231	184
Schneider UK M&S	772	+5	782	665
Scottish American	3554	+1	575	487
Scottish Mortgage	14295	+2%	1540	10285
Small Comp Div Tel.	146	+4	1475	139
Sample Bar	4255	+5%	429	355
Templeton Energ	514	+8%	350	1979
The European Inv. Tel.	1271	+5%	1527	929
TR Euro Growth	2374	+2%	2445	188
TR Prog IT	355	+3	355	280
Wexels Healthcare	3985	+6%	397	324
Financial Services
G Group	2802	+14	4450	2080
G Infrastructure	3825	+5%	3935	326
Wards	2451	+5%	2615	182
Johnson Group	2225	+6%	2665	1555
Coats Group	826	+5%	95	745
G Group	1585	+11	1608	1025
Intermediate Cap Grp.	1985	+3%	2332	1465
IP Group	465	+5%	715	484
Laplan Fund Man.	1671	+4	1655	1155
Licensed Asset Man.	3075	+2%	2715	2315
London Stock Ex.	8284	+24	9060	7170

SHARES AT A GLANCE

COMPANY	CLOSE	+/-	INDEX	INDEX
MBG	3545	+1%	3645	2485
Max Group	31104	+2%	316	1546
Groupan Banking	78	+1	1385	771
Barbicon Brothers	1672	-20	2235	1550
U & U	1658	-35	2400	1670
Schroders	5801	+4	5885	3615
G Intereth Plans	11639	+1%	1530	10325
IP GNP	338		355	2405
Fixed Line Telecommunications
Amel Africa	5265	+5%	4285	2155
BT Group	20104	+3%	2385	1740
Fixed & Drug Retailers
Geogys	1797	+1	2352	1418
Wales & Spencer	3895	+4	4195	309
Studio	2314	+5%	3901	1595
Sainsbury St.	3306	+1%	3595	295
Tecox	448	+1%	5379	4155
Fixed Producers

COMPANY	CLOSE	+/-	INDEX	INDEX
RM Group	161	+1	115	89
Topps Tiles	591	+5%	58	31%
Mid South	4194	+5%	1117	3835
Health Care Equipment & Services
Consatec Group	234	+2	2565	194
Smith & Nephew	11105	+22%	1435	10735
Household Goods & Home Construction
Barrett Development	5145	+7%	4895	2475
Bellway	2116	-2	2848	1722
Bentley Cap Hldgs	3522	-3%	4358	3104
Black Homes	2225	+5%	2366	2249
Abbots	160	+1	1675	119
Paramount	11591	+18%	1519	9989
Reddit Developer	4988	-3%	5070	2907
Taylor Wreps	831	+1	1165	744
Industrial Engineering
Bedycrole	9051	+6%	922	651
Hill & Smith	2355	+10%	3138	2520

EXPRESS.co.uk

Get more from your favourite newspaper NEWS PICTURES VIDEOS

3.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.5M 1.

U.S. Foods	2614	+12	2337	1759
Anglo Eastern	1865	+6%	2370	1135
Carr's Milling	162	+1	151	1195
Channock	52104	+80	5400	4840
Clarkiss	19675	+10%	21895	1129
Essenceon Group	201	+2	3385	192
Kerry Exp R'Ste.	70645	+51%	71355	35255
Premier Foods	1955	+3	2394	167
ROI Holdings	108	+1	1351	843
Quail	533	+5	369	3295
Asia Water & Multisdities
Centrica	7385	+2%	2184	1511
National Grid	1211	+21%	1400	10301
Premier Group	45834	+4%	5951	4401
Severn Food	3092	+52	5275	2486
United Utilities	1413	+27	1457	10915
General Industrials
AGIS	2574	+23	2455	1668
Saratown	19128	+58	27460	9440
Melrose	46764	+5%	6816	4481
Merall	8625	+1	1185	6865
Smiths Group	2611	-27	2768	2118
General Retailers
AGIS	336	+5%	399	2863
Auto Trade	5275	+1%	6265	4271
ABB Group Value Ret.	2305	+1%	264	1525
Calfpro	408		560	3865
Carpe	1575	+5	1685	155
Davisbro	8656	+1	1232	715
Ensons Group	8885	+14	8275	6185
Hallards Group	25916	+5	280	1271
Heaefam Group	8	+1	91	1
Hendon Jersey	795	+3	951	7231
Inchcape	35104	+5	859	853
ICT Sports	915	+1%	1585	815
Kingfisher	5275	+5	5795	2455
Next	14985	+8	15715	11575
King Airhome	252	+1%	2381	1715

Bill	30504	-34	3148	2226
Allegian Crumble	2425	-5	235	1875
ZIGUP	4075	+5	478	3015
Robert	48454		488	2885
Spinar Gasco	7010	-10	7960	6300
Seacoast	3001	-3	550	3535
Mart Group	2386	-86	3046	2274
Xiar	115	-2	1405	98
Industrial Metals & Mining
Cadings	5104	-8	538	2249
Pompeys
Industrial Transportation
Baumur Shipping Serv.	2204		268	207
Clatham	4974	-29	5155	3395
FirstGroup	9025		227	158
Fisher D & Sons	456	-9	538	326
Leisure Goods
Garret Workshop	18710	-10	21948	14260
HB Group
Life Insurance
Anna	737	+7	7405	5915
Chemara	352		3445	267
Legal & General	301	-1	2165	2335
Phoenix Group	914		9415	623
Prudential	1035	+1	1228	916
Alstila
Amherst Group	40144	+34	5008	3055
Bloomsbury Publick	6404	-5	679	4415
Future	5149	-5	7815	2749
Minima	89454	+5%	9005	7599
ITR	971	+5%	855	675
Pramce	118754	+9%	1528	8915
Peach	4294	+5%	735	45
STP Group	100		120	955
Wilmington Group	283	-1	358	250
WPP Group	3911	+6%	4115	225

---

SUMMER. GARDEN

Yimbly.com

SPACE TO STORE.

ROOM TO WORK.

Keep your garden organised while creating a bright, practical space to work with this spacious 8 x 8.5ft steel garden shed. More than simply somewhere to store tools, its thoughtful design combines generous storage capacity with features that make everyday gardening more convenient. Whether you're organising equipment, potting plants, or preparing for your next project, this versatile shed provides a tidy, functional space that works as hard as you do.

BRIGHT, ORGANISED INTERIOR

Unlike many traditional garden sheds, this model features two large front windows that allow natural daylight to flood the interior, making it easier to locate tools and

"Really impressed with the windows, makes it bright enough to work inside during the day."

★★★★ Michael P

organise equipment without relying on artificial lighting. A built-in shelf keeps smaller gardening essentials, hand tools, and accessories neatly stored and always within easy reach, helping maximise the available floor space.

SPACIOUS, SECURE STORAGE

The generous interior provides ample room for lawnmowers, bicycles, outdoor furniture, bags of compost, and larger gardening equipment. Wide double doors allow smooth

access for bulky items, while lockable handles provide added security when fitted with your own padlock.

BUILT FOR YEAR-ROUND

PERFORMANCE

Constructed from durable galvanised steel, this shed is designed to deliver reliable outdoor performance season after season. Four integrated ventilation openings promote continuous airflow to help reduce condensation and moisture build-up, while the apex roof encourages efficient rainwater runoff to protect both the structure and its contents.

Combining generous storage, practical organisation, and a bright, well-ventilated interior, this shed offers more than a place to store

your gardening essentials. It provides a versatile outdoor workspace that helps keep everything organised, protected, and ready whenever inspiration strikes.

Two large front windows to let in natural light Lockable doors (padlock not included) Four air vents improve airflow and reduce moisture Built-in shelf helps store smaller tools Self-assembly required: 2 people recommended Dimensions: H246.5 x W246.5 x D260cm

yimbly.com/Offer6

Quote Offer6

Offer ends 1st September

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52 Daily Express Wednesday, August 19, 2026

EXIST

WORLD OF SPORT

Albon still has Will to extend his stay

ALEX ALBON will extend his stay with Williams into a sixth season after agreeing a one-year contract extension.

Albon has scored just five points so far following a poor year for the British team, which has left team-mate Carlos Sainz's future in some doubt.

However, Albon's future has been secured ahead of this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix - the first round after the sport's summer shutdown.

London-born Albon said: "Since joining Williams in 2022, the transformation this team

FORMULA ONE

has made is difficult to put into words.

"One tough year doesn't tell the full picture, and it only gives me more motivation to keep building and pushing together with the factory and our fans to achieve great things. My full focus now is on

doing whatever it takes to get us back up the grid."

Albon finished a strong eighth in the 2025 drivers' standings, but Williams failed to make the first pre-season test this term, and their car has been overweight so far in 2026.

AJ close to US deal

FROM BACK PAGE

Big Apple. They have penciled in November 20 at Madison Square Garden, despite Joshua's protestations.

His promoter Eddie Hearn has insisted no agreement has been reached to move the venue from London.

But he admitted a deal could be reached in the coming days. "If they're

that desperate, we will find a way to help," he said.

"We are talking through a roadmap of what it might look like to change the deal.

"If they do all the things we've discussed and agreed in principle, there is a very good chance the fight will take place in America. It's an arduous process."

1. Which Leeds Rhinos pair each scored two tries in their Super League defeat by Castleford Tigers last month?

2. What was the new name of cricket team Northern Superchargers for The Hundred this year?

3. Which English golfer best fourth in The Open Championship in 2026, the 154th stopper of the event?

4. Which goalkeeper injured himself in 1993 by dropping a salad cream bottle on his foot?

5. Which sport has produced the most BBC Sports Personality of the Year recipient?

6. Aside from demonstrative appearances, for which sport did Spain win gold at the 1900 Olympics after France's withdrawal meant no other teams participated?

7. What was the name of the elite women's bicycle race (held 2014-21) that preceded the Tour de France Femmes?

8. What is the name of the horse on which Charlotte Dejardin became the first person to hold Olympic, World, European and World Cup titles at the same time?

9. Who won the first Vendée Globe yacht race?

10. Which American world heavyweight champion boxer was nicknamed Cinderella Man?

11. 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, 4th place, 5th place, 6th place, 7th place, 8th place, 9th place, 10th place, 11th place, 12th place, 13th place, 14th place, 15th place, 16th place, 17th place, 18th place, 19th place, 20th place, 21st place, 22nd place, 23rd place, 24th place, 25th place, 26th place, 27th place, 28th place, 29th place, 30th place, 31st place, 32nd place, 33rd place, 34th place, 35th place, 36th place, 37th place, 38th place, 39th place, 40th place, 41st place, 42nd place, 43rd place, 44th place, 45th place, 46th place, 47th place, 48th place, 49th place, 50th place, 51st place, 52nd place, 53rd place, 54th place, 55th place, 56th place, 57th place, 58th place, 59th place, 60th place, 61st place, 62nd place, 63rd place, 64th place, 65th place, 66th place, 67th place, 68th place, 69th place, 70th place, 71st place, 72nd place, 73rd place, 74th place, 75th place, 76th place, 77th place, 78th place, 79th place, 80th place, 81st place, 82nd place, 83rd place, 84th place, 85th place, 86th place, 87th place, 88th place, 89th place, 90th place, 91st place, 92nd place, 93rd place, 94th place, 95th place, 96th place, 97th place, 98th place, 99th place, 100th place.

GET ALL THE BREAKING SPORTS NEWS ONLINE express.co.uk/sport

OUT-OUT-TEER

LEAGUE

A million reasons why special Pollock won't swap codes, says Radford

BY DAN TOMLINSON

FORMER Hull FC and Castleford Tigers coach Lee Radford does not see "special talent" Henry Pollock moving to rugby league anytime soon, at least in the northern hemisphere.

A report last week said that Super League clubs are monitoring Pollock's situation, with the Northampton Saints forward, 21, testing himself on the open market and at least one league 'chief' showing some interest.

A rising star in the union game, the flanker's deal at Saints is thought to be about £150,000 per season, with the player, at least according to his management, Matchroom Talent Agency, spearheaded by Eddie Hearn, worth a 'seven-figure' salary.

But Radford, who worked with Pollock at Northampton before moving to Scotland as their full-time defence coach, does not see a UK league team getting close to that figure, despite significant salary cap dispensations for players crossing codes from union.

Radford said: "Eddie is talking about a million quid, but I don't see any rugby league team, at least in the northern hemi-

sphere, getting near that anytime soon."

On the player himself, Radford added: "He's a special talent. He's just got personality. He's a nuisance, sometimes, but he's great to be around. He's so annoying, but one thing I don't think he gets enough credit for is that he is tough and he plays the game incredibly tough.

"He's fast, too, and skilful - he'd make a great rugby league player."

Hull-born Radford, who has enjoyed a rapid rise in coaching union, is intrigued to see how Hearn's recent interest in rugby develops.

"He's got HP and [Scotland fly-half] Finn Russell as well," added Radford, speaking to All Out Rugby League. "It's interesting.

"Is he going to go for the individuals and try to use them as a brand and try to grow that brand, or will he dip his toe in and get involved in any of the competitions or a club specifically?"

"I suppose only time will tell, but what I do know is whatever he has touched has turned into gold.

"Whether that be snooker, darts, or boxing, whatever it is, everything he's done is thriving."

DeChambeau signs up for World Tour

BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU will make a surprise return to the DP World Tour at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

The two-time US Open champion's last non-Major appearance on the circuit was at the JP McManus Pro-Am in July 2022 - a month after his high-profile move to LIV - but he will tee it up at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa, in December.

GOLF

With the future of the Saudi breakaway LIV Golf tour still uncertain, some of its big names are considering their options.

The event's season-ending team championship was officially cancelled on Monday, and Spain's Jon Rahm, 31, is reported to be making a return to the PGA Tour after negotiating a

deal. Earlier this month American DeChambeau, 32, said he "would love to play on the PGA Tour".

And he added: "South Africa has given so much to the game of golf and so has Mr Player. Gary Player is such a force for good and that inspires me." (2NEWSLY-CROVIVED US Amateur champion Jack Whaley has been named in Great Britain and Ireland's

Walker Cup team to face the USA next month at Lahinch in County Clare.

On Sunday Whaley, 22, became only the third Englishman to win the title after defeating Jay Leng Jr. & 3 at Merion in the 36-hole final.

The GB and Ireland team are looking for their first win over the USA since 2015 at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

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FOOTBALL: EURO NEWS

53

BY DARREN WELLS RODRI completed his move to Barcelona from Manchester City yesterday but insisted "my heart will always be blue".

The Spanish midfielder has ended his seven-year spell at City to head to the Nou Camp in a deal worth £65.4million.

The 30-year-old made 298 appearances for City and won 14 major honours, including the Champions League and four Premier League titles.

He told City's website: "Saying goodbye is one of the most difficult things in life but I am going to try."

"I knew I came into a top team but I never thought we could create the legacy we made, winning trophies, fans around the world, love and respect. We made an example

to inspire the next generations not only because of the success, also because of the way we did it.

"And the fans were with us every step of the way."

"City didn't just make me grow as a player. They made me grow as a human."

"I saw my brother graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University. I could see my girlfriend working for the NHS."

"Manchester shaped my whole life. It's time to say goodbye, thanks to the club, the fans, the staff and my team-mates. This journey couldn't be the same without you, my heart will always be blue."

"I'm very happy and excited about this new stage in my career. It's a fresh challenge."

MY NOU CHALLNGE Rodri moves to Barcelona but spoke of his love for Man City

Spain captain arrives in Barcelona to seal £64.5m deal from City, but says: My heart will always be Blue

THE WORLD WANTED

RODRI 2026

ENGELS LOSS A HAMMER BLOW

Celtic v LASK Champions League play-offs first leg, Tonight, 8pm, TNT MARTIN O'NEILL admits Arne Engels' departure from Celtic before their Euro play-off with LASK was disappointing. West Ham broke the

Football League transfer record by paying £22million to sign the 22-year-old Belgium midfielder, following the Hoops' 4-0 Premier Sport's Cup win over Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday. Ahead of tonight's first leg against the Austrian

champions, veteran boss O'Neill (right) admitted: "Arne wanted to go, he didn't want to play in the matches in case he got injured. "I said again last week that was understandable, that this was a move that he wanted

to make. But for the football club, disappointing, really, because just at this moment, he's hard to replace in the side, that sort of running power that he has. That he gives us so just even for these two games, so that's disappointing." Celtic failed to make the

league phase of the Champions League last season with a shock loss to Kairat Almaty. The penalty shootout defeat in Kazakhstan under Brendan Rodgers cost the Scottish champions about £20m and exacerbated off-field tensions.

RESULTS & FIGURES

UEFA Champions League Play-off Round First Leg LESKI USTA (S), L. KEN KENKINS (S), L. D'AMER (D), L. YWING FA (D), L. FENTRANCE (S), L. LYON (I), L. VERTU EFL TROPHY—Northern Group B: Nigam 3 Aston Villa U21 2. Group B: Stockport County 6 Everton U21 3. Southern Group C: Reading, 1 Wycombe 1 (Reading win 3-1 on penalties). Group F: Barnet L Arsenal U21 1. Leyton Orient 1 AFC Wimbledon 1 (Leyton Orient win 6-5 on penalties). Group G: Northampton 0 Brighton U21 3.

BADMINTON BWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Steve Delhi, India)—Man's Doubles 1st rd: SF Girls & N (Lovette (Man) M C Grimsby & M Grimsby (Sco) 2-1; B Lane & S Yemis (Eng) M D M; Ielai & JHH Wong (Man) 2-1. Mixed Doubles 1st rd: S Jones & L Tolman (Eng) M D Silva & S Lima (Bra) 2-1; A Dunn & J Macpherson (Sco) M E Lay & L Li (USA) 2-0; C Hemming & E van Leeuwen (Eng) M T Anai & T Svalskova (Cze) 2-0.

CRICKET FIRST TEST—Sri Lanka v India (Stafer) India 4/12 (116.4 overs; D B Padikkai 167; K L Rahul 82; D C Lone 51; W K Nuwantha 3-175; N G R P Jayasuriya 4-109) and 193 (48.5 overs; R R Pant 45; A M Fernando 4-31; N G R P Jayasuriya 3-43). Sri Lanka 284 (79.4 overs; S D Gamage 100; D P D N Dickwella 80; M J Suthar 4-76; R A Jadeja 3-57) and 84.4 (34 overs).

RUGBY LEAGUE Betfred Super League HILL K II — L. WARINGTON — L. P W B L P A Po. Lovet — 22 10 0 5 784 246 36 Miga — 22 10 0 5 689 407 36 Martagher — 22 10 0 5 599 360 32 Wardell — 22 10 0 7 625 422 32 Red K II — 22 10 0 7 640 349 30 Lego — 22 10 0 8 548 428 30 St Helens — 22 13 0 10 548 508 26 Calabas De — 22 9 0 14 449 491 18 Castellani — 22 9 0 15 498 710 16 Teakana — 22 7 0 16 450 618 14 Red — 22 7 0 16 454 605 14 Red — 22 6 0 17 399 499 12 Bodanshah — 22 6 0 17 401 961 12 Bradford — 22 6 0 17 392 795 12

TENNIS ATP & WTA CONCINNATI OPEN (Ohio)—Man's 3rd rd: F Coboli (Ita) M A (Bocke (Ita) 7-5 4-6 7-5; T Trianta (Arg) M M Landalaca (Spc) 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4); J Mansik (Cze) M R Wibkela (Aus) 6-3 6-4; A Davies (Sao) M T Athiwa (Pat) 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (6-5); A Fits (Pat) M J Lahacka (Cze) 6-1 6-7 (7-5) 6-3; T Paul (USA) M D Vallejo (Pat) 3-6 6-3 6-4; A de Minaur (Aus) M A Fery (Gbr) 7-5 7-6 (7-3); R Joslar (Esp) M A Talibio (Ch) 6-2 6-1; N Borges (Pol) M A Rublev (Rus) 6-3 6-4; T Fritz (USA) M D Manda Aguilar (Spc) 6-3 6-4; L Musetti (Ita) M M Zhang (USA) 6-1 6-3. Women's 3rd rd: D Parry (Pat) M L Benson (Pat) 4-6 6-4 6-3; I Saratov (Pat) M M Sakhari (Grc) 4-6 6-1 6-1; E Rubakha (Kas) M M Finch (Pat) 6-4 7-6 (7-2); J Paguia (USA) M E Navarre (USA) 7-5 6-2; A Ansimova (USA) M A Zala (Pte) 4-6 6-4 6-2; S Csistau (Rus) M A Kalinskaya 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 5-0 ret; D Shnaider M M Chwalnaka (Pat) 6-2 7-6 (7-3); L Noskova (Cze) M C Tausson (Gers) 7-6 (7-3) 6-2; M Andreeva (Rus) M J Tjon (Ita) 6-1 7-6 (7-5); X Wang (Chn) M E Sutistova (Gin) w/c; M Keys (USA) M K Simakova (Cze) 6-1 6-3.

TODAY'S DIARY

(7.45pm versus match) UEFA Champions League Play-off Round First Leg Celtic v LASK (8pm) (Sue on TNT Sports 1) Sloun Bratislava v CM Cidje (8pm) Nippon Beer Sheva v Satsa Baku (8pm) NIC Nyingan v Bodo/Silmi (8pm) Vertu EFL Trophy—Northern Group B: Monrofoot v Main City U21 (7pm).

CRICKET First Test (day 1 of 5): England v Pakistan (Headingley, 11am). First Test (final day of 5): Sri Lanka v India (Gulfs, 5.30am). RUGBY LEAGUE Betfred Championship: Dewsbury v Rochdale (7pm).

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54 Daily Express Wednesday, August 19, 2026

FOOTBALL: PREMIER LEAGUE COUNTDOWN

OLD GOLD Bailey with Wolves' League Cup-winning side

TRIBUTES TO ACE BAILEY

BY ROBERT O'CONNOR MIKE BAILEY, the former Wolves captain who was part of the team that reached the 1972 UEFA Cup final, has died at the age of 84.

Bailey spent 11 years at Molineux after joining in 1966 and was part of a hugely-successful period for the club, helping them lift the League Cup at Wembley in 1974 after defeating Manchester City 2-1 in the final.

Two years earlier injury had meant he made only a substitute appearance in the second leg of their UEFA Cup final defeat by Tottenham, as Wolves were beaten 3-2 on aggregate.

Known as a combative but creative midfielder, he played 436 games for the club and scored 25 goals.

The club said: "As Wolves enjoyed a revival in the English game in the late 1960s and 1970s.

Bailey was the club's leader on the pitch, with the midfielder enjoying an incredible Old Gold career.

"During that popular Wolves stint, Bailey was known by those on the Molineux terraces for his love of a tackle, creative passing and eye for the occasional spectacular strike, but more than all that, his leadership."

He was capped twice by England in wins against Wales and the United States, with both appearances coming in 1964 under Sir Alf Ramsay.

After leaving Molineux, he moved to the United States with Minnesota Kicks before returning after a year to spend the final year of his playing career at Hereford, whom he also managed.

He later spent a year each in charge of Charlton, Brighton and Greek side OFL.

PAT BACK TO TAKE CHARGE OF SENEGAL

FORMER Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the new head coach of Senegal.

Vieira, who was born in Senegal, has been out of work since he was sacked as manager of Serie A side Genoa last November.

The 50-year-old, a winner of three Premier League titles as a player for Arsenal alongside World Cup and European Championship triumphs with France in 1998 and 2000 respectively, replaces Pape Thiaw.

Thiaw was dismissed following Senegal's defeat by Belgium in the round of 32 at last month's World

Cup. Following managerial spells with Nice and New York City, Vieira, capped 107 times by France, spent two years in charge of Crystal Palace.

He left Palace in March 2023 and joined Strasbourg as head coach the same year before a 12-month stint with Genoa.

Details of Vieira's contract and his starting date are still being discussed.

Though his first matches in charge of Senegal are expected to come next month in qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, starting at home to Mozambique.

IN FOR THE LONG HALL

Kiernan insists Toffees will avoid another sticky end

BY CHRIS BEESLEY KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL has insisted Everton will avoid repeating the mistakes of their end-of-season slump in the forthcoming campaign.

The Toffees' 3-0 victory over Dewsbury-Hall's previous employers Chelsea on March 21 left them just three points off a Champions League qualification place.

However, they failed to win any of their last seven matches and plummeted to finish 13th in the Premier League table for the second consecutive year, missing out on European qualification altogether.

Dewsbury-Hall said: "It was a very frustrating end to last season. I've had a lot of time to think about it over the past couple of months and there have been a lot of lessons learnt.

"It made me and the team realise you can be so close, but you can also be so far. Nothing is given to you in this game or in this world.

"A lot of people might have looked at us and said, 'You were only one or two wins away.' But it's hard to get those one or two wins, because everyone in the Premier League is competitive.

"I think the main lesson learnt is to never get complacent until the final whistle of the final game on the final day.

"It's all to play for and it's a great lesson because now we've got that in our locker going into this season. If put in the same position again, I don't think we'd be making that same mistake."

Manager David Moyes admitted he felt the club "need to do an awful lot more" in the transfer market, but while Dewsbury-Hall acknowledged Everton could do with a couple of more signings, he declared that he is feeling good about the new

season, which kicks off at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

He said: "Honestly, we're super excited, super positive. The lads have come back very sharp.

"We're bubbling along nicely and coming to a point now where we're going to be ready for the first game. It's very competitive, there are a lot of brilliant signings and good players that I've seen, and that's what you want in the squad.

"You want it to be competitive. You don't want anyone to think, 'That's mine, no problem,' you want people looking over their shoulders. We're getting that and we might have one or two more come in before the end."

Dewsbury-Hall made just 13 Premier League appearances across his solitary season at Chelsea, failing to complete a 90-minute game in the competition.

Following his £25 million move to Everton last August, he netted a career-high eight Premier League goals in 31 outings and reiterated how the Toffees are a natural fit for him.

The midfielder added: "Since day one, when I signed, it just felt right. There were times before I signed for Everton, in the years before, there was a chance that I could have come and it never materialised.

"So, it was always in the back of my mind that one day I might play for Everton. When it came up last summer, genuinely, it was the only place I wanted to go."

LOOK BACK IN ANGER Dewsbury-Hall is loving life at Everton and says the team have learnt from losing their way last season

---

55

BY BARRY COOPER THE Premier League is set to have a different feel this season thanks to one man who has already shaken up English football.

Hull's Sergej Jakirovic has charisma and personality in spades and is set to become one of the most talked about managers in the top flight.

Supporters from the other 19 teams will have little idea about Jakirovic, but Tigers fans felt the same 12 months ago when the ex-Bosnian international central defender, who identifies as Croatian, arrived in East Yorkshire.

A towering figure with a smile as wide as the Humber Bridge, he somehow manages to intimidate and disarm, to put you at ease, all at the same time.

Jakirovic is the type of character who will say what he thinks – and that's so refreshing.

We should cherish it for as long as he's here.

Amid the 'Spygate' drama around the Championship play-offs last

season, Jakirovic was probed for his take. "Maybe they watched my training session as well. But sometimes we are too bad, so this is good for us," was his response.

And after Hull secured their spot in the Premier League with victory over Middlesbrough at Wembley, Jakirovic (below with the play-off trophy) was again on top form.

At Hull's celebration parade, he said: "I only had one task before this season – to stay in the Championship. I failed! We're going to the Premier League."

Hull were among the favourites to be relegated last season.

They ended up sixth and beat Millwall in the play-off semi-finals

before Wembley glory. Jakirovic's personality is surely something the Tigers thrived off last time around, with the Croat not somebody who takes himself too seriously.

Every conversation with him is enjoyable, engaging and insightful, and he's somebody who won't be gagged. But that's not to say he doesn't

have Hull at heart or take the game seriously.

On the eve of the win at Wembley, he said: "I am very proud. Football was born here. Managing in the Premier League would be everything to me. The best award in my coaching career."

Jakirovic arrived at Hull as their

fourth manager in a year. Liam Rosenior, Tim Walter and Ruben Selles were all sacked in the space of 12 months, but Jakirovic has brought a sense of calm.

Even when a transfer embargo was handed to the club early in his tenure, the boss saw the positives.

"Sometimes, from these players who are written off by everybody, you can find motivation and hunger for the challenge," he said.

"It was like a puzzle. Maybe it was the best that it happened like this.

"This group of players became even closer. They had to stick together and help each other. Maybe this embargo helped us."

Promotion arrived at the end of that season and now Jakirovic is ready for the Premier League opener at home to Manchester United on Saturday after joking that he needed to lose some weight after spending a month on the beach in Croatia.

If only more were like him.

Dedic fan of Toon's 'energy'

BY SEAN McCORMICK

AMAR DEDIC has explained the "big energy" he felt from Newcastle supporters during his visit to St. James' Park with Benfica last season played a huge part in convincing him to move to Tyneside.

Dedic (above) has joined for £29.5m, with the 24-year-old admitting to the pull of linking back up again with new Toon boss Matthias Jaissie after their success together at RB Salzburg.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international, a right-back who can play at left-back as well, said: "I played last year here, so I felt already how much passion is here from the fans.

"There is a big energy there, the fans love the game and that is why I love it and wanted to come here."

INFANTINO A BIT RICH

BY JONATHAN VEAL AND JAMIE GARDNER PREMIER LEAGUE chief executive Richard Masters has accused FIFA president Gianni Infantino of pressing the "self-destruct button" over failed plans to sell stakes in the World Cup.

Infantino (inset) is fighting to stay in his job following huge backlash to his intention to sell a minority stake in FIFA tournaments to investors.

Masters said: "This is a self-inflicted wound. The organisation has pressed the self-destruct button, and the consequences flow now into the solutions that need to be found.

"I don't think FIFA should be ever contemplating selling off a stake in the World Cup. They're a not-for-profit organisation.

"They should really be holding that competition in trust for the future of football. I think it's a bad idea."

Blues kids renamed Next Gen

BY ROBERT O'CONNOR

CHELSEA have ditched the club's name from their age-group teams ahead of the new season - with the Under-21s and U-19s sides set to be rebranded as 'Cobham Next Gen'.

The teams will compete under the new name in the Premier League 2, with the club believing the change better reflects the age profile of their academy, with their U-21s side last season having been made up largely of players aged under 19.

The name is taken from the club's training base at Cobham, where the youth sides sometimes play home matches, though most games are hosted at Kingsmeadow.

There are two academy graduates in the Blues' first-team squad - Reece James (above) and Levi Colwill.

---

56 Daily Express Wednesday, August 19, 2026

BY JEREMY CROSS

IT has proved a milestone that has become more of a millstone around the necks of Manchester United.

One which continues to cost them dear when it comes to winning the biggest trophies.

And also one the English giants are not going to reach, while co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is holding the purse strings.

A decade has now passed since United broke the world record to re-sign Paul Pogba from Juventus in an £89million deal on August 9, 2016.

The move was the brainchild of Jose Mourinho - and facilitated by then chief executive Ed Woodward after the Glazers had sanctioned it from their Florida base.

It felt like a statement of intent at the time - that United were on a mission to get back to the top of domestic and European football.

The deal cost United closer to £95m, due to add ons and various bonus payments owed to the Frenchman and the club he had left behind.

The Euros had just taken

The Red Devils have never broken the £100m barrier for a player place in France but the footballing world was talking about Pogba's Manchester homecoming.

The fee felt enormous. Because it was. It also put down a marker to United's biggest rivals, in terms of what needed to be spent to sign the best players on the planet.

In the intervening years, though, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal have all engaged in a private battle to see who can break the British transfer record.

They have basically taken it in turns.

'Noisy Neighbours' City got the ball rolling in 2021, making Jack Grealish the first £100m signing in English football.

Chelsea took up the baton in 2023, splurging £106m on Enzo Fernandez and £115m on Moises Caicedo.

Arsenal got in on the act, signing Declan Rice for £100m to make him their record signing in the same year.

Liverpool spent the same amount on Florian Wirtz last summer, then topped it with a British record £125m deal for Alexander Isak.

And finally, City made Elliot Anderson their new record signing at £116m last month, before Chelsea spent a million more on landing England star Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. And

YOU'RE LIKE A BROKEN RECORD, JIM... CHANGE YOUR TIME IF UNITED WANT TO BE NO.1 AGAIN

13 years since a Prem title, 10 years since Pogba's mega-deal

in these 10 years since Pogba returned to Old Trafford, all of those clubs mentioned above have won the title. It's enough to put 1970s pools winner Viv Nicholson to shame. Her motto was, 'Spend, spend, spend'. But it's not one Ratcliffe and co

seem keen to emulate. Despite the fact United have not even come close to being English champions again.

The Red Devils have never broken the £100m barrier, while their most expensive signing this summer has been £50m Chelsea reject Andrey Santos.

And this is a club which has just returned to the Champions League.

When Ratcliffe (left) took control of football operations at United, he ordered a review of the club's transfer dealings. And what he got reminded of has

scared the billionaire, when it comes to making signings since. Antony cost £81m from Ajax, but couldn't beat an egg,

let alone a defender. Jadon Sancho cost £72.9m from Borussia Dortmund, but stunk the place out. When it comes to

wastes of money, the list is a long one. It also includes the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Rasmus Hojland, Angel Di Maria, Mason Mount, Edinson Cavani, Radamel Falcao, Alexis Sanchez and Sebastian Veron.

Some serious mistakes have been made and Ratcliffe remains on a mission to learn from them.

It is why he ran a mile once he discovered the fee needed to sign Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

He did the same when it came to Lewis Hall, Carlos Baleba

---

57

Kane keen to stay on at Bayern

FROM BACK PAGE

those talks. Like I've said before, we're calm, I think they're calm with the situation.

"Now is the time to start talking, because there's only a year left. That's important.

"But both sides are relaxed, and I'm pretty sure there'll be some talks this week or next week."

Kane tops Al Hilal's shortlist of future striker signings, which also includes Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins (above) and Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen.

Kane has plundered 146 goals in just 147 games in all competitions since joining Bayern from Spurs for £86m in 2023. His goals have helped the German giants win back-to-back Bundesliga titles.

This summer he also became England's top scorer at World Cups, with his six goals taking him to 14 in 18 matches, breaking Gary Lineker's previous record of 10 in 12 games.

Last season he scored 61 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions for Bayern to win the Bundesliga's golden boot for the third successive year.

Reds' new Bez mate

BY IAN DOYLE

THE consortium including Amazon boss Jeff Bezos that has agreed to invest in Liverpool will assume a share of almost 40 percent in the club - nearly £2billion.

1892 Holdings, led by former QPR director Amit Bhatia, will take on a minority equity stake in the Reds after

negotiations with owners Fenway Sports Group. The investment (Bezos, inset) was expected to be between 30 percent and a third of the club, which is valued at around £47billion.

But it is understood the share is actually 38 percent, almost £2bn.

---

58

OMIT

CRICKET: ENGLAND v PAKISTAN, FIRST TEST

NEW BROOM Harry Brook (left) and Joe Root at the nets

ENGLAND ERA

OF BOOM AND BUST IS OVER

COMMENT

BY JEREMY CROSS

IT HAS been one of the hottest summers ever.

But the sun has not shone on English cricket - and the Test team in particular.

The warm glow which once surrounded the era belonging to Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes has been replaced with a chilling wind of change.

McCullum and Stokes have both gone. 'Bazball' is a thing of the past, while the ECB have decided to go back to the future, in a bid to drag its red-ball side out of the darkness.

This isn't meant to be disrespectful to Joe Root.

The Yorkshireman is the greatest batter England have ever had. Root is also a shining example of how to behave on and off the field.

And he is better equipped than anyone to take the reins as captain - having had the role before.

No one has won - or lost - more Tests as skipper than Root.

And the 35-year-old must use all those experiences to lead a side inferior to the one he once captained.

But the honest truth is that Root was the only option available.

And he is too much of a gentleman to turn it down.

Harry Brook had been mentioned, but he needs to demonstrate he can use the brains he was born with on a more consistent basis, before being considered for one of the most demanding jobs in British sport.

There is lots of life left in Root's career. And without

admitting it, he will have Sachin Tendulkar's all-time Test runs record in his sights. But his immediate challenge is to get the Test team united, motivated and winning again.

Perhaps Root, 35, should feel blessed to be reopening his account at the start of a new series against the one nation more dysfunctional than his own, when Pakistan wobble into Headingley this week.

He has made a good start with incoming head coach Stephen Fleming in banning the players' curfew. If grown men need one, they shouldn't be in the team in the first place.

But the job will be harder than it was before. There is no more Stokes and his 'Superman'

impersonations to call upon, for starters.

No former captain like Alastair Cook to lend his advice.

And no opening bowling duo of Jimmy Anderson (above) and Stuart Broad, who took a combined haul of wickets that will never be matched.

But most vital of all will be the need for Fleming and Root to be more adaptable and reactive.

Forget boom or bust like the rigid McCullum became obsessed with - and do whatever the game requires for it to be won. And if not, drawn.

The best example Root can set is by continuing to score runs. Lead from the front, which he has rarely failed to do. If he can do this the team will improve.

And the second coming of Root might just be one of those rare occasions the ECB got something right.

BAZBALL

WITH

ADDED

BYAKS

Root to success isn't a one-way street as attacking instincts need insurance policy

UP TO THE MARC

Telecothics is vigorous result of a team where success (for right) brings valuable incentive

JOE ROOT TEST RECORD

BATTING

Mat 166, Inns 304, NO 25,

Runs M 114, HS 202,

Ave 50.58, 100s 41,

50s 67, 4s 101s, 6s 46

Bowling

Mat 166, Inns 170,

Balls 6,322, Runs 3.557,

Wks 76, BBL 5/8,

Ave 48.09

---

59

BY RORY DOLLARD RETURNING England captain Joe Root has no intention of "ripping up" the Bazbali blueprint but believes his experience could be vital in putting the Test team back on track.

Root will begin his second chapter as skipper on home turf at Headingley this week, the first in a three-match series against Pakistan, picking up the pieces after a turbulent period that saw Ben Stokes' dramatic retirement and Brendon McCullum's removal as red-ball head coach.

The decision to install Root, who earned a reputation for conservative leadership during an initial five-year reign that ended badly in 2022, suggested a willingness to banish some of the tactical excesses that characterised Stokes' tenure, but he hinted at a gentler transition. "I don't think there's a huge amount we need to change,"

he said. "It's small things that will make a big difference.

"It's not about ripping it up, I think it's about keeping a lot of the good stuff we've been doing for a period of time, stuff that Ben and Baz bailt for a long while.

"I don't believe there is one way of playing Test cricket. You've got to be adaptable and play the situation. It's never the same throughout five days, there's different challenges and you've got to adjust to the ebbs and flows throughout."

As for his own readiness to return to a role that had become an albatross around his neck towards the end of his prior stint, Root made it clear that he was fully prepared to embrace the challenge one more time.

"The landscape is different," the 35-year-old said.

"I'm a different player and person than I was when I [first] took

over as captain. I'm in a very fortunate, unique position where I've got 60-odd games of experience to look back on. There are things I might want to change and do slightly differently.

"I had time to step away, play in a different environment, different coach, different captain, and see the game from a different lens.

"In many ways I feel as ready as any other England captain that's ever been before, and to have that amount of experience is invaluable."

The knowhow Root has compiled over the course of 166 caps and 14 years is a resource England are sorely lacking elsewhere, with Stokes gone, the next most seasoned campaigner in his starting team is due to be Ben Duckett, on 46 appearances.

He is also working alongside an interim head coach in Marcus Trescothack, with Stephen Fleming (above) taking an extended break before starting as McCullum's successor, increasing the demands on Root to act as the steadying hand after a chaotic summer.

"I think that my natural personality is probably suited to that," he said.

"It's about looking after the here and now. Getting too caught up in what's come before is not going to help us.

"It is new... there has been a lot of change, but that's OK. I don't think that's anything to worry us.

"We should be excited about what lies ahead."

INAIRED Babar Azam

Pakistan skip Az a spell out

BY RORY DOLLARD

PAKISTAN captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test, leaving Salman Ali Agha to take over at Headingley.

Babar was widely struck on the right hand while facing the West Indies this month.

And he received another blow from England United 12 women Manny Lumsden in a tour match at Deckenham last week.

He duly retired hurt in what was described as a "precautionary measure".

The tourists were keen to give him time to recover but, while he has been cleared of a broken middle finger, he has not been given the go-ahead to lead the side in Yorkshire, despite working through a brief session in the nets.

Could Sarfaraz Ahmed said "Babar Azam is not available, Salman will be captain for the first Test. It's not broken, there is a little bit of swelling on the finger."

"Hopefully he will be available for the second Test match."

Babar's absence robs Pakistan not only of their on-field leader but one of their most talented batters with one. That hundreds to his name and an average of 43.6B.

Said Shaeed is expected to be drafted into the XI after sitting out the West Indies series.

Pakistan did win their two most recent Reds against England without Babar on home turf in 2024 - but the surface in Leeds is likely to present a considerably different challenge to the two extreme turning decks served up in Muktan and Rawalpindi.

ENGLAND: Duckett, Gay, Cox, Root (cf. Brook, Lawrence, Smith (wk), Allonson, Archer, Robinson, Boring)

PAKISTAN: Imam Ul-Haq, Awais, Shafique, Masood, Salman Agha (c), Rizwan Yaki Shaeed, Ali Usman, Abbas, Mohammed Ali Shahzad

FIRST TEST: Today, Headingley SECOND TEST: August 2026, Loreks THIRD TEST: September 9-13, Depeche

MOST MATCHES AS ENGLAND TEST CAPTAIN

	Matches	Won	Lost	Draw
Joe Root 2017-2026)	65	27	27	11
Alistair Cook (2010-2016)	59	24	22	13
Mike Atherton (1993-2001)	54	13	21	20
Michael Vaughan (2003-2008)	51	26	11	14
Andrew Strauss (2006-2012)	50	24	11	15
Nasser Hussain (1999-2003)	45	17	15	13
Ben Stokes (2020-2026)	44	24	18	2
Peter May (1955-1961)	41	20	10	11
Graham Gooch (1988-1993)	34	10	12	12
David Gower (1982-1989)	32	5	18	9

*Source: cricinfo.com

FRESH START Lawrence at No.2

"WE NEED TO EVOLVE"

FROM BACK PAGE four years which will serve us really well. We need to evolve that and take it to the next level.

"Ben did a phenomenal job throughout his tenure and will go down as a brilliant Test player and brilliant Test captain. We've got to find a way of evolving the team without him in it."

Dan Lawrence is set to replace Stokes as the all-rounder, batting at No.6.

While new coach Stephen Fleming will not be in charge for the series against Pakistan, it is the start of a new chapter in English cricket following the Bazbali failings in Australia and

against New Zealand. One of Root's first acts was to abolish the team's contentious midnight curfew, which played a part in Stokes' eventual estrangement, while keeping some of the expectations that came with it.

"You always want to represent your country in the best possible light." Root added. "We might have fallen short of that on a few occasions in the recent past.

"The only thing we can be to rectify that is be really good role models, good human beings and will be really strong performances on the field.

"That does take time and the first opportunity to do that is this week."

---

60

DXIST

INSIDE TODAY FREE £3 SHOP BET WITH

William HILL

VALID ON ALL RACING INCLUDING YORK EDOR FESTIVAL, BET 18+ ONLY. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. SEE PAGE 16 FOR DETAILS.

AJ SET FOR USA

BY MARTIN DOMIN

ANTHONY JOSHUA is edging closer to agreeing terms to fight Tyson Fury in New York.

Joshua (left) signed to face his heavyweight rival on the condition the all-British blockbuster was held in the UK. But broadcasters Netflix - and the fight's Saudi Arabian backers - insist the clash must be staged in the TURN TO PAGE 52, COLUMN 1

DON'T MISS YOUR YORK RACING PULLOUT

ENGLAND v PAKISTAN

HEADINGLEY, 1ST TEST, 11AM

Root will lead on his own terms rather than attempt to replicate 'unique' Stokes

BY JOSHUA PECK

JOE ROOT admitted there is no point trying to be Ben Stokes as he prepares for his second reign as England captain.

England face Pakistan today in their first Test match since Stokes retired from international cricket and head coach Brendon McCullum was sacked.

Root has already led England in 65 Tests, having held the role between 2017 and 2022, and is determined to do it his own way again. "One of the big challenges is not trying to be Ben

Stokes," Root said. "He's a very unique player with unbelievable qualities which aren't easy to replicate so I don't think there's any point trying to.

"Understanding that things have changed, it is going to have a slightly different look to it, but that's OK.

"There's still a lot of good stuff that's happened over the past TURN TO P59, COL 2

TURN

ON

STOKES

FRONT MAN Root has no intention of copying Stokes (insert)

HARRY WILL SNUB MEGA SAUDI DEAL

BY JEREMY CROSS

HARRY KANE is ready to snub Saudi millions and commit his future to Bayern Munich.

The England captain is being targeted for a sensational swoop by Saudi billionaires Al Hilal.

But 33-year-old Kane (above) is not prepared to join the Saudi Pro League at this stage of his career - and is closing in on a new deal with Bayern.

Al Hilal president Nawaf bin Saad will keep tabs on Kane's situation, with a view to luring him to Saudi in the future with a contract worth a whopping £1.2 million a week.

Kane has entered the final 12 months of his deal with Bayern, and wants to extend it.

The former Tottenham striker put negotiations on hold until after the World Cup, where he led England to the semi-finals.

Kane said: "We said we wanted to talk after the World Cup and after my holiday.

"So I'm not sure exactly when, but they'll start this week, next week... we'll start

TURN TO PAGE 57, COLUMN 7

WHOLE EARTH

Nationwide News by: Fred Arnold/Spain: James Wulf, Jordan 1315/37. Registered in England's Name No. 42348. Printed by South Printing Services at St. Albans Rd, Belford, Hertfordshire BS21 7RL. Professional Average, Councillors: E.Maats B.V 927, USA press. M.Chancery Street, Belford, BT2 1AB, Biller-Hampstead Ltd, Biller House, 1st St. Elizabeth's, Kent, 2, Wexford, Birkdale, BS1 2NR, Malls, Biller-Hydral, Egress, Barrows Industrial Area, BS1 8AA, London Road, 2, St. Albans, Sydney, Biller & Alton Publishing Services Ltd, Northampton, Nunez, Northampton, New York, 1945. Design: Amos

Tel. 0208 612 7000. Outside UK +44(0) 208 612 7000

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NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT RECYCLING The recycled content of UK Newspapers in 2025 was 30%

---

express.co.uk

0957

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

1

Puzzles

SUDOKU

Fill the grid so that every column, row, and 3x3 square includes all of the digits from one to nine. Solutions tomorrow

ASTA

	3			7
6			3	1	8	4
1		4	2			5	3
2		5		8		1
6	4			3		8	9
	5		1	9			6
	2			1	5	9
		4		9		3
9	3					7	1

MODERN

		7	3				4
6	3			5	4	9
	9		2					8
	1					7		2
	8			1	2		3
2		5					6
3					9		7
		1	5	6				4
	6				1	8		3

DIRECT

	6			4		9
5			2	9
		1				8		6
	9		7
3	2						5	9
					3		8
2		6				7
				6	7			2
		8		2			1

Extra clues: 0901 322 5609

*Calls cost 75p plus your telephone company's network access charge.

Today's solution: 0907 181 2573

*Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company's network access charge.

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Otherwise (4) 3 Legitimate (8) 9 Green gem (7) 10 Apart (5) 11 Bad luck (12) 13 Estimate (6) 15 Think over (6) 17 Unpleasantly truthful (12) 20 S American animal (5) 21 Violent flow (7) 22 A card game (8) 23 Tribe (4)

DOWN

1 Always (8) 2 Appears (5) 4 Really (6) 5 A frank talk (5,2,5) 6 Knocked down (7) 7 Remaining (4) 8 Fastidious (4,2,6) 12 Alarm (8) 14 Touch (7) 16 Motionless (6) 18 Perfect (5) 19 Applaud (4)

Solution tomorrow

Stuck on the puzzle? Call 0905 789 4188 to hear individual clues or the full solution

*Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company's network access charge. Service provider Spoke List - Helpline 0333 202 3390

CROSS DOUBT

Target times: Average: 18 mins Good: 14 mins Excellent: 10 mins

Stuck? Call for a clue

0901 322 5601

Have your Target Time!

Today's solution

0901 322 5607

Both today's words in a moment!

Can you make two common five-letter words from the nine letters given, using each letter only once? You can - but only if one letter features in both words in the squares on the right. There's at least one way to do it, and you have to have the right letter at the crossover - but which one is it?

See if you can find the answer within our target time. If you need help, ring our clue-line below to find out the crossover letter. Solution tomorrow

ACCDEMORY

SMALL CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Begin to play music (6,2) 8 Abduct (6) 9 Source of illumination (4) 10 Nickname of Dwight D. Eisenhower (3) 11 Walk softly (6) 13 Inflammation of the lungs (9) 15 Piece of small shot (6) 17 In addition (3) 18 Horner-Halliwell, Spice Girl (4) 19 Everett, actor (6) 20 Fictional boy who never grew up (5,3)

DOWN

1 Potassium nitrate (9) 2 Coaches (6) 3 Cavort (4) 4 Metric unit of length (9) 5 Verge (4) 6 Employee organisation (5) 7 Tore piano (anag.) (9) 12 Range of mountains (6)

14 Run away to marry (5) 15 Writer of verse (4) 16 Jump (4)

Solution tomorrow

For today's solution call:

0907 181 2582

KAKURO

Fill each sequence of blank squares using the numbers 1-9. Each sequence - across and down - must total the number in the shaded box at the beginning or top of each line. A number may be repeated in each line but NOT in a sequence.

Solution tomorrow

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2

DRAFT

express.co.uk

Puzzles

QUIZWORD

ACROSS

• 6 City in Belgium on the River Scheldt associated with the shipbuilding industry (7)
• 7 Hittite officer of the Old Testament who was married to Bathsheba (5)
• 9 Josef, son-in-law of Dvorak and composer of the symphony Asrael (3)
• 10 Former cricketer who was prime minister of Pakistan from 2018 to 2022 (5,4)
• 12 1948 Norman Z McLeod film that starred Bob Hope as 'Painless' Potter (3,8)
• 15 City which is capital of Saarland, Germany (11)
• 17 Katherine, New Zealand author of the story collection in A German Pension (9)
• 19 & 2 Down 1817 novel by Walter Scott (3,3)
• 21 River rising in central New Mexico which flows southeast to the Rio Grande (5)
• 22 Silvery-white metallic element whose symbol is U (7)

DOWN

• 1 & 16 1993 Kenny Ortega film starring Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson (5,5)
• 2 See 19 Across
• 3 A number of sheets of paper equal to 20 quires (4)
• 4 Sergei, composer of the opera Love For Three Oranges (9)

• 5 & 20 1936 novel by Daphne Du Maurier (7,3)

• 8 Widely cultivated Asian plant whose bulb is made up of cloves that are used in cooking (6)

• 11 & 13 Opera by Arthur Sullivan and Basil Hood first performed in 1899 (3,4,2,6)
• 13 See 11
• 14 1972 Bob Fosse film starring Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles (7)
• 16 See 1
• 18 Ancient Greek musical instrument made from a tortoise shell (4)
• 20 See 5

Solution tomorrow

Stuck on the puzzle? Call 0905 789 4190 to hear individual clues or the full solution *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company's network access charge. Service provider Spoke Ltd - Helpline 0333 202 3390

SAMURAI SUDOKU

In Samurai Sudoku, normal sudoku rules apply, but the 9x9 sudoku at the centre shares four of its 3x3 boxes with those of the outer sudokus.

Solution tomorrow

	8			9	1				1	8			7
		8	2								1	8
4			6	7		3			7	5	4			2
	9	5	4								5	4	6
	5	3	7									9	1	4
				6	5	7			8	3	4
6	4		7				1	6			3		4	1
1			3				9	5			5			9
	9		2				7	3			4		2
				9	1	4			2	5	7
				6	2	8			1	9	3
	4		3				3	7			6		9
3			2				8	2			8			7
9	5		6				4	9			3		1	8
				7	5	9			5	7	2
	9	3	7									3	7	5
	7		6	5							5	2	8
2			4	1		6			3	7	1			4
			9	6							3	8
	8			9	3				6	8			5

WORD BUILDER

Answer each clue so that every word contains the same letters as the previous word, plus or minus one.

Solution tomorrow

SUMMIT UP

If the number in each triangle is the sum of the two below, what is the top number?

Solution tomorrow

• 1 Droop
• 2 Falls behind
• 3 Aims
• 4 Maliciously enjoys
• 5 Roman garments
• 6 Caprine mammal
• 7 Label

QUIZWORD

• Across:
• 7 Mona Lisa Smile,
• 8 Foucault,
• 9 Rump,
• 10 Seward,
• 12 Grappa,
• 14 Gerbil,
• 16 Tasman,
• 18 Cher,
• 20 Rusedski,
• 22 Under Milk Wood.
• Down:
• 1 Holocene,
• 2 Garcia,
• 3 Ainu,
• 4 Kattegat,
• 5 Smyrna,
• 6 Plum,
• 11 Doldrums,
• 13 Plankton,
• 15 Border,
• 17 Sadowa,
• 19 Hunt,
• 21 Salk.

SAMURAI SUDOKU

SMALL CROSSWORD

• Across: 2 Coverage, 9 Enrich,
• 10 Coal, 11 Dirt, 13 Nadir,
• 14 Customise, 16 Harem, 19 Anon,
• 20 Isle, 21 Actual, 22 Relishes.
• Down: 1 Deckchair, 3 Orals, 4 Vile,
• 5 Economics, 6 Avid, 7 Garish,
• 8 Extremely, 12 Nuance, 15 Issue,
• 17 Roll, 18 Pith.

PUZZLES@REACHPLC.COM

---

express.co.uk

DIST

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

9

ARROW-WORD

Arrow-words are like crosswords, but the clues are printed inside squares on the grid. Write your answers in the blank squares in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Solution tomorrow

WORDSEARCH

ITALIAN CITIES

Find all the terms listed below in the grid.

Solution tomorrow

BOLOGNA ● BRINDISI ● FLORENCE ● GENOA LUCCA ● MESSINA ● MILAN ● NAPLES PADUA ● PALERMO ● PARMA ● PISA RIMINI ● ROME ● TRIESTE ● TURIN VENICE ● VERONA

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

QUICK CROSSWORD

Across: 6 Shapely, 7 Bath, 9 Comic, 10 Elegant, 12 Interim, 14 Information, 18 Blatant, 19 Adage, 21 Agree, 22 Totally. Down: 1 Throw, 2 Option, 3 Sky, 4 Jargon, 5 Shingle, 8 Climate, 11 Teeming, 13 Analogy, 15 Outlet, 16 Ordeal, 17 Agile, 20 Cow.

WORDSEARCH

ARROW-WORD

SUDOKU EASY

SUDOKU MEDIUM

SUDOKU DIFFICULT

BATTLESHIPS

KAKURO

KEIJO

TARGET

GRAPEVINE

aping gape gaper grape GRAPEVINE, grip gripe nape neap neep page pager pain pair pane pang pare paring pave paving pean pear pean peer peering peering pier pine ping pinger prang preen pring rape rapine reap reaping repave repine ripe ripen viper

THE ALPHAPUZZLE

Across: Protege, Jail, Most (clue), Oiliness, Frigid, Happen, Fusion, Carpet, Blizzard, Tape, Quay, Breaker. Down: Uproar, Umlaut, Dolt, Grizzly, Devoid, Nearby, Wealth, Cudgel, Juniper, Toke, Tissue, Expiry.

THE ALPHABEATER

Black squares: 3, 8, 12, 15, 19, 20, 21, 24, 26, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37. Across: Human, Activity, Envoy, Trawl, Biography, Opt, Yolk, Fair, Jog, Unblocked, Owned, Fable, Coquette, Zesty. Down: Urn, Whom, Oxygen, Among, Udder, Accept, Aborts, Sixty, Craze, Anorak, Stow, Lit.

CROSS DOUBT

Across: VOTED Down: BADLY

SUMMIT UP

96 and 60

WORD BUILDER

Ale, Teal, Alter, Falter, After, Fate, Eat

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8

09/07

express.co.uk

PUZZLES

CRUSADER PRIZE CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Narrow, like some companies (7) 5 Poor as review about new singer (7) 9 Respected, never terribly competent (9) 10 Assessed trade incorrectly (5) 11 Consider what a mirror does (7) 12 Rat runs around, having pain in windpipe (7) 13 Anticipated another visitor in report (6/7) 18 Picture moving creep to right cell (13) 20 I am to overtake at the last dead end (7) 23 Northern aim, correcting endless prejudice in the country (7) 25 Track down wrong crate (5) 26 Chief to tolerate gymnastic manoeuvre (9) 27 Broadcast set - more handset(s) (7) 28 Important match of French drink (7)

DOWN

1 Costume like offal? (6) 2 Obvious nothing is added in policy statement (9) 3 Digit hard to get into apple, say (5) 4 Be attuned about new arrival (9) 5 Second writer with temperature, exhausted (5) 6 For every fellow, ten changes become fixed (9) 7 Character often dropped (5) 8 Veterans attached to vintage clock (3,5) 14 Boats, sent off to lookout post (5,4) 15 Environmental eccentric has permission to work (5,4) 16 Clean, come down to area of low vegetation (9) 17 Shatter support with hesitation (8) 19 Stray is pale with colour coming back (6) 21 Song gets stuck initially in tree (5) 22 Broken toes get healed, initially, in spirit (5) 24 Art form making total return, in charge (5)

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN

Read down the letters in the highlighted squares to reveal the mystery word.

TO ENTER: Call 0904 161 3700 (calls cost £1.50 plus your telephone company's network access charge) and leave your answer and details, or text DXCRUS followed by a space, your answer, name and address details to 888333 (texts cost £1.50 plus your standard network rate). Lines close at midnight Saturday. Or send your grid containing the answer in the shaded squares by posting it to: Crusader Crossword, August 19, PO Box B694, Derby DE1 9TW. Entries must be postmarked by August 20 at the latest. For any postal enquiries, call helpline number. SP: Spoke - 0333 202 3390.

An extra day is given for postal entries during bank holidays.

One weekly winner will be the first random correct entry drawn from all entry routes after the closing date of midnight Saturday. Competition runs Sunday to Saturday. The Editor's decision is final.

NEED HELP? Call 0904 161 1609 for 5 extra clues! Calls cost £1.50 plus your telephone company's network access charge.

NAME

ADDRESS

POSTCODE

MONDAY'S SOLUTION

ACROSS: 1 Pearls, 4 Scimitar, 10 Lookout, 11 Landing, 12 Satan, 13 Paintball, 14 Degeneration, 18 Achilles' heel, 23 Like a shot, 24 Priest, 25 Outfits, 26 Ignoble, 27 Darkened, 28 Recess.

DOWN: 1 Palisade, 2 Shortage, 3 Thorn, 5 Cellist, 6 Morstrous, 7 Tribal, 8 Regale, 9 Stupor, 15 Nectarine, 16 Reliable, 17 Gladness, 19 In haste, 20 Latvia, 21 Almond, 22 Skater, 24 Pence. Prizeword: Arkansas

TARGET

● The Target uses words in the main body of Chambers 21st Century Dictionary (1999 edition)

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here?

In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. No plurals. Verb forms ending in 5 permitted.

TODAY'S TARGET

Good (7) very good 26) excellent 34 (or more). Solution tomorrow

Call 0907 181 2585

for today's Target solution

*Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company's network access charge

BATTLESHIPS

FIND where the fleet of ships shown is hidden in the grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row are filled in with ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Some squares have been filled in to start you off.

Solution tomorrow

THE ALPHABEATER

TARGET TIME 16 minutes

CAN you crack the Alphabeater? Each grid number represents a letter - or black square. As in Alphapuzzle, every letter of the alphabet is used. But you have to complete the grid tool. Use the given letters and black squares below the grid to start. The grid is 'rotationally symmetrical' - in other words, it looks the same if you turn the page upside down.

Solution tomorrow

Extra letter clues 0907 181 2560

(Deduct three minutes for each extra clue letter heard)

Full solution

0907 181 2558

A	30	27	25	30	24	24	25	23	32	2	37	35	16
B	36	26	19	13	10	20	2	5	19	36	18	23	12
C	8	14	28	28	23	12	13	23	33	10	21	26	30
D	30	2	24	27	15	19	17	22	24	13	37	13	7
E	11	4	15	33	28	31	34	23	1	30	29	25	23
F	1	37	30	3	14	26	30	2	19	4	23	9	15
G	24	22	36	35	39	30	36	19	12	9	36	31	16
H	9	33	6	15	30	4	20	35	37	29	24	19	12
I	21	19	14	12	36	37	25	2	40	31	32	10	14
J	14	17	23	27	11	31	9	30	9	35	19	9	18
K	39	33	8	22	4	20	32	8	5	23	12	34	23
L	38	14	24	37	36	23	17	25	26	31	38	15	36
M	19	4	8	15	10	8	16	23	37	3	8	32	24

● Alternatively, for six Extra Letter clues to your mobile, text DXBEAT to 64343. Texts cost £1 plus standard network rate.

KEIJO

Place the tiles into the grid so that four different numbers and four different shapes appear in each row and column. Solution tomorrow

THE ALPHAPUZZLE*

Alphapuzzle* tests logic and word power. Each grid number stands for a letter. Every letter of the alphabet is used. Use the given letter or letters - below the main grid - to start. Solution tomorrow

DIFFICULTY: 7/5; TARGET: 24 mins; CLUE: Buy the German used for climbing.

A	23	4	14	21	11
B	13	11	6	7	6
C	24	6	8	25	7
D	4	19	7	5	10
E	2	7	5	10	25
F	23	7	19	9	16
G	13	9	16	13	21
H	18	2	10	10	13
I	17	17	2	2	2
J	23	13	12	19	8
K	3	11	16	9	6
L	16	19	23	4	13
M	13	3	7	2	25
N	13	25	13	21	25
O	2	3	4	9	6
P	14	15	16	18	19
Q	15	16	17	20	21
R	15	17	18	19	20
S	15	18	19	20	21
T	15	19	20	21	22
U	15	20	21	22	23
V	15	21	22	23	24
W	15	22	23	24	25
X	15	23	24	25	26
Y	15	24	25	26	27
Z	15	25	26	27	28

EXTRA LETTER CLUES: 0907 181 2568*

Hear up to six Extra Letters, deduct two minutes for each clue letter heard. If you have an old newspaper and would like to hear six extra letters from the last seven days, call 0905 789 0020*

FULL SOLUTION: 0907 181 2565*

ACROSS ONLY: 0907 181 2561 / DOWN ONLY: 0907 181 2562

Alternatively, for six extra letter clues direct to your mobile, text DXALPHA to 64343. Texts cost £1 plus standard network rate.

Alphapuzzle® ©2026 Accm Editorial Ltd. All words appear in Chambers Dictionary.

THE DAILY EXPRESS 30-SECOND CHALLENGE

TODAY'S ANSWERS: BEGINNER = 45; INTERMEDIATE = 114; ADVANCED = 386.

NEW WORK CROSSWORDS AND

GAMES AT EXPRESS.CO.UK/PUZZLES

ANY QUERIES? EMAIL US ON PUZZLES@REACHPLC.COM

SP: Spoke - Helpline 0333 202 3390

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express.co.uk

ORIST

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

1

WE LOVE PUZZLES!!

• ✓ BOOST your brainpower

• ✓ FOCUS your mind

• ✓ UNLOCK your potential!

EIGHT PAGES OF CROSSWORDS, SUDOKU, AND MUCH MORE!

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2

ORIST

express.co.uk

WORDSEARCH

Can you find all the listed items in the grid? Words may read forwards or backwards, horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

GEOMETRY

V	I	Q	I	S	O	S	C	E	L	E	S	M	E	O	U	E	T	G
P	E	R	I	M	E	T	E	R	K	R	Z	G	K	E	D	Q	L	C
V	G	R	K	E	D	N	J	R	Y	B	D	Q	S	C	I	U	P	K
A	V	N	T	O	V	E	P	Z	S	E	X	U	X	O	M	I	U	Y
N	B	E	G	E	M	L	O	T	T	O	T	B	W	M	E	L	F	B
U	U	A	X	U	X	O	L	G	W	B	J	G	P	P	N	A	M	Q
U	O	U	L	Z	Q	Z	Y	Q	O	L	N	Y	R	A	S	T	C	H
P	V	O	D	H	B	W	G	D	Z	I	G	O	I	S	I	E	O	C
R	V	U	Z	B	D	F	O	M	J	Q	L	S	S	S	O	R	N	T
O	R	C	B	G	I	Q	N	C	H	U	E	E	M	E	N	A	G	G
T	S	P	A	R	A	L	L	E	L	E	Y	T	L	R	E	L	R	A
R	C	S	L	H	M	O	K	T	R	O	N	G	O	L	K	A	U	D
A	A	Y	Q	R	E	Y	P	G	R	E	N	T	C	V	E	F	E	J
C	L	M	J	A	T	S	E	W	G	A	C	R	F	R	X	R	N	A
T	E	M	O	D	E	D	P	N	T	E	I	P	A	A	S	A	T	C
O	N	E	W	I	R	N	A	H	V	C	Z	N	A	C	X	C	Z	E
R	E	T	X	U	S	T	G	X	E	K	L	S	Z	U	N	T	E	N
A	V	R	Q	S	F	I	B	K	I	R	I	B	M	T	T	A	C	T
F	B	Y	R	C	R	U	Z	J	E	S	E	G	Q	E	S	L	M	A

• ACUTE
• ADJACENT
• AREA
• AXIS
• CIRCLE
• COMPASS
• CONGRUENT

• DEGREES

• DIAMETER

• DIMENSION
• EDGE
• EQUILATERAL
• FRACTAL
• ISOSCELES
• OBLIQUE

• OBTUSE

• PARALLEL

• PERIMETER
• POLYGON
• PRISM
• PROTRACTOR
• RADIUS
• RIGHT ANGLE

• SCALENE

• SPHERE

• SYMMETRY
• TANGENT
• VECTOR
• VERTEX
• VOLUME

CODEWORD

This puzzle has no clues. Instead, every number printed in the grid represents a letter. Use your knowledge of words to solve the puzzle. Two letters are given to start you off.

	21		21		19			19		23
12	8	25	22		16	5	6	22	18	3		22
	10		26	8	9			18		19	5	15
	4		5		10	5	23	17		12		22
15	16	22	18	3		22						23
	23			12	7	14	12	5	11	23	8	17
	11			19		24		16			2
14	8	16	17	11	18	23	12	10			12
23						17		20	12	22	18	10
15		11		20	23	15	20		23		20
22	15	12		12			12	15	15		12
18		10	11	22	17	1	22		20	12	22	1
		11		11			13		11		3

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26
	G							A

HONEYCOMB

All the solutions read clockwise around their numbers. The solution to clue number 1 starts from the given letter.

• 1 Campanologist
• 2 Type of metal
• 3 Guide
• 4 Strip
• 5 Cleaning cloth
• 6 Sting
• 7 Rodent
• 8 Offshoot
• 9 Grind
• 10 Digit
• 11 Take off
• 12 Annul

PATTERN MAKER

Which one of the numbered squares on the bottom row should replace the question mark to follow the logical pattern in this sequence?

BATTLESHIPS

In Battleships, you have to find where the fleet of ships shown are hidden in the ten by ten grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row are filled in with ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Some squares have been filled in to start you off.

THE FLEET

• 1 x Battleship
• 2 x Cruiser
• 3 x Destroyer
• 4 x Submarine

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express.co.uk

DRAFT

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

3

GIANT TWO-SPEED CROSSWORD

Choose between straight and cryptic clues in this giant crossword - both sets lead to the same answers.

STRAIGHT

ACROSS

• 12 Chilliness (3,2,3,3)
• 13 Shape (6)
• 14 Assumed (4,2)
• 16 Colour (4)
• 17 Peak period (5,4)
• 18 Drink (5)
• 19 Propose (4)
• 20 Direction (9)
• 22 Proper (5)
• 23 Unaware (2,3,4)
• 27 Delving (7)
• 30 Mean (6)
• 31 Fellow (4)
• 32 Harassed (5)
• 35 Look (4)
• 36 Stop (7)
• 38 Sketch (4)
• 39 Perception (7)
• 42 Tail (6)
• 45 Give to (5)
• 46 Remote (7)
• 47 Happy (4)
• 48 Female name (4)
• 50 Perturbed (7)
• 52 Be rebuked (3,2)
• 54 Argument (6)
• 56 Soldier (7)
• 57 Box (4)
• 59 Bird (7)
• 61 Bag (4)
• 64 Concise (5)
• 66 Abhor (4)
• 67 Gentleman (6)
• 69 Here (7)
• 72 Painting (5,4)
• 73 Splendour (5)
• 74 Unhappy (9)
• 79 Gripped (4)
• 81 Month (5)
• 82 Don't worry (5,4)
• 83 List (4)
• 85 Gets up (6)
• 86 Light (6)
• 87 Easy (5,2,4)

DOWN

• 1 Money drawer (4)
• 2 Take off (6)
• 3 Fasten (6)
• 4 Feminine name (7)
• 5 Dismissed (5)
• 6 Agreeing with (4-6)
• 7 Blow (5)
• 8 Listen (4,2,3)
• 9 Stiff (7)
• 10 Class (4)
• 11 Talk (8)
• 15 Small (6)
• 21 Tree (5)
• 24 Sweetheart (7)
• 25 Certainly (6)
• 26 Particles (6)
• 28 Wounded (5)
• 29 Sleep (3)
• 33 Flaws (7)
• 34 Joined (6)
• 37 Pulled (5)
• 40 Middle (5)
• 41 Quickly (7)
• 43 Fly (5)
• 44 Heat (6)
• 46 Dearly (5)
• 49 Divers (7)
• 51 Drank (6)
• 53 Illustrations (6)
• 55 Reverses (5)
• 58 Discursively (10)
• 60 Fight (3)
• 62 Feel (5)
• 63 Much reduced (4-5)
• 65 Previously (8)
• 68 Endeavour (6)
• 70 Foreign (7)
• 71 Enchant (7)
• 75 Very keen (3-3)
• 76 Hit (6)
• 77 Glitter (5)
• 78 Weight (5)
• 80 Cooked (4)
• 84 Water (4)

CRYPTIC

ACROSS

• 12 Drink the stewardess brings you - it's cold (3,2,3,3)
• 13 Reckon, from the shape (6)
• 14 Assumed, when one made a fuss (4,2)
• 16 The little boy's clothes are dirty (4)
• 17 For a good while, it has a lot of viewers (5,4)
• 18 Ride off, having had a cold drink (5)
• 19 Propose you find yourself somewhere else to live (4)
• 20 Downright when giving direction (9)
• 22 The proper time to have spoken about (5)
• 23 Unaware one won't be able to read (2,3,4)
• 27 Living with and doing some gardening for (7)
• 30 Mean in the end he gets lost (6)
• 31 Fellow in the hand cream advertisement (4)
• 32 Harassed, which is detrimental, to start off with (5)
• 35 Look. The point has penetrated through (4)
• 36 Stop something happening to the pair (7)
• 38 Charge back to put in the picture (4)
• 39 Showing perception, I fix things (7)
• 42 Tail the animal had caught in (6)
• 45 Provide, for the party, a new swinging environment (5)
• 46 Far from cold (7)

• 47 It's a happy wagtail, boy (4)

• 48 She's started saving, for a change (4)

• 50 Perturbed by what baby did with the toy (7)
• 52 For business, a turning point and you get in trouble (3,2)
• 54 Argument with a cricketer that's indeed cut short (6)
• 56 He wears uniform, but not in public (7)
• 57 Box I packed in Paris (4)
• 59 How it will do away with flies (7)
• 61 Beforehand, inspect the container (4)
• 64 Insufficient, to be concise (5)
• 66 Abhor and loathe changing the ending (4)
• 67 The gentleman using the spray (6)
• 69 As before, delighted to be here (7)
• 72 Yet the biography requires a picture (5,4)
• 73 Gosh! Got a bloody left in! (5)
• 74 Unhappy with the media, going into action (9)
• 79 Claimed the old didn't have to (4)
• 81 A 31-day demo? (5)
• 82 Don't worry. Won't under any circumstances bother about (5,4)
• 83 Curl up with the list (4)
• 85 For rises, is still effective (6)
• 86 Is it possible to get led astray by the light? (6)
• 87 Something easy to order in a café (5,2,4)

DOWN

• 1 As far as "That's where the money goes" (4)
• 2 On day four set out, or take off (6)
• 3 Fasten, as usual (6)
• 4 Smiles wryly at a girl (7)
• 5 If upset and angry at being laid off (5)
• 6 Thinking as you do, favour "cared for" (4-6)
• 7 The puppet is a big hit (5)
• 8 Listen when Len and Dan are rattling on (4,2,3)
• 9 Stiff, bend to enter the enclosure (7)
• 10 Make, in class (4)
• 11 Talk of a house the Severn flows by (8)
• 15 Tell off about it, but not much (6)
• 21 The one in love, silly girl! ... (5)
• 24 ... and the bold figure entering is the sweetheart (7)
• 25 Smart to take action, certainly (6)
• 26 Differences in the particles (6)
• 28 Leave angry and wounded (5)
• 29 Criticise for returning to have a rest (3)
• 33 Is disloyal to, proving one's not perfect (7)
• 34 One fool got caught in, due to dither (6)
• 37 Drawn to, married (5)
• 40 The middle, or centre, of the theatre is rebuilt (5)
• 41 Quickly has it changed to "Lazy and heartless" (7)

• 43 Hard to get across to? Fly (5)

• 44 Thaw out, if you put back, mister, in the heat (6)

• 46 What you cast your bread upon the waters for, love (5)
• 49 As divers, cut a figure (7)
• 51 Went round and had a drink (6)
• 53 Thin layers shown in the illustrations (6)
• 55 Either supports or turns tail (5)
• 58 How the hiker described his walks? (10)
• 60 A rookie retreating from the fight (3)
• 62 Feel, when you look round the quarters (5)
• 63 Very cheap rifle chap acquired crooked (4-5)
• 65 Their having dripped in the hot mixture previously (8)
• 68 Having advertised, heartbroken, for, endeavour to (6)
• 70 Foreign films he made (7)
• 71 Weaving the web, long to enchant (7)
• 75 Very keen to change the other figure in (3-3)
• 76 Gave the impression one had become violent (6)
• 77 A lady covered in will glitter (5)
• 78 Having a smile about the weight (5)
• 80 The one that came to a bad end had cheated (4)
• 84 In the gondola, keep dabbling in the water (4)

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6

ORIST

express.co.uk

SUDOKU

Fill the grid so that every column, row and 3x3 square includes all the digits from 1 to 9

EASY

	6		4	1	8		7
1		2				6		4
	7	4				1	8
9				2				8
2			3		7			5
7				9				6
	9	5				2	6
8		7				3		9
	1		9	4	2		5

HARD

				8	6		7
		7						6
	8			9	5
					9	8		4
6		9				1		5
8		3	1
			8	2			9
2						3
	9		6	4

DOUBLE JIGWORD

Arrange these crossword fragments to create two completed symmetrical crosswords.

L	I	N		N		S		S		U		T	A	T		L
	S		S	A	G	I	C		E	S	T	E		O	I	O	T
	T	R		G		N		E		E		A	R	Y		G
G	L	Y	R		S	M	P	O	R		I	T	E	L	S	H	A
L		O	E		P	B		U	S		N	E		L		E
Y	S	T	I		R	U	T	T	E		G	T	O	O			C
O			S		A	F	L	A		O		M	E			B
	F			I	D	I		R	E	W	S		C		M	A	K
E	R	S	S		I	T	E	M		N		P	O	R		T

ARROW WORD

The arrows show the direction in which the answer to each clue should be placed.

Beak	▼	Foot covering	▼	Fronded plant	▼	Single entity	▼	Total	▼	Unwrap	▼	Semi-aquatic mammal	▼	Battery fluid	▼	Second-hand	▼
XVIII				Goal
				▼				Make-up
								Time to relax
Every other		Paddle	▶			Unwell	▶	▼		Put money into		Strictly's top mark		Fastener		Cricket team
		Tracked down				Hatchet
		▼				▼			Meant	▶		▼		▼		▼
Wisdom	Breaker		Ladder step		Require		B&B	▶			Chapter in history	▶			Rhythm in music		Repair
	▼		▼		▼		▼		Delivery vehicle	▶	▼		Article	▶	▼		▼
													Insect
Sharp	▶					Pipes	▶					Surviving	▶
Cooker
				At any time	▶				In My TV series	▶				Males	▶
Fringed	▶					Thaws	▶					Fashion	▶

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express.co.uk

SWIT

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

5

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

Test your grasp of the facts with this general knowledge challenge.

ACROSS

1 Any native of Louisiana descended from 18th-century Acadian immigrants (5) 4 City in southern Israel; largest in the Negev desert (9) 9 US port in New York State at the eastern end of Lake Erie (7) 10 Belief that natural objects and phenomena and the universe itself possess living souls (7) 11 Tourist city in north east Hungary at the centre of a wine-producing region (4) 12 Richard _, actor who played Bertram Muffet in film comedy Carry On Loving (10) 14 Actress who played Chardonnay Lane-Pascoe in ITV drama series Footballers' Wives (5,3) 15 Charybdis' partner in Greek mythology (6) 18 City and major railway junction in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India, near the Krishna River delta (6) 19 Actress who played Tanya Branning in BBC TV soap EastEnders 2006-18 (2,6) 22 1970s ITV children's drama series starring Michael MacKenzie as Tarot (3,2,5) 24 Bryan , 2008 Olympic decathlon gold medallist (4) 26 Alessandro _, Italian sculptor whose works include the Fuga d'Attila relief and Portrait of Camillo Pamphili (7) 27 Boggs, character in Monsters, Inc. voiced by Steve Buscemi (7) 28 The scientific study of celestial bodies and the universe as a whole (9) 29 Edmund ____, Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar nominee for Mister 880 (5)

DOWN

1 Groups of gossamer threads spun by spiders (7) 2 Thomas _, US president from 1801-09 (9) 3 A tide that occurs at the first or last quarter of the moon (4) 4 A training centre for military recruits (4,4) 5 Electronic messages (1-5) 6 1985 Derby-winning horse (4,6) 7 _ Wharton, The Age of Innocence novelist (5) 8 Republic whose capital is Yerevan (7) 13 Pioneer mail courier and banking service that operated in the western US from the mid-19th century (5,5) 16 WWII US system of support for Allied nations (4-5) 17 Heavy cotton pile fabric with lengthways ribs (8) 18 Greenish-brown lizard-like reptile endemic to New Zealand (7) 20 English ventriloquist who first appeared on TV with his puppet Lord Charles in the 1960s (3,4) 21 White or unbleached cotton fabric with no printed design (6) 23 Number represented by the letters VIII in Roman numerals (5) 25 Small problem (4)

QUOTE DOWN

Drop the letters in each column to reconstruct a quote by Neil Armstrong. Words may be split across two lines.

LOGIC

Can you work out who presents each radio show?

After working at Chromatic FM for six years, Robin had finally been entrusted with scheduling the weekday radio programmes. He jotted down some notes about each radio show and the presenters who host them, and decided to finalise the schedule fully with the radio technician Kelsie.

"Popworld is the most popular show with 9 million average listeners.

I think it should be broadcast at drive time," said Robin.

"Great. I will add that into the schedule for 5pm," replied Kelsie.

"Annie's show has twice as many listeners as Ballad Hour," added Robin.

"Annie will be pleased to hear that. Shall we schedule Ballad Hour for 11am?" asked Kelsie.

"Yes that sounds like a good idea. I'm going to schedule News Talk, which is hosted by Simon, to begin four hours later than Kirsty's programme," said Robin.

"The programme hosted by Zane has more listeners than both The Big Debate and the show which is scheduled for 3pm, separately," said Kelsie.

"That's useful information. Let's schedule the show that Zane hosts for 7pm then," replied Robin.

At the end of their conversation, Robin dashed off to a meeting with his boss to present the finalised radio schedule. Can you figure out who he will announce as the host for each programme, and what time the shows are scheduled for?

	Simon	Annie	Chris	Kirsty	Zane	9am	11am	3pm	5pm	7pm	1.5 million	3 million	5 million	6 million	9 million
Ballad Hour
The Big Debate
Jazz Odyssey
News Talk
Popworld
1.5 million
3 million
5 million
6 million
9 million
9am
11am
3pm
5pm
7pm

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6

DRAFT

express.co.uk

NONAGRAM

AN UPRIGHT CITIZEN

Each column and row has a series of numbers next to it. These refer to the number of adjacent squares that should be filled in. If more than one number appears, that line will contain more than one block to be filled in. The solid blocks must appear in the order that the numbers are printed. For example, a row that contains the numbers 7,5 would contain, somewhere, a block of seven adjacent filled-in squares, then a gap of one or more empty squares and then a block of five adjacent filled-in squares. When complete, the grid will reveal a picture.

TRIVIA WORDSEARCH

Answer the questions and find the answers in the grid.

TRACK AND FIELD

1 The 1964 comedy A Shot in The Dark features which bungling police officer? (8) 2 Edward I of England was also known as the Hammer of - which nation's people? (3,5) 3 What type of rare coin features in Raymond Chandler's novel The High Window? (8) 4 Which runner is said to have run to Athens with news of the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon? (12) 5 Which group backed Smokey Robinson on his 1965 hit The Tracks Of My Tears? (3,8)

6 What was the name of the barmaid played by Shelley Long in TV sitcom Cheers? (5,8) 7 Which classical Greek sculptor is credited with creating the statue known as Discobolus? (5) 8 The ancient measurement the pole had two alternative names; the rod was one, what was the other? (5) 9 Who wrote the 1970 novella The Triple Echo, about an army deserter in the Second World War? (1,1,5) 10 Who directed the 1962 Western The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance? (4,4)

N	S	X	H	D	Z	X	C	F	A	U	R	C
J	K	E	B	E	D	G	V	H	B	A	S	V
O	R	C	D	F	B	A	D	C	X	E	W	T
H	U	W	Z	I	D	A	G	C	L	S	G	D
N	V	Y	S	B	P	J	T	C	W	U	M	R
O	I	N	T	S	M	P	A	E	L	O	H	O
O	E	R	O	V	Y	R	I	P	S	L	C	F
L	C	R	C	R	I	V	M	D	D	C	R	N
B	C	X	S	M	Y	B	V	J	I	U	E	H
U	E	Z	E	H	T	M	V	C	L	E	P	O
O	Y	H	H	Y	V	K	P	J	M	O	H	J
D	T	G	T	B	C	P	T	E	Y	Z	A	P
S	R	E	B	M	A	H	C	E	N	A	I	D

MAKING TRACKS

Numbers around the outside indicate how many squares in each row and column the track passes through between A and B. The track either passes straight through a square or turns at right angles in it.

---

express.co.uk

SWIST

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

7

BIG X SUDOKU

In Big X Sudoku, normal sudoku rules apply, but the 9x9 sudoku at the centre shares four of its 3x3 boxes with those of the outer sudokus.

ENTER VOWEL

Each clue is the answer word with the vowels removed. For example, a clue PL (4) might lead to Plea, Pile, Peal, Opal etc., but not Loop or Lope. You'll have to work out which option fits with its neighbours to complete the grid.

ACROSS

• 1 SBLS (8)
• 6 PD (4)
• 8 SKS (4)
• 9 RTFRM (3,4)
• 10 FLR (5)
• 11 NCTY (6)
• 12 RSLVS (9)
• 17 HMN (6)
• 19 NC (5)
• 21 PLT (7)
• 22 LS (4)
• 23 STY (4)
• 24 TRMRC (8)

DOWN

• 2 NSF (6)
• 3 LSS (5)
• 4 VTRS (7)
• 5 TN (5)
• 6 PLC (4,3)
• 7 NMT (6)
• 13 NWR (7)
• 14 LNGR (7)
• 15 TPT (6)
• 16 SNS (6)
• 18 VNT (5)
• 20 VD (5)

WORD GAMES

THREE LETTERS

Which three-letter word completes the following longer words?

NINER

Each number from 1 to 9 represents a different letter. Solve the clues and insert the letters in the appropriate squares to discover a word which uses all nine letters.

PYRAMID

Starting with the single letter at the top, add a new letter and rearrange to form a new word at each stage until you reach the word at the bottom. There may be more than one solution.

ANAGRAMS

Unscramble each of the phrases below to reveal the names of five types of aircraft.

ON RED

LEAP BIN

CHEER PILOT

OH, ALL-IRON BOAT!

I'M COL. RIGHT

---

8

DIST

express.co.uk

30-SECOND BRAIN TEASER

Boost your brain power with our 30-second test. Start with the number on the left and follow the instructions. Beginners should aim to complete the puzzle in 30 seconds. Intermediates should finish their own puzzle and the Beginner's puzzle. Advanced players have 30 seconds to complete their own plus the intermediate. Good luck!

BEGINNER 14	+38	25% of this	+53	7/11 of this	-15	Reverse the digits	÷6	+29	ALLOWED
INTERMEDIATE 327	-54	4/7 of this	+75	÷11	+183	75% of this	-69	÷7	ALLOWED
ADVANCED 76	Increase by 75%	+342	7/19 of this	+249	5/8 of this	-184	Take the square root	×24	ALLOWED

WORD WHEEL

You have 10 mins to find as many words as possible using the letters in the wheel. Each must use the hub letter and at least 3 others. Letters may be used only once. You cannot use plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. There is at least one 9-letter word to be found.

How you rate 15 average 20 good 25 very good 30 excellent

SOLUTIONS

CODEWORD

1=Z, 2=0, 3=0, 4=Q, 5=P, 6=W, 7=X, 8=Q, 9=Y, 10=S, 11=T, 12=E, 13=L, 14=C, 15=G, 16=U, 17=N, 18=R, 19=B, 20=H, 21=M, 22=A, 23=L, 24=K, 25=F, 26=J

HONEYCOMB

1 Ringer. 2 Nickel. 3 Leader. 4 Denude. 5 Duster. 6 Tingle. 7 Gerbil. 8 Branch. 9 Crunch. 10 Number. 11 Remove. 12 Revoke.

PATTERN MAKER

SQUARE 4. Each box is divided into sixteen squares. The sequence alternates between two sets of changes: first, the four outer quadrants are rotated by varying degrees (top left: no change, top right: 90 degrees clockwise, bottom right: 180 degrees, bottom left: 270 degrees clockwise), second, the four central squares are rotated 90 degrees clockwise.

GIANT TWO-SPEED CROSSWORD

ACROSS: 12 Nip in the air, 13 Figure, 14 Took on, 16 Blue, 17 Prime time, 18 Cider, 19 Move, 20 Southeast, 22 Staid, 23 In the dark, 27 Digging, 30 Intend, 31 Chap, 32 Tried, 35 Peer, 36 Prevent, 38 Draw, 39 Insight, 42 Shadow, 45 Endow, 46 Distant, 47 Glad, 48 Avis, 50 Rattled, 52 Cop it, 54 Debate, 56 Private, 57 Spar, 59 Swallow, 61 Case, 64 Short, 66 Hate, 67 Mister, 69 Present, 72 Still life, 73 Glory, 74 Depressed, 79 Held, 81 March, 82 Never mind, 83 Roll, 85 Stands, 86 Candle, 87 Piece of cake. DOWN: 1 Till, 2 Divest, 3 Staple, 4 Melissa, 5 Fired, 6 Like-minded, 7 Punch, 8 Lend an ear, 9 Starchy, 10 Form, 11 Converse, 15 Little, 21 Olive, 24 Darling, 25 Indeed, 26 Scraps, 28 Gored, 29 Nap, 33 Defects, 34 United, 37 Towed, 40 Heart, 41 Hastily, 43 Hover, 44 Warmth, 46 Ducks, 49 Several, 51 Lapped, 53 Plates, 55 Backs,

58 Ramblingly, 60 War, 62 Sense, 63 Half-price, 65 Hitherto, 68 Strive, 70 Flemish, 71 Bewitch, 75 Red-hot, 76 Struck, 77 Shine, 78 Grain, 80 Done, 84 Lake.

GK CROSSWORD

ACROSS: 1 Cajun, 4 Beersheba, 9 Buffalo, 10 Animism, 11 Eger, 12 O'Callaghan, 14 Susie Amy, 15 Scylla, 18 Tenali, 19 Jo Joyner, 22 Ace of wands, 24 Clay, 26 Aligardi, 27 Randall, 28 Astronomy, 29 Gwenn. DOWN: 1 Cobwebs, 2 Jefferson, 3 Neap, 4 Boot camp, 5 E-mails, 6 Slip Anchor, 7 Edith, 8 Armenia, 13 Wells Fargo, 16 Lend-tease, 17 Corduroy, 18 Tuatara, 20 Ray Alan, 21 Calico, 23 Eight, 25 Snag.

QUOTE DOWN

"I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don't intend to waste any of mine"

TRIVIA WORDSEARCH

1 Clouseau, 2 The Scots, 3 Doubloon, 4 Pheidippides, 5 The

Miracles, 6 Diane Chambers, 7 Myron, 8 Perch, 9 H E Bates, 10 John Ford

NINER

CURTAINED

THREE LETTERS

LOO, LOOM, BLOOD, SALOON, IGLOO

PYRAMID

One way is a, at, tea, rate, treat, natter, entreat, anteater, alternate

ANAGRAMS

Drone, Biplane, Helicopter, Hot-air balloon, Microlight

WORD WHEEL

coil, coils, coin, coins, collins, collusion, colon, cons, consul, conus, cool, cools, coos, cousin, icon, insoul, lino, lion, loco, locus, loin, loon, nous, oils, olio, onus, scion, scullion, silo, soil, solo, sonic, soon, soul, unco, uncoil, uncoils, uncool.

30-SECOND BRAIN TEASER

Beginner 41, intermediate 12, Advanced 216.

BATTLESHIPS

WORDSEARCH

NONAGRAM

SUDOKU EASY

SUDOKU HARD

DOUBLE JIGWORD A

DOUBLE JIGWORD B

ARROWWORD

BIG X SUDOKU

MAKING TRACKS

ENTER VOWEL

LOGIC

Radio show	Presenter	Time	Listeners
Ballad Hour	Kirsty	11am	1.5 million
The Big Debate	Annie	9am	3 million
Jazz Odyssey	Zane	7pm	6 million
News Talk	Simon	3pm	5 million
Papworld	Chris	5pm	9 million

---

ORIST

1

2026

York THE EBOR FESTIVAL DAY 1

BATTLE STATIONS: Ombudsman, Lot, Acres Constitution River in the Jeddgonte International

JUDD TRUMPS

Two of the sport's superstars go head-to-head

INSIDE

DAILY EXPRESS

TOP TV TIPS

The Scout's view: p2-3

RUNNERS AND RIDERS

Colours & cards: p4-5

HE'S IN GOOD NICH

Jack Nicholls: p6

---

2 Daily Express Wednesday, August 19, 2026

DRAFT

York आएं 2026 DAY 1 THE SCOUT'S TOP TV TIPS

Minnie defends Oaks title against Kalpana

MINNIE HAUK leads the opposition to hot favourite Kalpana in tomorrow's Group One Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained daughter of Frankel was racking up a hat-trick at the highest level - she had previously captured the Oaks at Epsom and the Irish equivalent at the Curragh - when beating Estrange for the 12-furlong test last August.

But the four-year-old, below, makes her title

By David Yates

defence on the back of Group One defeats on her last three starts, including when she returned eighth of nine behind Kalpana in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last month.

"There wasn't anything that came to light and we hope she leaves that run behind her," O'Brien said yesterday.

"The King George was a tough race and she just didn't fire on the day but she's been in good form since then."

Also among the nine declarations is Johanna Walsh, trained by O'Brien's son Joseph to a four-length win in the Irish Oaks from the reopposing inis Mor.

"It's a very hot race, which is great - it makes it a good spectacle," added the master of Ballydayle.

DAILY & EXPRESS

OFFICIAL HORSE RACING COMMENTARY AND RESULTS

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peternaughtontips

My daily phone line contains tips and information from the very best contacts in horse racing

CALL 0900 140 1005 FROM MIDDAY TODAY

Calls cost 41.50p per min plus your telephone access charge. You must be 16+. Service provider: Scawe 0333 202 3150

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RACING SERVICE

LATEST WINNERS

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DON'T MISS OUT!

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Home Oaks online

Calls cost 37.50p per min plus your telephone access charge. You must be 16+. Service provider: Scawe 0333 202 3150

O'Brien colt to prove too good for Ombudsman

CONSTITUTION RIVER (3.35) is fancied to find his flow and scupper Ombudsman's title defence in the Juddmonte International at York today.

The top class three-year-old has shown he can win races in different ways - the sign of a very good horse - as he faces the ultimate test of his skill set on the Knaveumire.

Ombudsman was unstoppable in the Prince Of The Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, beating Constitution River's stablemate Minnie Hauk by four lengths with Daryz back in third.

But Constitution River could be the best horse Ombudsman has faced at 10 furlongs, having impressed on the clock in Chester's Dee Stakes, quashed concerns about a wide draw in the French Derby and taken the Coral-Eclipse with ease.

Receiving a 7lb weight-for-age allowance from his big rival, my Aidan O'Brien-saddled selection could be ridden handier than the favourite and will hopefully be hard to peg back.

Item scooped the Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes over course and distance in July and he has improved plenty this term, but can't afford to become outpaced as he was there going up against two turf titans.

So Hawk Mountain, right, placed behind Constitution River at Chantilly and Sandown, could snatch third if it works out for him tactically.

1 ALMAQAM

Third to Calandagan and Ombudsman in the Champion Stakes at Ascot last autumn and scaled new heights in the Group One Tatteralls Gold Cup at the Curragh on his 2026 debut. Good ground and some showers at the beginning of the week are a help as found it all happening too quick in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

2 DEVIL'S ADVOCATE

Entered to do his best from the front and put pace to the 10- furlong showpiece.

3 OMBUDSMAN

Boasts a record littered with firsts including the 2025 renewal of this race, two runnings of the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and

the Dubai Turf at Meydan. Charged past front-runner Birr Castle, who was 20 lengths ahead at one point, with ease and is better than ever based on his latest performance. Likes to thunder home and it will be interesting to see where he is positioned relative to his main opponent Constitution River.

4 PRIDE OF ARRAS

Dante and Great Voltigeur winner here in 2025 and runner-up in the Sky Bet Stakes last month. Needs to pull out considerably more to hold any sort of chance.

5 ZAYDANN

Five wins at a lower level, coming home ahead of 112 and 110-rated horses in the Group Three Grand Prix de Vichy. Ombudsman,

DINNER'S WIRES

BETTING TRENDS FOR DAY ONE

PADDYPOWER.

Paul Binfield, of Paddy Power, says:

OMBUDSMAN (6-5) made top-class horses look like stations when scooping the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Juddmonte International (3.35) favourite has easily been the best supported horse stakes-ruins.

Leading pilot Ryan Moore reportedly told champion Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien

that rival

CONSTITUTION

RIVER might be the best horse he's ever ridden after his Eclipse win, but he'll need to be if the money for Ombudsman is anything to go by.

CHRISTMAS DAY (11-4) can deliver the presents in the Leger trial, the Great Voltigeur Stakes (3.00), with the Derby hero proving popular despite a subsequent reversal in the

Irish Derby. He stayed on well over the last half furlong up the Curragh hill and Friday's easier track should play to his strengths.

Another O'Brien potential star HAFFNER (6-4) is probably the best-flushed horse of the day in the Acomb Stakes (2.25), having found just 10- fussal too powerful in a better class contest at Olorious Goodwood last month.

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ORIST

3

GOING

Good

WEATHER

Light rain showers and a gentle breeze. 20C

TV & RADIO

ITV: 1.50-4.10. Racing TV: all seven races; Radio 5 Live updates

Constitution River and Item are a league above that so shows the stiff task set on what looks to be a fact-finding mission.

6 ACTION

Posted a solid run behind Item in the Dante but been pace-making lately and a change from that looks unlikely.

7 CONSTITUTION RIVER

Only a short-head from being unbeaten in six appearances and chasing a season four-timer after showing what he can do at Chester, Chantilly and Sandown. Seems really content at 10 furlongs and has the scope to go on improving, after impressing jockey Ryan Moore in the Coral-Eclipse. Can rate even higher now.

8 HAWK MOUNTAIN

Group One-winning juvenile in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, hinting at Classic potential. Has required headgear this season but moved up from a Chantilly Group Three to place twice behind Constitution River at the highest level. Another supporting role likely.

9 ITEM

Derby disappointment at Epsom the only blemish on a CV which has seen marked improvement from his maiden victory at Kempton less than a year ago. The Dante and Sky Bet York Stakes showed he is a smooth course operator and a case can be made for this son of Frankel for the race sponsors, amid a stellar season for trainer Andrew Balding.

Take speedy Lex to Blitz field in opener

By The Scout (Melissa Jones)

LEXINGTON BLITZ (1.50) is tipped to put in a high energy display in the 22-runner Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap on day one of the 2026 Sky Bet Ebor Festival.

Robert Cowell's sprinter proved to be ultra-reliable from marks in the 80s as a three-year-old, going close on a couple of occasions before leading nearly all the way in the Catterick Dash last October.

That was a Class Two event with 10 other competitors, but Lexington Blitz has subsequently shown he can be a force in bigger fields with better prize money.

Impressively off the mark for the current season at Goodwood in May, the Middleham Park Racing-owned son of Invincible Spirit led the Epsom Dash field until the final 110 yards on Derby day and was unlucky-in-running at Goodwood 22 days ago.

With no gaps opening, jockey Edward Greatrex switched right over to the far side, losing valuable ground when the race developed on the opposite flank.

If suggested the handicapper's assessment of 98 is not beyond him and he appears to be drawn handily here, in a race in which last year's 1-2-3 Trefor, The Man and Air Force One hold claims once more with the likes of the improving pair Corolla P2 on screen probabilist and Dubai Dling.

Fuel The Jet was just in front of the 90-rated Clinician and a couple of other future winners in a Newbury maiden taken by

ill-fated 2025 champion two-year-old Gewan last time.

He is a nice milling prospect for Tom Clover's team, while fellow Group Three Tottersalls, Acomb Stakes runner Gentle Hurricane cost £105,000, is entered in the Dewhurst and comes from a large pool of juveniles at

Andrew Balding's base. Haffner is the ratings topper but TREAN (2.25), who had an excuse when behind Aidan O'Brien's favourite at the Corragh in June, has a nice blend of experience and talent.

Two of trainer Paddy Twomey's three winners in Britain have come at York

and his well-regarded Bayside Boy colt travels over after racing to an eye-catching four-and-three-quarter length supremacy at the Galway Festival.

One-time ante-post Derby favourite PIERRE BONNARD (3.00) is the pick to come good in the Group Two Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes.

The son of Camelot bounced back from a disappointing seventh in the English Derby, when well-supported, to rally for third in the Irish Derby behind Benvenuto Cellini and Christmas Day, who reopposes.

Pierre Bonnard seems to have gelled with jockey Wayne Lordan and is backed to build on his promising education at Ballydoyle.

Grey stayer KIRCHNER (4.10), up 6lb for mastering a small field at Ascot, has plenty going for him in the Sky

The Justify cult only went down by half a length on the Sussex Downs and that effort can probably be upgraded as he didn't enjoy the clearest of passages.

In the opening handicap (1.50) THE MAN () has more than halved in price despite a couple of duck eggs next to his name.

He went down by a fag paper in this race off a higher handicap mark last year.

ADVERTORIAL

Dace close to comeback

JACK DACE has taken a step closer to a return to race-riding after the rising star apprentice suffered multiple injuries in a horror fall at Brighton in June.

The 18-year-old, left, who has partnered 50 winners, sustained fractured ribs, a fractured sternum and hand when Virtue Chastity, trained by Dace's father Luke, slipped and fell fatally at the East Sussex course.

By David Yates

But the jockey has passed his 'return-to-rule' test and faces a neurological examination before being cleared to make his comeback.

Dace snr reported yesterday: "Jack has passed the physical fitness part of his test - now he needs to pass the concussion test before he can get back."

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4

DIST

YOUR BUSINESS 2026 RUNNERS AND RIDERS FOR DAVID

BACKED: Bacio is the Nunthorpe favourite

Ward Baces

Bacio in deen ex

By David Yates

WESLEY WARD wants nunthorpe. Yates is a favourite Bacio is "going at easy and swimming against the best" when he moves from handicap to Group Business at York on Friday.

The three-year-old cult has been at the front of the betting for the Conference sponsored five-furlong last since he galloped to a three-and-three-quarter squaresury in the Palace of Wolverhampton. Handicap at Royal Ascot in June.

Bill Ward, below, previously a Nunthorpe Club's running-up with Acupsions in 2015 and Lady Aurelia has years later, said: "I've had horses who have been gonna be Group Bacio before the Nunthorpe this guy is going in leap and

swimming against the best.

"But he's a horse that can go quick and he will keep going - no doubt about that.

"He will not sleep and he's not a lady cradling speed, so I think York will really suit his way of exciting."

Rain is forecast for the Kanyeemans this week and Ward acknowledge that bottle ground would present an unknown for the round of than Mersandey.

"I'll be something we don't know about" added the American.

"I was around a problem for Lady Aurelia in the van the Queen after really as well ground - and this horse had the sort of feet, the sort of action, that makes me think he'll be okay."

RUNNERS IN VISOR 1 IN TONGUE STRAP 15, 12, 26, 22 (NEDY RHEED) 14, 14, 26, 25 Forecast: 5.7m Min. (6) 7.5m, 8.0m, 9.0m, 10.0m, 11.0m, 12.0m, 13.0m, 14.0m, 15.0m, 16.0m, 17.0m, 18.0m, 19.0m, 20.0m, 21.0m, 22.0m, 23.0m, 24.0m, 25.0m, 26.0m, 27.0m, 28.0m, 29.0m, 30.0m, 31.0m, 32.0m, 33.0m, 34.0m, 35.0m, 36.0m, 37.0m, 38.0m, 39.0m, 40.0m, 41.0m, 42.0m, 43.0m, 44.0m, 45.0m, 46.0m, 47.0m, 48.0m, 49.0m, 50.0m, 51.0m, 52.0m, 53.0m, 54.0m, 55.0m, 56.0m, 57.0m, 58.0m, 59.0m, 60.0m, 61.0m, 62.0m, 63.0m, 64.0m, 65.0m, 66.0m, 67.0m, 68.0m, 69.0m, 70.0m, 71.0m, 72.0m, 73.0m, 74.0m, 75.0m, 76.0m, 77.0m, 78.0m, 79.0m, 80.0m, 81.0m, 82.0m, 83.0m, 84.0m, 85.0m, 86.0m, 87.0m, 88.0m, 89.0m, 90.0m, 91.0m, 92.0m, 93.0m, 94.0m, 95.0m, 96.0m, 97.0m, 98.0m, 99.0m, 100.0m

GREE: Matthew Jindalani is committed performance to spare in the Sky Art Book Ltd. getting a day, before taking attention to a disheveling heat in the University Hall, up all, getting all German Goodwood's of the high-swimming and the perfecting quality of the 1st class. The 1st class was also a special in a series of that in that all were done. The 1st class was also a special in a series of that in that all were done. The 1st class was also a special in a series of that in that all were done. The 1st class was also a special in a series of that in that all were done. The 1st class was also a special in a series of that in that all were done.

Forecast: 4.4 Muffins, 5.5 Years, 10.0 Centivars, Alfred Wallace, 7.0mths Hurricane, 10.0kg King, 10.0kg, 10.0kg, 10.0kg, 10.0kg, 10.0kg, 10.0kg, 10.0kg, 10.0kg, 10.0kg, 10.0kg, 10.0kg, 10.0kg, 10.0kg, 10.0kg, 10.

TRACK WASTE 2026: David Luth's forecast TOP TRACK JACKET (2023-2024) 1.0m Marquard 10th Strike Low TOP TRACK TRACKER (2023-2024) 1.0m Marquard 10th Strike Low TOP TRACK TRACKER (2023-2024) 1.0m Marquard 10th Strike Low TOP TRACK TRACKER (2023-2024) 1.0m Marquard 10th Strike Low TOP TRACK TRACKER (2023-2024) 1.0m Marquard 10th Strike Low Top TRACK TRACKER (2023-2024) 1.0m Marquard 10th Strike Low Top TRACK TRACKER (2023-2024) 1.0m Marquard 10th Strike Low Top TRACK TRACKER (2023-2024) 1.0m Marquard 10th Strike Low Top TRACK TRACKER (2023-2024) 1.0m Marquard 10th

GREE: Muffins' spread has accrued all the second attempt at Newsweek (17), all first before going down by half strength in the College States (17), all of German Goodwood and its the one to lead in true alone. However, TREAN was really impressive when scoring a number of Games (17), still just month and make well worth his place at this much higher level. Fatally, hearsely, could be one of a few unknown quantities in this Hall and can progress past the times of Confusion and head Under before (17), all first Alfred Wallace. Andrew Balding, scooped this prize 10 months ago with lowest and his representative, Salisbury detail winner (6), all his Daddy Hurricane, must be respected on that basis.

RUMERS: No. 3 TONGUE STRAP No. 3. Forecast: 7.4 Muffins' Cross, 9.2 Christmas Day, 3 French Bursaws & Superior Choices, 12 Others. 2025: Pride Of Arms 9-6, Bruce Ryan (2-4) (8 Bickett), drawn (4), 7 min. GREE: The year's Betting World still might not be reintroduced as a new season of CHRISTMAS BAY. It was a 4th place of that when he really held the Saturday, Muffins Cross, and then concluded ground of Epsom. The conditions will be nowhere near as nothing in this occasion, but there are no good calls are the year to the year. Having filled out multiple times from the moment of the Betting World, I'd like to see a Betting to spread the form. That is not to be a very short time. The Betting World is a very short time. The Betting World is a very short time. The Betting World is a very short time. The Betting World is a very short time. The Betting World is a very short time. The Betting World is a very short time. The Betting World is a very short time. The Betting World is a very short time. The Betting World is a very short time. The Betting World is a very short time.

CHECK REEDS: Nos. 2, 6. Forecast: Cents Strike/dollars, 7-4 Centivars, 8-6m, 7 days, 10-Hour Mountain, 10 Almagro, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25

RUNNERS: No. 5 RISOR No. 6, 10 TONGUE STRAP. Nos. 1, 7, 11 CHECK REEDS. Nos. 1, 7, 11. Forecast: 3 Small, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.5m, 5.

YORK COURSE MAP

JACKPOT: www.totepooltiverinfo.com

GREE: Small Pry and close in a valuable handicap of German Goodwood (3rd) (4th) when having Valedictory back in a cull), Joseph (2014) is chasing way for a day to daily a 4th century with this letter. Results are specifying that these bidders which may sell this place, but the end up to 5000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Forecast: 1. Naunity Shuttles, 7. San Francis, 4. Miss Hockman, Schindinger's Cal, Manahan, 10. Deli's Gold, 12. Prahse, Dales, Dunes, 18 Others.

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5

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BLINKERS: No. 6 TONANE STUMP: No. 4 CHEEK PIECES: Nov. 18, 14, 19 Forecast: 1. Dukes Champion, 4 The Dancing Pirate, 10 Howans Spritz, East Bears Talent, Rabin's Pride, 12 Sovereign Gluys, Harlem 24, Tootsie, 14 Jubansh Gluys, Note To Self, 16 Others. 2025: Wally's Angel 6-5, Saffra Osborne 33-1 (4 Palmer), drawn (22), 19 ran.

A GOLD DCCID

By Jon Lees

MICHAEL DODS believes he has a youngster who can serve it up to the big stables at York on Friday.

In a 36-year career the Darlington trainer has made his name with top level sprinters Mecca's Angel, twice winner of the Nunthorpe Stakes, Prix de l'Abbaye winner Mabs Cross and the veteran Commanche Falls, the only horse this century to win back-to-back Stewards' Cups.

While they excelled as older horses, the trainer's newest protege is two-year-old gelding Arapaho Gold, whose record of three runs undefeated has established him as ante-post favourite for the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes.

"It's hard to say what we have but he's an exciting two-year-old who I could see improving over another furlong," says Dods.

"But we like having runners at York and the Gimcrack was the obvious race to send him to. There's some improving horses in there and it's not going to be an easy race by any means."

Arapaho Gold, bought for €42,000 as a yearling, won twice at Thirsk before stepping up in class to land the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury.

Dods has a prime asset in Gimcrack contender

He did it the hard way, having been broadsided after a furlong, to hold off Godolphin challenger Nabati by a neck.

"He was drawn wide, he took a bump early on that set him alight and then he ground it out and showed a good attitude," says the trainer.

"We sort of expected him to win first time out and then we expected him to win at

Beverley and then go to Royal Ascot in the Windsor Castle.

"It was probably a blessing that he misbehaved in the stalls at Beverley and was withdrawn, So he didn't go to Royal Ascot.

"It might have fried his brains if he'd run there and if he'd been drawn on the wrong side at Ascot it would have been a waste of time.

Instead he did the job well at Newbury," Arapaho Gold runs in the same colours as Commanche Falls, whose part-owner 82-year-old Doug Graham has been a long-time supporter of the Dods stable.

Dods said: "Doug's been involved in Commanche Falls and Dakota Gold so has had a lot of success and it's nice to get him another good one at his age.

"My wife Carole co-owns Arapaho Gold and works with me and our daughter Chloe is my assistant, so it's nice for some good ones to be coming through for her.

"To win a race like the Gimcrack would be marvellous for everyone involved, Conor Beasley, the staff, the owners and the yard and to win it at York, where we've had such a lot of success, would be the icing on the cake."

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6

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York 瘋聽晚安 2026

YOUNG JOCKEY AIMING TO BECOME

Olly opens his doors to the fans

TOP jumps trainer Olly Murphy is throwing open his doors to up to 2,000 visitors out of an eagerness to show horse racing in the best possible light.

Murphy will be joined by champion jump jockey Sean Bowen, below, at his 145-box yard at Wilmcote, near Stratford-Upon-Avon, at the event next Tuesday, one of the biggest stable visits to be staged during National Racehorse Week.

Over 10 days from August 22 to 31, 96 different racing venues across England, Scotland and Wales will be open to the public, alongside over 50 community events and three city activations held at some of England's biggest cities and landmarks.

Following the success of the racing pop-up in Chester city centre last year, three racing-themed pop-up experiences will arrive in city centres, two in Liverpool and one in Portsmouth when families who may never have visited a racecourse before have the chance to meet a racehorse.

Spaces are available for more than 15,500 people to attend public events this year, an increase on last year's figure of 14,800 free spaces available to book.

During the event there will be 111 public open days across 96 venues including: 76 training

By Jon Lees

yards, 11 studs and nine aftercare centres

Murphy has been a staunch supporter of National Racehorse Week, believing he has a duty to show the sport's commitment to horse welfare.

"We are opening our gates to an unlimited number," he said. "We are at a very important stage in horse racing and this gives the wider public an opportunity to see what we do.

"I am very keen to have the public come in and see how these horses are looked after, spend the morning with us and meet myself and the staff and see how we operate."

As well as Bowen signing brochures, Murphy will put on various demonstrations of the operation of a racing yard.

"This is not about me trying to get new business or new owners, it's just to welcome everyone into Warren Chase who might not have seen a racing yard before or even those who have," he said.

"It's important we can show off our sport and what goes on behind closed doors.

"Anyone who hasn't got the greatest perspective of how a racehorse is looked after and is very inquisitive please come along and see the love care and attention we give these horses."

"When you start your career, you almost blink and a race is over but now it feels like going through traffic in a very nice car."

Jack's first mount of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival is trained by his boss Karl Burke and the pair share the same enthusiasm for one of the closest circuits to their North Yorkshire base.

"Being a local lad it's phenomenal to be competing there," he said. "I rode Korker for the boss a few times last year and I remember the crowd being immense.

"I won on a horse called Jonny Concrete last month, he is one of my favourites as he goes to post like a pony and is push button in a race.

Nicholls aims to follow in his family's footsteps

"That was probably my best day this year."

Assisted by jockeys' agent Jack Inkpen, who is also in his twenties, Jack rode out his 5lb claim when Timely Affair became his 60th career winner at Southwell in July.

As well as having the backing of Burke, Jonny Concrete's handler Ian Jardine, Eve Johnson Houghton, Clive Cox and Hugo Palmer have lent their support.

"My agent grafts very hard," said Jack, 8st

SUCCESS: Jack has ridden more than 60 winners Photo: GBR

4lb naturally and one of the UK's top three apprentices on the Flat. "I lost my 7lb claim in the grey horse handicap at Newmarket on Clive's horse Addison Grey last summer.

"I'm lucky to be light and if I have a big meal I don't wake up any heavier. By eating foods I like I can ride stronger and sharper."

And with each race at York having a minimum prize fund of £100,000, Jack, whose sister Mia moved to America to further her career in the saddle, has one eye on the future.

"My next goal is to save up for a house," he said. "One day I'd love to be one of the top jockeys in the north.

"But what's most important to me is keeping happy and doing the daily job with a smile on my face."

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7

A FUTURE STAR IN THE NORTH

TOM MARQUAND talks York

I CAN'T WAIT TO RIDE MALTESE CROSS

YORK is a special racecourse for me, particularly given the job I have riding for William Hapras.

Being a proud Yorkshireman, York is a place William whereby targets with some of his best horses.

It's because a hugely important part of my calendar, and thankfully it's been a very fruitful one for me.

I've been lucky enough to finish as leading jockey at York. It's a world-class racecourse, attracts some of the best international horses and is a fantastic historic track that is always so well run.

GBR GREAT BRITISH RACING

One of my biggest successes there has to be Economics winning the Quale Stakes. That was a very special day.

To see him go on and win the Irish Champion Stakes afterwards was fantastic, and he was a really special horse for the yard.

I'm obviously really looking forward to getting on MALTESE CROSS. He's already a Group One winner and finished second in the Derby, so he's got

plenty of talent. He does have to carry a 5lb penalty, which isn't ideal, but that's just the way it is.

The interesting thing is that the only horse to have beaten him this year is Christmas Day, so if those two meet again it should make for a fascinating race.

Maltese Cross is an extremely talented horse and I'm very much looking forward to riding him. ■ To find out more about the 2026 Flat British Jockey's Championship, please visit greatbritishracing.com

CARLISLE RTV THE SCOUT 2.05 Guadalquivir 4.20 Sun 2.30 Alcatraz 4.55 Haroo Breadth 3.13 Why Because 5.30 KEEP AN EYE ON 3.48 Bananas IT (map) 2.05 NXT BIG THING FILLIES' NOVICE STKS 2 YD £5,400 (4) 5/1 182yds (7) 1 (1) ANGELS MOUNTAIN 1' Easterly 9.2 ... B Santos 2 (1) DIAMOND NEW BAY (2N) 4' Barley 9.2 ... S James 3 (1) 2N GUARDIUM (2T) (T) 1' Feltown 9.2 ... P Bradley 4 (1) NA BLESSON RIDGE 1' Feather 9.2 ... B McHugh 5 (1) 2N GO SLOW GLITCH (3) 4' Breeden 9.2 ... D Allan 6 (1) 3N SARA'S SILVER GIRL (2N) 6 & 8 Easterly 9.2 B Garribly 7 (2) SAYIDAN BARBRA 5' Ryan 9.2 ... T Earnes VISOR: No. 5. W-Factor: Guadalmex (90); Sarah Silver Girl (72); On So Slow Sixth (71). SP FORECAST: 2 Guadalmex, 5-2 Diamond New Bay, 9-2 Sandish Babies, 8' Northside Holes, 8' Earl's Silver Girl, 12' B's So Slow Sixth, 14' Angels' Whisky 2.38 KINGMOON FILLIES' NOVICE STAKES £6,480 (3) 5m 3/1 39yds (4) 1 (1) 4N HAVIL MILLS (3N) 1' Easterly 9.9 ... A Haden 2 (1) 5N KEEPING (3N) 8' Barley 3.9 ... P McHannan 3 (1) 2N GREEN AREA (5N) 1' Johnston 3.9 ... C Beasley 4 (1) 1ATY IN RED 1' Melane 3.9 ... D McKenney W-Factor: Peace Belle (105); Alcatraz (79); Green Area (73). SP FORECAST: 1' Coors, Alcatraz, 9' 8' Peace Belle, 10'2' Green Area, 10' Coors in Red 3.13 NORTH LAKES MAIDEN HANDICAP (DIV 1) £3,402 (6) 6/1 195yds (10) 1 (1) 4N HAY MCLANSE (9N) 1' Feather 4.9 ... D Nolan 2 (1) 5N KENEWABLE DREAM (3E) 1' Wainwright 4.9 ... S Suman(5) 3 (1) 6N KENNY'S DREAM (1R) (1) 1' Snyt 4.9 ... P McKinnon 4 (1) 3N HAY'S SANDY (2N) 1' Earl 3.9 ... P Sullivan 5 (1) 4N DIVIS JUICE (1N) 6 & 8 Easterly 9.9 ... B Garribly 6 (1) 5N BLANTON NIGHT (3N) (No) 1' Ferrell 4.9 ... D Allan 7 (1) 2N APEL DIAMOND (1R) 1' Janitor 5.9 ... A Haden 8 (1) 2N MULMING (1R) 1' Elyard 6.9 ... F McHannan 9 (1) 4N LONG SHOT (3N) 1' Easterly 6.9 ... D McKenney 10 (1) 5N BURNMAN (1R) 0' McKinnon 3.9 ... A Breeden BURNERS: No. 9 TONGUE STRAP: No. 8 CHEEK PIECES: No. 9, 10 VISOR: No. 1. W-Factor: April Diamond (4R); Nevin's Dream (64); Long Shot (64). SP FORECAST: 3' Beaver's Dream, 2'2' Why Because, 9-2' Long Shot, 6' Earn's Sandal, 6' Brownsville Dream, 12' Zaus Juice, April Diamond, 14' Blastone Night, 14' Others 3.48 NORTH LAKES MAIDEN HANDICAP (DIV 2) £3,402 (6) 6/1 195yds (9) 1 (1) 4N STONEFIRELL (3N) (Seal) 1' Johnston 6.9 ... T Earnes 2 (1) 5N 2ND APPLE JACK (2N) 6 & 8 Easterly 4.9 ... B Garribly 3 (1) 2N 3NUTS (1R) (2) 2'3' Coaster 3.9 ... S James 4 (1) 4N 3D DARKMAN (3R) (Seal) 1' Beaver 3.9 ... D Russell 5 (1) 2N MY HAIRMAN (1R) (1) 1' Father 3.9 ... C Beasley 6 (1) 2N 7N TAND MAGO (1R) 1' England 3.9 ... S Shaw Snyt 7 (1) 2N 12PHOENIE DANCER (1R) 6 & 8' Fyster 3.9 ... E Tindall(5) 8 (1) 2N 13S OLD NICOLA (2R) 0' 6' Barrier 4.8 ... N Pyle 9 (1) 3L AURED KANNER (1R) 1' Easterly 3.9 ... D McKenney VISOR: No. 5 TONGUE STRAP: No. 6 CHEEK PIECES: No. 9 VISOR: No. 1, 4. W-Factor: Tags Mags (64); Sapience Dancer (67); Big Apple Jack (66). SP FORECAST: 9-4 (No) 1' Nevin's, 9-2' Big Apple Jack, 1' Earnes, 5' Sapience Dancer, 10' Linder, 12' Our Nevin's, Tags Mags, 14' Stoneywell, 25' April Ranger

NEW IN RIVERBACK THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER THE OUNSEL STORY OF MY LIFE IN BUSINESS AND WOMENING TRADESACK THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER THE OUNSEL STORY OF MY LIFE IN BUSINESS AND WOMENING TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK TRADESACK **TRADESACK $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00

Lifeplan all set for Group One

DECLAM CARROLL is under no illusions about the size of the task facing Lifeplan in the City of York Stakes on Saturday - but is hoping his colt can spring a shock back at the scene of his Gimcrack win. A combination of a tooth infection and a poor scope prior to a planned run at Royal Ascot have restricted the son of Kodi Bear to just one outing since his success on the Knaveemire 12 months ago. But that third-placed effort, trying to make all in the Listed Queensferry Stakes at Chester but overhauled close home, should put the three-year-old spot on for a crack at the seven-furlong Group One at the weekend. "He ran a good race in the Queensferry,

By Melissa Jones as he hadn't run in nearly a year - but I think the draw on the day beat him, said Walton trainer Carroll, below. "But it was good to get him back on the track and it will bring him on a bit. We are expecting a good run, but we're not under any illusions that it is a Group One race. "He got an infection in a tooth that had to come out and that knocked him back quite a bit. "He was going to go to Ascot and then a scope just a week before wasn't right so we had to abort that. Lifeplan is 20-1 for the City of York, with Notable Speech the 7-2 favourite.

THE UNTOLD, INSIDE STORY OF MY LIFE AT RANGERS FC AND IN BUSINESS ON SALE FROM ALL GOOD BOOKSHIPS AND AMAZON AMAZON

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6

D0127

YORK METROPOLITAN 2026

WORCESTER ESR

THE SCOUT

6.52 - HANSON RIVER 1.00 (Fairbrink Leapier) 5.33 W. Montology, 2.38 (Good Day) 6.03 Sapphire Water, 6.08 Masonry 1.00 6.38 Square 9'8d6m

5.02 COPPET HANDICAP CHASE

6.00 (H. 2016) (4) 2m 7f (6 declared)

Max 1. Brackford(7)