Nathan Collins scored 22 points as England came through a testing final warm-up for the Wheelchair Rugby League Ashes to beat Queensland 72-60 on the Sunshine Coast.
Leeds Rhinos pivot Collins scored two tries and landed seven goals as Tom Coyd’s side had to come back from an early 12-6 deficit against competitive hosts.
Wheels of Steel winner Joe Coyd scored three of England’s 13 tries, and added a goal, as they followed up their 86-10 win over New South Wales in last Friday’s tour opener.
Mason Billington and Luis Domingos both scored twice, with one try each for Rob Hawkins, tour captain Lewis King, Seb Bechara and Finlay O’Neill. Wayne Boardman added a goal to the tally.
For Halifax Panthers youngster O’Neill it was a first international try, and he was watched by his father and grandmother, who have travelled from Yorkshire for the tour’s early stages.
Queensland included several players who are set to feature for Australia against England later this week, including Zac Schumacher, who scored five of their tries, and Bayley McKenna, who converted all nine of his goal attempts.
Dan Anstey and Adam Tannock scored twice for the hosts and Pete Arbuckle once, with their other goal coming from Jack Kruger.
England face a two-Test series against Australia on the Gold Coast, with the first match on Thursday and the second on Sunday.
David Ball of Soft Cell, whose delectably sleazy synth-pop arrangement drove that English duo’s 1981 hit “Tainted Love” to the top of the U.K. singles chart, died Wednesday. He was 66.
The producer’s death was announced in a post on Soft Cell’s website, which didn’t state a cause but said that Ball died at his home in London. On Facebook, the duo’s singer, Marc Almond, wrote that Ball’s health “had been in slow decline over recent years” due to an unspecified illness.
“It is hard to write this, let alone process it, as Dave was in such a great place emotionally,” Almond said on Soft Cell’s site. “He was focused and so happy with the new album that we literally completed only a few days ago. It’s so sad as 2026 was all set to be such an uplifting year for him, and I take some solace from the fact that he heard the finished record and felt that it was a great piece of work.”
Ball and Almond performed as Soft Cell at last month’s Rewind Festival in England; the LP they’d just wrapped is set to be titled “Danceteria” after the New York City nightclub that became an incubator of new wave and synth-pop in the early ’80s.
Soft Cell was an “experimental electro band [writing] weird little pop tunes about consumerism,” as Almond told the Guardian in 2017, when the duo decided to record a cover of “Tainted Love,” which the soul singer Gloria Jones had introduced to little success in 1964.
Ball devised his take on the song using his “dodgy old Korg synths” as well as a state-of-the-art Synclavier that cost more than £100,000, according to the Guardian. Soft Cell’s cover felt “twisted and strange,” Ball said, which suited the “weird couple: Marc, this gay bloke in makeup, and me, a big guy who looked like a minder.”
With Almond’s panting vocal over Ball’s sexy yet sinister production, “Tainted Love” hit No. 1 in the U.K. the same year as the Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me” and “Prince Charming” by Adam & the Ants. In the U.S., “Tainted Love” peaked at No. 8 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1982.
Today the song has been streamed more than 1 billion times on Spotify, kept alive in part by Rihanna’s prominent sample of “Tainted Love” in her 2006 hit “SOS.”
Ball was born May 3, 1959, in Chester, England, and grew up in an adoptive family in Blackpool. He and Almond formed Soft Cell in 1979 after meeting as students at Leeds Polytechnic, where Almond was known for a performance art piece in which “he’d be naked in front of a full-length mirror, smearing himself with cat food and shagging himself,” Ball told the Guardian.
The duo released its debut album, “Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret,” in 1981, then followed it with two more LPs before splitting in 1984. “Few groups took as much pleasure in perversity,” said Rolling Stone, which called “Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret” a “conceptual salute to the sex industry.” In 2022, Pitchfork said the duo’s debut offered “a snapshot of pre-AIDS queer life at its heady peak.”
After Soft Cell’s breakup, Ball collaborated with Genesis P-Orridge of Throbbing Gristle and formed a dance group called the Grid with the producer Richard Norris; he also worked in the studio with the likes of Kylie Minogue, the Pet Shop Boys and David Bowie.
Soft Cell reunited in 2001 and again in 2018; the statement on the band’s website said “Danceteria” would come out in early 2026. According to the statement, Ball’s survivors include four children.
Amy Jones’ unbeaten 86 runs off 92 balls helps England to an eight-wicket win over New Zealand with twenty overs to spare in their final group stage match at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match in Visakhapatnam, India.
While Brook has had two weeks in New Zealand, Root, Smith and fellow opener Ben Duckett were in the middle for the first time in more than six weeks.
The two remaining matches in this series, plus the one warm-up in Australia, will be their only further opportunities to find form before the first Test on 21 November.
Four runs combined for three players so crucial to England’s hopes is clearly not ideal but significant credit must be given to New Zealand’s new-ball bowlers.
Henry began the match with a delivery that jagged back significantly to bowl Smith through the gate and barely relented with his accuracy throughout his opening spell of eight overs.
Playing only his second ODI, Zak Foulkes was highly impressive and found 0.96 degrees of seam movement plus 1.99 degrees of swing in the first 10 overs – a significant jump from the recent average of 0.89 and 1.41 respectively at this ground.
Duckett nicked a Foulkes ball from round the wicket that angled in before moving away and Root was bowled by a hooping inswinger, albeit one not full enough for his booming drive.
Perhaps the 23-year-old’s best delivery was saved for Jacob Bethell.
The left-hander looked to play another from Foulkes straight down the pitch but was bowled when the ball swung away late to beat his outside edge.
It left Bethell helpless as he tried to apply more pressure to Ollie Pope’s position as Test number three.
Twenty-two years later, same story. Australia picked up where they left off in their domination of the rugby league Ashes.
After a tense opening 20 minutes of the first series since 2003, the Kangaroos opened the scoring against England with their first flowing move of the contest.
Debutant Mark Nawaqanitawase shifted the ball left for rampaging full-back Reece Walsh to go over in style.
England were unhappy as scrum-half Mikey Lewis appeared to be tripped in the build-up, and there looked to be a forward pass too – but the try was given following a review by video referee Jack Smith.
Smith partly redeemed himself to the Wembley crowd by disallowing a second Australia try before the break as Dom Young was taken out by Josh Addo-Carr as he jumped to catch a high kick.
Shaun Wane’s side initially responded well to conceding and defence-splitting grubber kicks from George Williams and Tom Johnstone had the green and gold defence on their heels.
But Cleary added a penalty with the last action of the first half to put Australia 8-0 up – and they extended the lead straight after the interval.
After putting the hosts under constant pressure from the restart, Angus Crichton strode through to score with full-back Jack Welsby too deep and allowing him to go through far too easily.
Australia kept England at arm’s length thereafter, easing their way to victory in the first meeting between the sides since the 2017 World Cup final.
That success was secured with 15 minutes remaining as second row Crichton scythed through the defence again, and more gloss was added when a superb field-length move down the left was finished by the impressive Walsh.
Daryl Clark barged over in the final minutes for England, but it was no more than a consolation.
A downside for the visitors was that captain Issah Yeo was forced off in the first half after failing a head injury assessment following a clash with Young. He will also miss the second test next week at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.
Former England footballer Alex Scott has reportedly been lined up by ITV bosses to star in this year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and is said to be in ‘advanced talks’
23:00, 24 Oct 2025Updated 23:00, 24 Oct 2025
Alex Scott is reportedly heading to the jungle for this year’s I’m A Celebrity(Image: Getty Images)
A former England football star turned TV presenter is reportedly in “advanced talks” with ITV bosses to appear on this year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.
Alex Scott, a former Lioness, who has been in a relationship with singer Jess Glynne since 2023, looks set to fly out to Australia after impressing ITV bosses.
According to reports, Alex is keen to show the British public a different side to her personality as they only see her in a professional manner.
A source recently revealed to The Sun: “Alex loves pushing herself out of her comfort zone and where better to do it than the jungle? The public know her as a sportswoman and a serious broadcaster so she thinks she can show people a side to her that they’ve never seen before. “
They added: “Alex is game for anything and is a tough cookie so she’s ready for anything that gets thrown at her — literally.”
Alex recently caused a stir after it emerged that she was considering leaving BBC’s Football Focus, which she joined in 2021, after she was blamed for a drop in viewing figures after replacing Dan Walker.
Another source said: “Alex felt deeply hurt by the unfair criticism, she felt like she had been thrown under the bus. The viewing figures were not as reported and she feels no-one backed her up and issued the correct viewing figures.”
However, ITV refuse to conform reports. A show spokesman told the Mirror: “Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here are just speculation.”
Other names thrown into the mix include actresses Shona McGarty and Lisa Riley, Kelly Brook, Vogue Williams, rapper Aitch, YouTube star Morgan Burtwistle, better known as Angry Ginge, and radio host Nick Ferrari.
Alex’s personal life has been a talking point after it emerged that she was in a relationship with singer Jess Glynne.
But the football pundit revealed that she found it difficult to show emotion after living in an abusive household.
She has described her father as being “stupidly cruel”, and revealed to The Times that he was physically and mentally abusive. This claim has been strongly denied by her father.
She told the publication in March this year: “We weren’t allowed to express emotion. Dad didn’t allow us to hug each other or say ‘I love you’. It had a huge impact on us all.
“To this day, if I want to show people love, I’ll do it by taking them out to dinner and paying. I remember one of the first times Jess hugged me. I was like… [rigid]. She was like, ‘Are you not going to put your arms around me?’ But I didn’t know how to do that.”
On hearing the allegations made about him, her father responded at the time and said: “I have no idea why she’s saying all this stuff. I was raised in a strict but loving Jamaican family and Alex should know what they are like. I taught her discipline, I did a lot to help her.”
THE south of England has some incredibly popular beaches, and one is getting even bigger in time for next summer.
From next month, work is starting on the beach in Brighton and Hove to protect it from erosion and that’s great news for holidaymakers – because let’s face it… size matters.
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The beach at Hove in East Sussex is getting bigger to prevent erosionCredit: AlamyRenders reveal what the beach will look like after the extension
Brighton and Hove is a one of the busiest spots in the UK with 11 million people visiting every year.
Worries about flooding and erosion across the busy Brighton and Hove seafront have led to new plans involving adding new groynes and extending the shingle beach.
Starting in late November or early December, a new groyne field will be built on the beach between the King Alfred Leisure Centre and Second Avenue in Hove.
The new timber groynes will be supported by filling the bays between each one with thousands of tonnes of shingle – which has been dredged from a site in the English Channel.
Effectively, this will slow the movement of shingle along the coastline, helping to protect the area from flooding and erosion.
It will also reduce the amount of shingle which washes up onto the promenade during storms and high tides.
What’s probably more interesting for tourists is that the plans will see the beach extended by approximately 25 metres out to sea.
Not only does this mean the beach will be better protected, but it will create more room for tourists during busy seasons.
There’s a public engagement event taking place today (23 October) so locals can learn more about this phase of the scheme.
The work is scheduled to finish next year so by summer.
Following that, the next phase of the plan is the rebuilding of sea defences on Southwick beach which is set to be complete in 2027.
Brighton & Hove is one of the most popular seaside towns – especially during the summerCredit: AlamyThe shingle beach will grow by around 25metres in sizeCredit: Alamy
Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport and public realm, said: “This scheme is vital for the city, to safeguard homes and businesses from coastal flooding and protect our local economy for decades to come. By taking action now, we will help make our city more climate resilient and able to adapt to increasing storms, extreme rainfall and rising sea levels.
“We are committed to value for money to deliver the best for our city. £4.5 million is a substantial sum but our local visitor economy alone is worth £5 billion.”
The project has seen the construction of a skate and pump track, padeltenniscourts, and a new tennis pavilion which opened last year.
The project has focused on creating landscaped gardens and making new pathways at a cost of £13.7million.
There will be an official opening in spring 2025 when the majority of the project will be complete.
Brighton and Hove isn;t just about the beach though.
It’s also famous for shopping in The Lanes, Brighton Palace Pier, beachfront, and the Royal Pavilion.
There’s lots of nightlife, and plenty of pubs – in fact, Brighton & Hove has the most pubs in the UK per person.
Sun Travel‘s favourites include The Station Inn, The Tempest Inn and Hove Place, which has a beautiful Italian-inspired garden.
Brighton is also home to Volk’s Electric Railway, which is the world’s oldest operating electric railway – and it’s right on the front of Brighton Beach.
It’s been operating since 1883 which makes it over 140 years old and is still going today.
It’s more relaxed, still with a pretty pebble coastline and blue waters, but much quieter. On Friday afternoon, just under two hours from my home in Hertfordshire, I hit Brighton.
The seaside town that everyone knows and loves for its sea lanes, pop-up market stalls, quirky creatives and music scene.
It was immediately quieter with a notable absence of Brighton’s squawking seagulls. Hove still retains its beach charm, and in fact, it’s recently been named one of the best seaside towns to live in.
Almost as soon as I hit Hove, I discovered a gem of a beach club called Rockwater.
Rustic-looking on the outside, Rockwater completely blends in with its surroundings with wooden slatted exterior, huge glass windows, and the inside is spectacular.
It has plush chairs, a beautiful bar and a holiday-like atmosphere – imagine the sun shining through open windows, the clinking of glasses and happy tourist chatter.
You might think beach bars are just for summer, but this one has lots of activities all year round from relaxing yoga to book socials, sip and paint – and of course, plenty of Christmas fun.
CHRISTMAS markets sound fun and cosy, walking around cobbled streets with a cup of mulled wine and gazing up at twinkling light – but no one enjoys doing that in the pouring rain.
But there’s one place in the UK that has an incredible light trail, plenty of food, ice skating and it’s all inside.
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The Biomes at the Eden Project light up during the Christmas periodCredit: The Eden ProjectThere are light trails but you won’t be getting rained on here – in fact it’ll be warmCredit: The Eden Project
During the day, the Eden Project in Cornwall is home to beautiful famous tropical gardens showing off exotic plants and flowers.
But come 4pm from the end of November, it turns into a winter wonderland where kids can meet Father Christmas and families can skate across the indoor ice rink.
The Biomes look like huge baubles from the outside lit up on reds and greens, and this year, there’s a new Christmas Light Experience inside the Mediterranean Biome.
The Rainforest dome will be lit up with rainbow lights behind the palm trees and waterfall.
Father Christmas will be there too along with his elves, and families can meet them during a 45-minute experience.
It’s completely immersive, with ‘theatrical surprises’ and children get a gift too.
The ice rink is back as well and is also under cover so there’s no chance of bad weather ruining the experience, and there’s plenty of opportunity to munch on festive food too.
The cafes and restaurants will serve up winter warming snacks and drinks on Christmas Lights evenings – most will close at 7.15pm.
There will be everything from hearty family meals to mince pies and mulled wine.
Also available is the chance to book a luxury three-course Christmas lunch which will be served on the Med Terrace Restaurant.
Visitors can meet with Father Christmas and his elves in a 45-minute immersive experienceCredit: The Eden ProjectFamilies can go ice skating, which is also inside to avoid the cold weatherCredit: The Eden Project
Bookings for the festive lunch, include free entry to the Eden Project.
For most Christmas experiences you’ll have to wrap up, but make sure to be prepared for warmth if you visit.
During the Christmas events, the domes maintain their usual warm temperatures – especially in the humid Rainforest Biome which can reach up to 35C.
There are some areas that are outside still so it’s advisable to bring a coat too.
This year the Cornwall Christmas Market will return to the Eden Project for two days only, November 19-20, 2025.
There will be 70 stalls set up so you can get Christmas treats and stocking fillers.
Entry to the domes for the Christmas lights between 4-8PM requires two tickets – the standard entry at £38 (for adults if bought in advance) and the specific Christmas experience which is £5.50pp.
Visiting Father Christmas also requires standard entry along with the experience ticket which is £32 – entry for one adult and one child.
The ice rink is open from now until February 2026, visitors can book a general skate session which is 40-minutes long and costs £13 for adults and £10 for children.
There are also family-fun session on selected mornings, parent & toddler ice play and even ice skating lessons.
A glimmer of hope, a door creaked slightly ajar, a creeping sense of “what if” drifting through the crowd and the commentary box – but in the end, Australia win.
This was England’s long-awaited Ashes reunion, their first competitive meeting since the ill-fated 16-0 drubbing.
In some ways, this was a free hit, considering the fact that a semi-final spot at the Women’s World Cup had already been secured for both teams.
Throughout the tournament, England have shown – despite being far from perfect on occasions – that this is not the same dejected England that left the Melbourne Cricket Ground back in February, having barely left a scratch on their opponents – let alone a punch.
Against their great rivals in Indore, they had spells where they competed – again, something that was nothing more than a pipe dream at the beginning of the year.
Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont dominated the first eight overs, cashing in as the Australian seamers bowled too wide and lacked control.
Alice Capsey played an enterprising cameo to get England to 244, which always felt below par, but when Lauren Bell removed Phoebe Litchfield’s off stump with a beauty and Georgia Voll and Ellyse Perry were dismissed shortly after, England were in unfamiliar territory.
They were favourites.
But against a team of such greatness, a line-up littered with stardom from one to 11 and the three left on the bench, you cannot and will not win a game in moments.
England learned a harsh lesson in Indore. They have improved massively in the field, they look fitter, they look a more cohesive unit willing to fight and scrap for everything.
Still, you can do all of that, and still be outplayed. You can take four top-order wickets for 68 runs and the next two will add a chanceless 180 between them, turning a wobble into a crushing victory with nearly 10 overs to spare.
England’s unbeaten run came to an end, ever so predictably, with a bump down to earth dealt by Australia.
IT’S good enough for Thomas Tuchel and Sarina Wiegman, and it’s every football fanatic’s dream stay.
Think signed England memorabilia on the walls, a private, outdoor heated cinema, and a training session to put any baller to the test with an experienced FA coach.
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Football fans can rejoice at the Hilton’s Suite CarolineCredit: RFPOne of the best bits was the private, outdoor and heated cinemaCredit: RFP
Earlier this month, I checked into the all-new ‘Stay Like The England Teams’ Suite – an immersive fan experience at Hilton at St George’s Park, the official training ground of the England Football Teams.
I stayed in the same room the England managers like to stay in when they’re preparing for the world’s biggest tournaments at St George’s Park, and it’s adequately named ‘Suite Caroline’ in partnership with Hilton as part of a partnership with The Football Association.
After having your bags taken to your room, and arriving at the self-same entrance the Lionesses use, you already feel like a superstar ready to give the social media intern a fist bump and grab a Lucozade for an extra energy boost.
You’ll need it present when you sign your contract and pose for a polaroid photo, commemorating the day you joined up with the squad for the first time.
Once you’re all signed on, it’s up to ‘Suite Caroline’, with a red carpet leading you into a real footballing paradise of a room.
Scan your room key and enter the hallway, lined with shirts of Harry Kane, Alex Scott and Ian Wright, signed of course, and from iconic moments in Three Lions history.
The luxe room spread beyond you features a sofa that transforms into a bed for extra guests, with an England coffee table, a mini-fridge stocked with refreshments, and a vast flat-screen TV – which I flicked straight onto the highlights of Tuchel’s latest flawless victory.
To your left is the bedroom, packed with more memorabilia, including a Harry Kane boot, an England Nike football, two England T-shirts, Two Hilton x England bath robes, an eye mask, and slippers—all yours to keep.
It’s a true credit to Hilton’s footballing experience though, that even this incredible bedroom wouldn’t be the main attraction to fans.
I was put through my paces by an experienced FA coachCredit: UnknownBut afterwards got to relax in the on-site spa and poolCredit: Unknown
That of course, is the private, outdoor, heated cinema opposite your room – decked out with a choice of footie cult classics, from Bend it Like Beckham, to GOAL, to She’s The Man.
Don’t fancy a movie? Load up the PS5 and whack open FC26 to take on your rivals for the day overlooking the very pitches where Bellingham and co. rifle shots into the top corners in training.
As part of the stay, guests will enjoy player-inspired meals at the hotel (more on that later) and will have an exclusive opportunity to train like their favourite players, with a training session at the National Football Centre, led by experienced FA coaches.
So, as Sun Sport’s answer to Cole Palmer, I was escorted by buggy to Hilton’s St George’s Park pitch, changed into my boots, and got ready to put my skills to the test.
It’s safe to say the coach didn’t go easy on me, and as someone who has watched the world’s best train, he knew how to put me through my paces.
Gone were the days of a lap of the pitch, this was an intense, on-ball session that tested my passing, dribbling, first-touch, and of course, my shooting.
Exhausted, sweaty, and grateful to my coach for the day, I’d earned my shower, a bit of time to decompress and some recovery time.
I wasn’t sure, however, that I’d earned a shower THIS nice, in such a stunning bathroom.
Perfectly lit, with a range of soaps in smells and flavours that could only be concocted by a botanist, the rainfall shower kept me enclosed for way longer than planned.
I was helped by the fact that I was provided with a high-end Bluetooth speaker for a sing-along that was England international initiation worthy – Price Tag by Jessie J if you must know.
The hotel experience means you can live out your fantasy as living like pro-footballerCredit: Lloyd Canfield
Refreshed and rejuvenated, in the best of spirits – dinner called for just that, the best of spirits – this time in the form of a glass of white wine.
Available is a myriad of food options, perfect whether you’re an aspiring pro player looking to load up on protein for recovery, or if you’re well past it and fancy the well-earned taste of local meats cooked to perfection.
I opted for a ‘powerhouse striker‘s’ choice, a grilled fillet of beef with roasted garlic mash and glazed baby vegetables with red wine jus – though it must be said the Captain’s Chicken Goujons on the Junior Kick Off almost tempted me in.
After heading back to my room to watch GOAL! in the outdoor cinema, I enjoyed a peaceful night’s sleep in a huge, cosy bed and dreamt a little more of linking up with Cole Palmer to score the winner in the World Cup Final for England next summer.
The next morning bought the kind of recovery the England stars get to enjoy regularly, with use of the on-site gym, spa, and pool – used by a range of England teams when they stay on-site.
An 11am check-out meant it was time to return to my reality of being a sports journalist rather than being one of the stars I spend so long writing about, but I was glad to finally know how it must feel to be one of the most talented in the country at something.
The suite is the latest in Hilton’s ‘Stay Like’ specials, inviting guests to relax like their favourite stars in immersive suites.
The ‘Stay like a footballer’ experience is available on selected dates from November-January 2026 for £650 (for four).
Previous suites have included Stay Like Wicked at the New York Hilton Midtown, the Stay Like An Infinite Icon at the Beverly Hilton in LA, and the Stay Like McLaren Racing at The Trafalgar St James’ in London.
Australia beat England in the 2022 World Cup final and are bidding for a record-extending eighth title.
Healy faces a race against time to recover for the semi-finals with the first scheduled for 29 October in Guwahati or Colombo and the second due to take place the following day in Mumbai.
The 35-year-old, who made her Australia debut in 2010, has endured a difficult time with injuries in recent years.
She missed the final group game of the T20 World Cup in 2024 and was unavailable for their semi-final loss to South Africa with a plantar fascia issue.
Healy also missed large periods during the 2024-25 season with knee and foot problems keeping her sidelined for the majority of the Sydney Sixers’ WBBL campaign, an ODI series against India, the T20 leg of the Ashes and a T20 tour of New Zealand.
She returned from injury in August to play six white-ball matches for Australia A against India A in Queensland, before being named in the World Cup squad.
With spooky season upon us, John Ellis settled down for a night with the ghosts and ghouls at Chillingham Castle
21:29, 20 Oct 2025Updated 21:30, 20 Oct 2025
John spends a sleepless night at Chillingham Castle
As I switched off the light and climbed into bed, I trembled with fear. I was spending the night with the ghosts and ghouls at Britain’s most haunted castle – Chillingham, in Northumberland. I’ve loved all things spine-chilling for as long as I can remember. Horror films, ghost tours – I can’t get enough. That said, I have to say, lying in the dark in a place where people experience the paranormal on a daily basis, I did begin to wonder what I’d got myself into. Would there be a bump in the night? Only time would tell. But with Halloween just around the corner and spooky season in full swing, there was never a better time to find out.
Chillingham Castle dates back to the 13th century, although there’s been evidence of occupation on the site for 4000 years. It used to be a stronghold which protected England from Scotland and has therefore seen its fair share of violence. And it’s grim and grisly past lives on to this day with regular reported visits from beyond the grave.
“Chillingham has had many turbulent times and a fair amount of Scottish prisoners met their end here,” Richard Craig, Chillingam’s ghost hunt guide, tells me. “Then, when the castle moved into domestic matters and became more of a gentleman’s manor, there were a lot of staff coming in and out, along with all the aggravations of the time. They have embedded themselves in the walls of the place too. Along with nearby burial sites, there seem to be lines of energy at Chillingham which make it a meeting place for the moved on.”
Richard sees spooks all the time. “We’ve had some pretty curious occurrences. I could sit and talk to you all week. Yes, I’ve seen ghosts. It goes on day and night. On Wednesday I observed three different apparitions. One of them, it was raining at 4.30pm in the afternoon, on the south lawn. It lasted about five seconds and then it was gone. They like stairways too, areas of passage.”
Not all supernatural encounters are visual, he says. “Some you see, some you don’t. You might simply sense their presence. You might get a funny feeling, or one of sadness. There could be a strange smell. Lady Mary for example smells of roses, while the ghost of Crawling Key smells of rotten cabbage.”
Some are friendly, some are not. “Some have a sense of humour,” says Richard. “Simon the stone mason, he’s a shoulder tapper. He likes to mess about with men with tufty hair at the back. Crawling Key however goes for ladies’ ankles.”
Some of Chillingham’s ghosts lived there, some worked there. “One came through on a ghost listening app and told me his name – Booey – and I then found his name in one of the old books on site. He held quite a high position on the estate.”
On my arrival through the grand castle gates I had an uneasy feeling immediately. You could almost feel the history weighing on you in the courtyard. Chatting to Richard, it seemed I was not alone – in every sense of the saying. “The courtyard is haunted by the executioner… and a man named John,” he tells me. “If you go out after dark, chances are you’ll meet him – and the rest of our resident ghosts.”
Beside me, I could feel the regret radiating from my friend Glen for agreeing to come with me on my trip to Chillingham. “Why did I agree to this?” he muttered on a frequent basis throughout. But – sorry Glen! – it was too late to back out now. Richard advised us to download a couple of apps to enhance our paranormal experience. I know, right? Very high tech for a ghoul. But Ghost Talker Lite and Spirit Box, Richard said, would help us to communicate with any of the deceased who wished to make our acquaintance.
And later, ghost John did indeed come through. “John. Danger. Weapon…” the words popped up on the app. My twin, Stu, who had also come along for the ride, bristled at the encounter. Did he mean I – John – was in danger? Or he – also John – was in danger? I couldn’t be sure, but for one of us was impending peril. It sent a shiver down my spine knowing a ghost was so nearby.
Feeling spooked, we decided to walk around the castle grounds for some mental respite. However, we found none, instead chancing upon the castle’s Hanging Trees, a tangled mess of tumbled-over yews, the branches on which intruders and prisoners were once – as the name suggests – hung, until their flesh fell off their bones. How lovely. A clear night, the moon was out. A gentle breeze through the trees made an eerie creaking sound. Chilled to my core, I couldn’t get away fast enough.
So… do most people make it through their night at Chillingham Castle? I have to say it wasn’t looking good for the three of us. “The amount of runners I’ve had is unbelievable, lots of people chicken out,” laughs Richard. “One group of seven, we’d only been going 90 minutes and they couldn’t take any more. One of them kept getting poked in the ribs by a ghost and another was being pushed around. Even the tea room is haunted.”
I tell Richard where we’re staying in the castle – The Tower Apartment. “Ah yes, that is haunted,” he says. Glen nearly passes out. Stu turns pale. Richard continues: “In 2022, I stayed over, went to the bathroom, I was just about to turn the tap on, and a girl’s voice said ‘hello’. I had a good look around – no one.” So far, so terrifying.
And indeed, it was a fitful night’s sleep to say the least. Glen slept with the light on. Stu was unbothered and snored his way til morning. And me? Every sound I heard, every bang or bump, I wondered if it was a paranormal pest… or simply the castle’s ancient plumbing playing up. Dawn seemed to take an age to come, and when it did arrive I was grateful. We rose wearily, looked about the room, and began to pack our things. I had survived my night in Britain’s most haunted castle – just.
*Apartments at Chillingham Castle start from £139 for two people for one night
England rallied to secure their semifinal spot at the World Cup while India’s defeat jeopardises their last-four chances.
England dug in for a four-run victory over India to clinch a semifinal spot at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup on Sunday, leaving the tournament co-hosts in a five-way contest for the remaining place in the final four.
Chasing a winning target of 289, India stumbled from a position of strength to fall just short as they were restricted to 284-5 in their 50 overs.
India were on course for victory for much of their innings – Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 88, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur hit a run-a-ball 70.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt picked up 2-47 and left-arm spinner Linsey Smith bowled a tight spell of 1-40 in 10 overs, including the key wicket of Mandhana, to apply the brakes on the home team and help pull off a stunning win.
It was India’s third straight loss – following defeats to Australia and South Africa – and stunned the home crowd at Holkar Stadium.
This was after England opted to bat first and posted 288-8, with Heather Knight contributing 109 off 91 balls.
England joined defending champions Australia and South Africa in the semifinals with a fourth win in five games. The four-time champions next play Australia on Wednesday at the same venue.
India are still fourth with four points from five games and need a massive turnaround in form against New Zealand on Thursday and Bangladesh on Sunday in their remaining two group games.
“Smriti’s dismissal was the turning point,” Kaur said. “We had sufficient batting to finish the game, but I don’t know how things went the other way. Credit to England – they kept bowling well and kept getting wickets.”
Co-hosts Sri Lanka take on Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai on Monday.
England’s Linsey Smith, right, celebrates after taking the key wicket of Mandhana for 88 during the India run chase [Ajit Solanki/AP Photo]
India come close
The chase did not get off to the best start. Pratika Rawal was caught behind for six, while Charlie Dean trapped Harleen Deol leg before wicket for 24.
Mandhana and Kaur then combined at 42-2, and the pair added 125 runs off 122 balls for the third wicket, with India seemingly cruising on a batting-friendly surface.
Kaur reached her half-century off 54 balls, while Mandhana was content with playing an anchoring role. She reached her second consecutive fifty off 60 balls.
Sciver-Brunt got the breakthrough to dismiss Kaur, but India were still favourites to win.
Deepti Sharma hit 50 off 57, and put on 67 off 66 with Mandhana.
India needed 62 off the last 60 deliveries, but momentum swung when Mandhana went for a big shot against Smith in the 42nd over and was caught on the boundary.
India slipped from 234-3 to 262-6 in 33 deliveries with Sharma out caught off Sophie Ecclestone (1-58) in the 47th over.
England piled on the pressure as Amanjot Kaur (18 not out) and Sneh Rana (10 not out) were unable to finish off the chase.
India’s Amanjot Kaur, left, and Sneh Rana react after losing the match against England at Holkar Cricket Stadium [Surjeet Yadav/MB Media via Getty Images]
Knight shines
Knight scored her third ODI hundred to lead England’s innings.
England made a good start with openers Tammy Beaumont (22) and Amy Jones putting on 73 runs. Jones scored 56 off 68 balls.
Off-spinner Sharma accounted for both openers before Knight took over the innings, including a 113-run third-wicket stand with Sciver-Brunt (38 off 49).
“I got myself in and put down the accelerator. It felt like we needed 300 on that pitch, but it was frustrating to not get there in the end,” Knight said. “I was desperate to put in a statement performance for my 300th [international game] and I am pleased to do that.”
Knight reached her century off 86 balls, including 14 fours and a six. She was run out in the 45th over as England slipped towards the end, conceding five wickets for 31 runs across 5.1 overs.
Sharma returned figures of 4-51 in 10 overs and followed up with a half-century, but it was not enough on the day.
Heather Knight’s blistering 109 runs off just 91 balls set the tone for the England win against India [Ajit Solanki/AP Photo]
“I’ve absolutely loved my time at Saracens and have made some friends for life,” explained Reading-born Willis, whose brother Jack plays for French club Toulouse.
“I will continue to give everything for this club for the remainder of the season and I’m very excited about what this squad can achieve.”
The Telegraph, external has reported that Willis is set to rejoin Bordeaux-Begles, having left them for Saracens in January 2023.
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said he is “disappointed” by Willis’ desire to leave but respected the player’s “decision to pursue a new challenge”.
“He [Willis] has made a great impact on the field and been a popular team-mate off it,” McCall added.
“I know he is determined to give everything to the group over the coming months.”
The UK’s best food and drink can be found in a market town that’s been dubbed the ‘loveliest town in England’ – and it’s not where you’d expect but has grown in popularity over the years
The unexpected town with the UK’s best food and drink(Image: Alan Morris via Getty Images)
Long hailed by poet John Betjeman as “the loveliest town in England,” Ludlow is also globally recognised for its food and drink scene.
With over 500 listed buildings and a skyline dominated by a Norman castle, Ludlow combines ancient charm with modern appeal, cobbled streets lead to delis, bakeries, cosy pubs and renowned restaurants.
Often referred to as the ‘food and drink capital of the Marches’, Ludlow’s hospitality industry thrives due to its diverse local produce. In 2024, a Which? Travel survey of more than 9,000 people asked participants to rate the food and drink in their favourite inland towns and villages.
Ludlow triumphed as the nation’s top-rated food and drink destination. It was the only inland town to secure a full five stars for food, reports the Express.
As Which? Travel put it: “Instead of a handful of high-end eateries, there’s a culture of local produce as well as numerous pubs and cafes, served by people who care about the food.”
This ethos is reflected on the plate, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients and menus that change with the seasons. TripAdvisor currently ranks Old Downton Lodge as Ludlow’s best restaurant.
Riverside favourite CSONS is another beloved spot for relaxed, quality dining, along with Kin Kitchen and The French Pantry for cafe and bistro-style dining.
Pub lovers are spoilt for choice with establishments including The Queens and The Boot Inn, both receiving rave reviews on TripAdvisor.
Experts from Ludlow Distillery note that the town’s culinary scene thrives thanks to a strong network of food and drink producers, ranging from specialist cheesemakers and bakers to craft brewers and distillers.
They said: “The strength of this offering is best seen (and tasted) by a visit to the Local to Ludlow Market in the Castle Square (where growers and makers based within 30 miles of the town sell a range of high-quality and carefully selected produce), and the award-winning Broad Bean fine food delicatessen on Broad Street.”
The town embraces ‘Slow Food’, a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members worldwide that links gastronomic pleasure with community commitment. Over recent years, the initiative in Ludlow has grown substantially.
Slow Food Ludlow Marches offers year-round events, including visits, talks, demonstrations, meals and Taste Workshops at Ludlow Food Festival in September.
Ludlow Food Festival remains one of the town’s biggest annual events, regularly drawing around 15,000 visitors to Ludlow Castle over three days.
While it has finished for 2025, locals and tourists can look forward to the Winter Festival at Ludlow Castle. Scheduled to take place from 28th to 30th November 2025, the event will showcase local entertainment, mulled wine, and popular favourites from the Ludlow Food Festival.
To make the most of your visit, plan it for the second or fourth Thursday of the month when the Ludlow Local Produce Market is held, featuring food and drink produced within a 30-mile radius.
The stalls emphasise sustainability and seasonality, turning an ordinary shopping trip into a delightful afternoon outing. Beyond Shropshire, Wells was named as the runner-up for inland dining by Which? Travel.
Other places that received accolades include Lavenham in Suffolk, Llangollen in Denbighshire, Stamford in Lincolnshire, and Cartmel in Cumbria. Each offers a unique flavour of a gastronomic getaway.
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Most eyes are, understandably, on the Ashes rather than this series.
It should not be forgotten, however, that this was the first of only six T20s England have before the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka begins in February.
While Bethell, who flickered in striking a fine straight six before falling to a top edge for 15, can press their case to play against Australia, Curran is one of those with the most to gain before the World Cup.
The 27-year-old was picked for the first time in any format under coach Brendon McCullum last month and offers a second seam-bowling option in the batting-heavy side Brook’s England favour.
Having seen Bethell, Buttler, who made 29, Jordan Cox and Tom Banton tamely chip catches into the air on a surface that nipped for the quick bowlers and held for the spinners, Curran was fortunate to be dropped on 14 by bowler Jacob Duffy and at deep extra cover by Tim Robinson when he had 26. Both were straightforward chances.
While at no point did Curran find his best batting rhythm, he remained calm to power the impressive left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner for one six over long-off and flicked a full toss over square leg in a final over from which he took seamer Duffy for 19.
This match will not last long in the memory, but Curran at least took advantage of what limited opportunity he was given.
Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
A C-32A carrying War Secretary Pete Hegseth was forced to make a rapid descent over the Atlantic and an “unplanned landing” on Wednesday.
“On the way back to the United States from NATO’s Defense Ministers meeting, Secretary of War Hegseth’s plane made an unscheduled landing in the United Kingdom due to a crack in the aircraft windshield,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell explained on X. “The plane landed based on standard procedures and everyone onboard, including Secretary Hegseth, is safe.”
On the way back to the United States from NATO’s Defense Ministers meeting, Secretary of War Hegseth’s plane made an unscheduled landing in the United Kingdom due to a crack in the aircraft windshield. The plane landed based on standard procedures and everyone onboard, including…
Open source trackers state the C-32A was forced to descend to under 10,000 feet while flying off the coast of Ireland, over the Atlantic Ocean. After a steep emergency descent, which is standard procedure for a broken windscreen, the modified 757-200 ended up diverting to RAF Mildenhall in the U.K. We’ve reached out to the Pentagon for more details.
A U.S. Air Force C-32A carrying Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth back from today’s meeting of NATO Defense Chiefs in Brussels, Belgium, was forced to descend to under 10,000ft and divert to RAF Mildenhall in England earlier due to a cracked windscreen, which reportedly caused… pic.twitter.com/YgcwQjgOt9
As we have reported in the past, the C-32A is the real workhorse of the executive airlift fleet. Known as “Air Force 2” when it carries the vice president, these aircraft also transport other senior U.S. officials, such as Hegseth or the Secretary of State, along with Congressional delegations and the President’s spouse – and often the President themselves.
C-32A taking off from PDX. (Tyler Rogoway) Tyler Rogoway
It should be noted that these jets have been flying for many years and are deeply into the back-half of their service lives. They continue to receive upgrades as a replacement program is now in the initial launch phases.
Hegseth was in Brussels meeting with NATO allies for the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. It is unclear when Hegseth will resume his trip.
Domingos passed his healthcare course too – and over the next few years, spent time in Spain with second-tier Basketmi Ferrol and top-flight Servigest Burgos, then followed his friend and mentor Bartolo to Portugal to join BC Gaia, all the while racking up international appearances for the country of his birth.
“Spain’s the biggest league in the world,” Domingos said. “It’s the NBA of wheelchair basketball.
“I played alongside two of the best players: Mateusz Filipski – he’s known as wheelchair basketball’s Steph Curry. He can shoot from everywhere. He’s a good leader, an amazing human. And I played alongside Lee Fryer, one of England’s most exciting emerging players.”
But Domingos wanted to come back to England to study, starting a business management degree at the University of Huddersfield – he is set to graduate next summer.
He kept up his fitness playing wheelchair basketball for a team in Wakefield, who shared training facilities with Wheelchair Championship rugby league side Castleford. A friend urged him to sign up with Cas – and everything has snowballed from there.
In April, he scored the winning try as they beat North Wales Crusaders to win the Wheelchair Challenge Trophy, for second-tier clubs. In June, he was called into England’s 17-strong national performance squad.
And then in August, he made the final 10 to fly to Australia – qualifying for the call-up on residency grounds. His domestic season was capped last month when Castleford beat Rochdale in the Wheelchair Championship Grand Final.
“It feels amazing to be part of the Ashes,” he said. “England is a family. I feel privileged to be part of this.
“I think my experiences with Portugal will help me to deal with the pressure. I can take some of the things I’ve learned in professional settings to this.
“At the moment, I’m enjoying this. Everything happens for a reason and you know, if I try to understand the reason, it won’t be so. Whatever happens tomorrow, I’m not sure. I’m hoping it’s a good thing, but I’m living today.”
The Bayern Munich star is likely to start England’s match in Riga against Latvia on Tuesday night where he will be hoping to add to his superb run of 18 goals from his past 10 matches.
A minor injury meant Kane was not involved in England’s 3-0 win over Wales on Thursday night with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins – the only other out-and-out striker in the squad – deputising.
But during the match Watkins collided with the post and has subsequently been ruled out of the Latvia fixture through injury.
England fans are once again going through who the striker options behind captain Kane and the answer does not appear obvious.
Remarkably, only seven English players you would class as an out-and-out striker have appeared in the Premier League this season – with Chelsea’s Liam Delap the only one of the seven under the age of 26.
The other six are Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eddie Nketiah, Dominic Solanke, Watkins, Danny Welbeck and Callum Wilson.
England’s lack of options in the centre-forward position was even noted by Under-21s manager Lee Carsley, who said on Monday: “We need more centre forwards, we need more orthodox number nines which are capable of scoring goals. We really value that position.”
“I think it is in fashion to play your centre forwards out wide or to play them withdrawn. I think it is something that we need to be aware of, the poacher and the goalscorer and the player that plays on the shoulder and the focal point is something that I value.”
While England’s senior team’s boss Thomas Tuchel has a selection headache all over the field – due to an abundance of options – who he picks as Kane’s deputy for the World Cup is a different problem for a very different reason.
With England just a win away from qualifying for the summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the race to be Kane’s back-up is very much on.
BBC Sport has selected five options who between them have 25 England goals compared to Kane’s record 74.
