Eight 375ft-tall cooling towers crashed to the ground yesterday in the largest simultaneous demolition of its kind.
Hundreds of people watched the structures’ tumble at Cottam Power Station in Retford, Notts, one of the last coal-fired stations in Britain.
4
The Cottam Power Station in Retford, Notts, just before the eight towers are demolishedCredit: Peter Brooks/pictureexclusive.com
4
Hundreds of people watched the structures’ record-breaking ten-second tumbleCredit: News images
4
As the structures crashed to the ground, the historic moment marked the largest simultaneous demolition of cooling towers ever carried outCredit: News images
The towers were flattened in 10 seconds, sending a huge cloud of dust into the air.
The power station shut in 2019.
The historic moment marked the largest simultaneous demolition of cooling towers ever carried out.
The coal-fired complex, which opened in 1968, was capable of generating enough electricity for 3.7 million homes.
Originally designed for just 30 years of use, it remained operational until 2019 when it was decommissioned by EDF Energy.
The demolition, the ninth at the EDF-owned site, is part of a phased clearance.
Other parts of the site, including its chimney stack, have already been destroyed.
The project is expected to be complete by early 2026.
4
The towers were flattened in 10 seconds, sending a huge cloud of dust into the airCredit: Avalon.red
Incredible moment crowd gathers as Glasgow tower blocks are DEMOLISHED
CONGRATULATIONS, Sir Keir! The number of people arriving here in small boats from France has reached 50,000 since your magnificent government took office.
That’s something to be proud of, isn’t it? The way things are going, you might make it 100,000 by the end of the year.
4
The number of people arriving here in small boats from France has reached 50,000 since Keir won the electionCredit: AFP
It was about as much use as howling at the moon. And although you deny it, the policy seems to have been quietly shelved.
Nor will the one-in, one-out deal work. A pilot scheme which was only ever going to deal with one in 20 of the illegal migrants.
You scrapped the Rwanda plan. That at least provided SOME deterrent.
And so, like almost every other thing you turn your hand to, you’ve made things worse and worse.
So here’s my ten-point plan to stop what seems to be an unstoppable tide. It’s not really unstoppable, if you really want to do it.
1: Let it be known that anyone arriving here illegally automatically loses their right to live in the UK, in perpetuity. Cost of this? Nil.
Deterrence effect? Very high. No place to live, no permit to work, no schooling, no health care.
2: No more hotels. As Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has suggested, house the migrants who arrive in tents.
Empty every hotel which has migrants in them, immediately. Cost of this? Rather less than the hotels, I would reckon.
Small boat crossings under Labour are on brink of hitting 50,000 – one illegal migrant every 11 mins since the election
3: No grants for swimming lessons, gym workouts and hair extensions. No grants for anything except a ticket home.
4: Withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights and all other supranational jurisdiction which stops us from solving our own problems in our own ways. They are well past their sell-by dates, anyway.
5: Abolish the immigration tribunals, immediately. They are all presided over by judges who spend most of their lives advocating the causes of asylum seekers. The legal issue is clear: Arriving illegally means no entry.
6: In complex cases, where it is either not clear where the migrant comes from, or the country of origin refuses to have them back, send them for processing at a place under British jurisdiction.
Such as St Helena — a windswept island in the middle of the Atlantic. Or South Georgia. Or, for the really devious ones, Rockall.
7. For those who have already arrived and are currently going through the appeals process, let it be made clear that by arriving illegally they have automatically lost their right to stay here. Also, abolish all legal aid for those who have arrived.
4
Starmer must begin with the conviction that all who arrive illegally must goCredit: PA
8: Offer those who have been here for some time £1,000 to leave the country, never to return. You could throw in some free bags of Monster Munch, and one of those neck cushions, for the flight.
9: Strike a deal with the French to allow British policemen or soldiers to puncture the boats before they leave France.
Or otherwise hole them below the waterline. It is obvious we can’t trust the French to do this.
10: Start taking things seriously, Starmer. Begin with the conviction that all who arrive illegally must go. Including those who have already arrived. And if the Left moans, so be it.
POLICE POLICY A SHAM
I SPOKE to Rob Davies a few days ago. He’s the shopkeeper from Wrexham who was visited by the police for having put up a sign describing shoplifters as “scumbags”.
He was ticked off and warned he might have offended people.
Who, shoplifters? We mustn’t offend THEM now?
Totally bizarre. And you can see where this policy is getting us.
There is now one case of shoplifting every minute in the UK.
Businesses are closing down because their losses are unsustainable.
And when a hard-working shop owner complains about it, he then gets a visit from the Old Bill.
Before the last election Sir Keir Starmer warned he was going to get tough on shoplifters. What happened, Keir?
Meanwhile the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, has said the public must help in fighting shoplifting.
Really? And risk being charged by the Old Bill for being nasty to a vulnerable person?
Boring tunes Taylor-made for kids
4
Taylor Swift’s music is bloodless and boring – she is a consummate saleswomanCredit: Getty
GOT your pre-order in for the new Taylor Swift album?
Nope, me neither. But I suppose million upon million will.
Her music is bloodless and boring, written by a committee. The lyrics are naff. But she is a consummate saleswoman.
She’s already been giving teasing hints as to what’s on the new album.
It includes a cover of a George Michael song, for example. Which is, for me, another reason to stay well away from it.
Ah well, she’s what a certain section of the kids want now and I suppose I am not necessarily her target audience.
But couldn’t the kids fall in love with something a little more exciting, and dangerous, and full of adventure?
NAKED TRUTH
THE Metropolitan Police is considering prosecuting the vigilantes who stopped a bloke waving his b*****s around after he dropped his trousers and pants on the Tube in front of women and children.
A few blokes on board remonstrated with him and then, when he got aggressive, wrestled him to the ground and handed him over to an off-duty copper.
In other words, they did the right thing.
And the response of the idiots at the Met is why the public is reluctant to get itself involved when a crime takes place.
UK IN A RIGHTS MESS
4
US Vice President JD Vance warned that human rights in the UK are worseningCredit: Getty
WHEN friends make constructive criticisms, we should listen.
The US State Department has just investigated human rights in the UK – something the Vice President JD Vance has been banging on about.
It says our human rights worsened last year. And it claimed there were “credible reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression”, as well as “crimes, violence, or threats of violence motivated by antisemitism”.
That seems to me pretty much bang on.
Over the last 15 years our freedom to express ourselves has diminished and diminished.
And that trend hastened last year with the advent of a Labour government which really hates the idea that people should express themselves freely.
CREDIT IS DUE!
THE UK has just broken a much-cherished record.
There are now, officially, eight million people claiming Universal Credit.
And well done, Sir Keir – that’s an increase of more than a million on the figure for last July.
Soon, everybody will be on Universal Credit. Sitting on their fat arses watching reruns of Deal Or No Deal.
And there will be nobody left to pay for it all.
GOOD luck to all our readers who are about to open their A-level results today.
It’s always a fun time of year, isn’t it?
But it doesn’t really matter in the end, believe me.
And here’s a bit of advice to anyone who got lower than As and Bs.
Don’t go to university. It’s not worth the bother.
Instead, get yourself an apprenticeship and learn something useful which will keep you in work.
Soon you will be earning a decent income while the debt-laden students slum it on awful courses.
High flyer? What do you take me for?
NOW I really have heard it all. A trolley dolly has just won a discrimination case against British Airways.
Jennifer Clifford said she was too scared to fly. Being up in the air in one of those planes made her kind of stressy, you see. So she shouldn’t have been given the boot.
Do you ever get the impression that, much as the Fun Boy Three suggested all those years ago, the lunatics really have taken over the asylum?
TRAITORS star Harry Clark has broken his silence after being booted off SAS: Who Dares Wins for cheating.
It was a humbling moment for the ex-Army lad, who has now admitted he “hated” his time on the Channel 4 show.
Directing staff Billy Billingham and Jason Fox caught Harry out performing only 10 burpee exercises when he’d been challenged to do 20 – then lied about it.
He was meant to complete the set before pulling a switch.
Harry said: “Obviously I was so disheartened and so annoyed, but at the same time in the back of my head I was like, ‘but it’s all right though because I’ve made that switch, I’m here to stay’.
“I did exactly what I would do in the military.
“And that’s what annoyed me so much because it was like I just hit that switch, but they’d kicked me off for it.
“So it was like, well then how can I prove to you now that I’ve changed?
“But then at the same time, when I look back on it and I’ve matured a lot now, they’ve probably done me a favour because I know that the next big stage was the interrogation phase.”
The mother of murdered Harvey Willgoose believes her son’s killer should be named when he is sentenced later this year
3
Harvey’s parents Mark and CarolineCredit: Abigail Jaiyeola/BBC
He cannot be identified due to an order imposed when he first appeared at court in February.
Media organisations asked Sheffield crown court judge Mrs Justice Ellenbogen to lift the ban in October but she said she wants to hear prosecution and defence views.
However news outlets were allowed to name the school involved as the city’s All Saints Catholic High School.
Yesterday, mum Caroline told BBC Breakfast: “Harvey hasn’t been here to speak up for himself and he’s been named. So, I think the defendant should as well.”
READ MORE ON HARVEY WILLGOOSE
Harvey’s sister Sophie said of the killer: “He’s a 15-year-old boy. We’d like to think that he didn’t want to murder Harvey.
“He’s just from a troubled background and services have let him down.”
She told the BBC: “I have got his grubby t-shirt on so I can smell him.
“I don’t want to go to sleep because I don’t want to wake up and have to relive it all and remember it.”
She described her son as “the life and soul of the party” and “a joy to be around”.
Weapon-obsessed teen GUILTY of murdering boy, 15, at school with hunting knife before making chilling excuse to teacher
“He loved football, football was his life. He was going to be an actor at one point, I think he would have been good at it”, she told the news site.
Harvey’s father, Mark, said his son was his “best pal” and described him as a “loveable rogue”.
“We need to learn from this so no-one goes through what we have as a family,” he said.
3
Mum Caroline told BBC Breakfast: ‘Harvey hasn’t been here to speak up for himself and he’s been named. So, I think the defendant should as well’Credit: Facebook
‘His death could have been prevented’ – Harvey’s parents speak out
Harvey Willgoose’s parents believe his death could have been prevented as there were “flags” in the days and hours before he was stabbed to death at his school.
Caroline Willgoose said her son was worried about attending, telling his parents he thought some students had knives, and she said this belief was shared by other children at All Saints Catholic High School, in Sheffield.
Mrs Willgoose said: “There were so many flags, so many flags.
“That’s the harrowing thing, that’s the worst thing, that it could have been so prevented.”
The jury heard how the defendant was asked if had brought anything into school that he should not have just a few hours before he stabbed Harvey, and he assured the assistant head that he did not.
This followed an incident five days before when the school went into lockdown after this boy claimed one of the teenagers involved had a knife, but police found no weapons.
Mrs Willgoose said: “If you have a reason to ask that child, you’ve got a reason to search that child.
“And that was on the morning. Hours before this happened to Harvey.”
She said: “Harvey told us on that Wednesday (five days before he died), ‘this is why I don’t go to school, because children have knives in schools’.
“He told us that on the Wednesday.
“Children knew that there were knives in that school.”
Following his death, Harvey’s family had made contact with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after an axe was discovered in the killer’s bag two months before the murder.
The IOPC said it later received a complaint referral “in relation to the actions and decision-making by officers regarding the alleged offender prior to the incident” and a complaint was also made regarding the actions of an officer following the incident.
It said it was decided that an investigation was required and that it should be undertaken by South Yorkshire Police.
A police spokesman said: “Our thoughts remain with Harvey’s family and loved ones, at what continues to be a heartbreaking time for them. South Yorkshire Police is currently investigating two complaints, which the IOPC referred into the force for local investigation.”
TRANS teachers can ask their pupils to call them Mx instead of Mr or Mrs, the Education Secretary has said.
Bridget Phillipson said they have the right to “make that request” of them.
She told LBC: “But of course, what we’ll be looking at is making sure that people are able to exercise their views on this topic too.
“This has been the subject of various legal cases as well about people’s rights in terms of how they approach questions of gender identity.”
The prefix Mx is used by some trans people as a gender-neutral way of saying Mr or Mrs.
Ms Phillipson has also been criticised for failing to publish long-awaited trans guidance for schools after more than a year in power.
She inherited draft guidance from the Tories that said that teachers should adopt a “cautious approach” to children wanting to socially transition by living like the opposite sex.
Ms Phillipson said she wanted to take time to review the policies — but has still not produced them 13 months into the job.
Yesterday she could not say when the guidance would finally be released, despite concerned parents asking for it.
Tory Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott said last night: “The guidance for schools on gender-questioning children is ready to go.
“It will give schools the clarity they need, end the confusion and help safeguard children.
“No more excuses from the Education Secretary, she just needs to get on with it.”
1
Trans teachers can ask their pupils to call them Mx instead of Mr or Mrs, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has saidCredit: Alamy
Keir says ‘woman is an adult female’ & insists he’s ‘pleased’ by court trans ruling after years of woke dithering
A POLICE worker stalked and blackmailed a teenage boy for seven years after meeting him through an online game.
Ryann Moroney, 28, convinced the lad when he was 15 that he was being blackmailed by several Snapchat accounts.
Moroney, who worked on the London Met’scyber crime unit, asked the boy to send naked selfies to appease his fictitious blackmailers.
He was arrested when his victim went to the police, who found 83 indecent images of him on Moroney’s phone.
Moroney admitted stalking and making indecent images of the most serious kind at Inner London crown court.
Judge Nathaniel Rudolf KC told him he had taken “complete and utter advantage” of his victim in a “sophisticated campaign designed to maximise his fear”.
He jailed Moroney for four years, four months.
1
Ryann Moroney stalked and blackmailed a teenage boy for seven years after meeting him through an online gameCredit: Supplied
PRINCE Harry is considering starting a new humanitarian charity.
It comes after the Duke of Sussex stepped down as patron of Sentebale, the African charity he co-founded, after a bullying row.
Yesterday, Harry’s spokesman said: “The duke remains committed to continuing his support for the children and young people of Lesotho and Botswana — work he started nearly 20 years ago.
“In what form that support takes, no decisions have been made.
“All options remain on the table, whether that be starting a new charity or working to support pre-existing charities.”
Sentebale works in southern Africa supporting young people, especially those with HIV and Aids.
But Harry stood aside in March amid bullying claims by the board chairwoman.
Sentebale said in a statement: “The Charity Commission is explicitly clear, including in its public guidance, that it is not the commission’s responsibility to adjudicate or mediate internal disputes.
“This would include individual allegations of bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir etc.
“As a result, the commission has not investigated any individual allegations and therefore has not made any findings in relation to individuals, including Prince Harry.
“The issues not investigated by the commission can and may be dealt with through avenues more appropriate than the commission.”
Harry’s succumbed to a clash of egos – leaving Sentebale is a waste of Diana’s legacy
1
Prince Harry is considering starting a new humanitarian charityCredit: Getty
Ministers are now facing allegations that they misled Parliament with a controversial “accountancy trick” to hide the size of the bill from taxpayers.
Britain is to hand over sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory while paying billions of pounds to continue using the Diego Garcia base, a key military facility used by Britain and the United States.
Negotiations for a deal to hand over sovereignty of the island began under the Conservatives and was concluded by the new Labour government.
Back in February, Sir Keir Starmer dismissed Tory warnings of a £30billion cost and branded a £9bn to £18bn estimate “absolutely wide of the mark”.
But an official document produced by the Government Actuary’s Department shows the cost of the deal was first estimated at ten times the stated figure, at £34.7 billion, in nominal terms.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Add that to their £50bn black hole, and it’s clear – when Labour negotiates, Britain loses.”
A government spokesman said: “The deal is supported by our closest allies, including the US, Canada, Australia and Nato.
“The costs compare favourably with other international base agreements, and the UK-US base on Diego Garcia is larger, in a more strategic location.”
Starmer signs deal with Mauritius to hand over Chagos Islands
2
Britain’s Chagos Islands handover will cost taxpayers ten times more than Sir Keir Starmer let on, newly unearthed figures claimCredit: Crown Copyright
DEAR DEIDRE: THE inappropriately close relationship I had with my brother is now ruining my experience of motherhood.
I’m so scared that history will repeat itself that I can’t leave my young children alone together, and I panic when they touch each other.
When I was 17 and my brother was 18, we had a secret relationship — which I instigated.
What started as naive, teenage experimentation turned into an incestuously sexual relationship, which lasted until I left home.
I’ve never told a soul about it, and neither has he.
It wasn’t abusive but we are both aware it was socially unacceptable and against the law, and feel ashamed of what happened.
I can’t explain it, except to say that we were brought up in a strictly religious household where sex was considered to be a sin.
Neither of us was allowed to date or go out to parties and the like.
We were also exceptionally close, perhaps because we were so near to each other in age, without many friends.
I’m now 39 and married with two young children — a boy and a girl who are six and four.
He’s still single. We’re still in touch but we don’t talk about the past.
I didn’t dwell on it until my daughter became a toddler, and began to interact with her brother.
Spotting the signs your partner is cheating
Suddenly, I felt terrified of what might occur if I didn’t prevent it.
I started keeping my kids apart, making them play alone in their rooms.
If I see them play-fighting, I pull them apart.
My husband is starting to notice. I know this isn’t normal, and I worry it’s harming their development.
Please help. All I want is for my children to have a happy, ordinary childhood.
DEIDRE SAYS: You’re brave to admit what happened and to ask for help. You’re not a bad person.
Clearly you love your children and don’t want to damage them.
But, as you’re aware, it’s important they are allowed to interact normally.
What occurred between you and your brother was unusual – though not unheard of – and it’s very unlikely history will repeat itself, especially if your children aren’t brought up in the strictly religious way you were.
It sounds like you may be more traumatised by what happened – and more guilty about it – than you’d allowed yourself to believe.
Speaking about this to people who understand and won’t judge will help you. You can talk in confidence to nspcc.org.uk (0808 800 5000).
You would also benefit from counselling. Read my support pack, How Counselling Can Help.
Get in touch with Deidre
Every problem gets a personal reply, usually within 24 hours weekdays.
PAL HAS CROSSED THE LINE
DEAR DEIDRE: MY boyfriend never liked how close I was to my male mate, but I told him it was platonic.
Now I’m worried his fear was well-founded, after my friend crossed a line.
I’m 29, my partner is 30 and we’ve been together two years. My pal and I have known each other since uni. We’d meet for drinks or text about music and life – nothing flirty.
My boyfriend didn’t love it but I told him there he had nothing to fear.
Yet a few nights ago, when my friend walked me home after a gig, without warning he grabbed me and kissed me on the mouth.
I pushed him away and told him he was out of order. He just shrugged and said he “had to try”.
I told my boyfriend immediately – but instead of supporting me, he called me a cheat and stormed out.
I’m upset at how they’ve both behaved. How can I get life back on track?
DEIDRE SAYS: What your friend did was a serious violation of your trust and consent.
You can contact victimsupport.org.uk (0808 168 9111), who can offer free, confidential help.
You did the right thing by being honest with your boyfriend, but his reaction isn’t fair or helpful.
Jealousy can be painful, but it shouldn’t lead to unfair accusations.
Consider having a calm conversation when he’s ready, explaining how his response to this situation has made you feel.
PORN AND BISEXUAL CONFUSION
DEAR DEIDRE: MY addiction to inter-racial porn is stopping me from developing relationships. I think I need help but I don’t know what sort.
I am a 25-year-old man. I have dated women but I have never had a sex life. The first few times I attempted sex were a complete failure and an embarrassment so I stopped trying.
I then discovered porn and I find it suits me best to watch it.
I am a white guy but I especially like watching white women with black men.
It literally makes me stop in my tracks if I am out in the street and I see a white woman and a black man together.
I know full well that my addiction is preventing me from developing relationships.
I am worried that I might be bisexual too, as I can be turned on by both men and women. I am so confused.
DEIDRE SAYS: Online porn is designed to be addictive and it is brave of you to admit to having a problem.
My support packs Internet Pornography Worry? and Addicted To Sex have lots of information about this and on where you can turn for help.
The best way to try to understand more about your sexuality is to talk through your feelings with someone who understands.
Contact switchboard.lgbt (0300 330 0630) for confidential advice and my support pack, Bisexual Questions, will help you, too.
WIFE’S DOGS ARE RUINING MY LIFE
DEAR DEIDRE: MY wife has just bought another dog after we had to have two rehomed a year ago because the neighbours complained about the noise they made.
They wouldn’t stop barking if we left them on their own and were still pretty noisy even when one of us was there.
I am 44 and my wife is 39. We have been together for ten years.
We both work full time and are often out in the evening, so the dogs were left alone for quite long periods on our work days.
One of our neighbours became very aggressive when he complained about the noise.
He swore at me and my wife and threatened us.
It was a very stressful time and in the end it really got to me – the constant barking of the dogs, the rows I was having with my wife about it and then this neighbour having a go at me every time I went outside.
One day I ended up in a fight with this guy when he saw me in the nearby pub – all because of the dogs. The police were called to break it up.
After that, the only option I could see was that the dogs had to be rehomed.
My wife was very much against it and still resents me for making it happen. I thought that was the end of it, but she has now spent money which we can’t afford on a puppy.
She didn’t even ask my opinion. I arrived home one evening to find the dog in our kitchen.
Worse still, even though it cries all night she is talking about getting another one.
I wish she could see what it’s doing to me.
DEIDRE SAYS: She is disregarding your feelings. You need to talk to her and explain how hurtful her behaviour is.
Things can be different this time but your wife needs to understand the puppy needs proper training.
You can talk to the vet for advice on classes. Your puppy also needs plenty of exercise once it is old enough.
The result will be a happier, more settled dog and your neighbours will benefit, too.
HOT TOPIC
THINKING about opening up your relationship to another person can bring a mix of excitement, curiosity and nerves.
Taking time to discuss what you want – and don’t want – can help make the experience more enjoyable and reduce misunderstandings.
A Superdrug survey found 95 per cent of men and 87 per cent of women said they fantasised about sex with multiple partners.
My support pack Thinking Of A Threesome? can guide you through.
Rochelle and her JLS pop star husband Marvin were also pictured with Graham in Ibiza.
READ MORE ON MYLEENE KLASS
A source last night told The Sun: “Rochelle was doing what she saw as looking out for a friend in a time of need.
“Rochelle and Marvin are still clearly very much friends with Graham.
“Myleene is of the view that Rochelle took sides from the beginning of her marriage breakdown.
“The fact Rochelle and Graham’s friendship is still there after all these years has put an everlasting rift between Myleene and Rochelle.
“They both do everything in their power to avoid each other.”
Rochelle and Frankie, 36, previously enjoyed a close friendship with Classic FM host Myleene.
Watch the awkward moment feuding stars Myleene Klass and Frankie Bridge come face to face on live TV
In 2012, Myleene and Frankie, both hosts on Loose Women, attended Rochelle’s hen do.
But they have not appeared together on the ITV show since an awkward episode last year.
The alleged unzipping incident is said to have happened before Myleene and Graham married.
The couple — who share daughters Ava, 17, and 13-year-old Hero — wed in 2011 and divorced two years later, with Myleene citing “unreasonable behaviour”.
ACTRESS Zendaya stretches out to show off her new sneaker range — but doesn’t lose her trainer thought.
She teamed up with Swiss sportswear brand On for her Cloudzone Moon footwear with fashion guru Law Roach.
5
Zendaya stretches out to show off her new sneaker range of Swiss sportswear brand OnCredit: The Mega Agency
5
Zendaya also showed off her abs as she posed in a track jacket and matching shortsCredit: The Mega Agency
The 28-year-old also showed off her abs as she posed in a track jacket and matching shorts.
The new shoes are said to be about “balancing standout style with all-day comfort”.
Zendaya, who is engaged to British Spider-Man big screen hero Tom Holland, 29, say: “Movement has always been a part of how I connect with myself, and movement looks different for everyone.”
Meanwhile the apparel collection, features lightweight, breathable materials designed for everyday versatility.
They include a bomber jacket, a bodysuit and a track jacket with matching shorts.
Zendaya is currently in Glasgow, doubling as New York, to shoot Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
It’s amazing her head isn’t spinning.
The blockbuster film, due to be released next year, has generated excitement amongst locals over the last few months.
The eagerly awaited sequel will see Tom reprise his iconic role.
5
Zendaya teamed up with Swiss sportswear brand On for her Cloudzone Moon footwear with fashion guru Law RoachCredit: The Mega Agency
5
Zendaya is currently in Glasgow to shoot Spider-Man: Brand New Day with her British fiancé Tom HollandCredit: The Mega Agency
5
Zendaya modelling for the Swiss sportswear brandCredit: The Mega Agency
Failing to end the freeze as planned in 2028 would mean millions more Brits are forced into paying a higher rate of tax under fiscal drag.
This is when people are pulled into higher income tax brackets as inflation pushes their wages up.
It comes after a bombshell report said the Chancellor must find £50billion in her autumn Budget to keep the country’s finances in check.
READ MORE ON KEMI BADENOCH
She will have to raise taxes or cut spending to maintain her stated financial cushion of £9.9billion by the end of the decade, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
At the Budget, Ms Reeves said: “Extending the threshold freeze would hurt working people.
“I am keeping every single promise on tax that I made in our manifesto, so there will be no extension of the freeze in income tax and national insurance thresholds.”
Ms Badenoch asked the PM: “I am writing to you to ask: does this remain government policy?”
Kemi Badenoch pleads for Tories to give her more time just like Margaret Thatcher was given
A Labour spokesperson said: “We’ll take no lectures from this failed Tory Party.
“They crashed the economy which sent bills and mortgages rocketing, and left a £22 billion blackhole.
“Kemi Badenoch’s next letter should be an apology to hard-pressed households for the Conservatives’ role in hammering their family finances.
“Labour is the only party focused on creating a fairer Britain.”
1
Kemi Badenoch has challenged Keir Starmer to back up Labour’s Budget promisesCredit: PA
SHE has always loved experimenting with her image and has debuted some dramatic looks over the years.
But I have heard that Little Mix star Perrie Edwards is set to show off her natural beauty after landing a lucrative deal with beauty giant L’Oreal.
The Black Magic hitmaker has secured an agreement, understood to be worth £300,000, with its skincare brand CeraVe, which prides itself on working with dermatologists and developing products for sensitive skin.
A source said: “Perrie wants to show that taking care of your skin can be affordable and people don’t need to break the bank with fancy creams.
“She has always loved testing different make- up looks, but knows that taking care of her skin is a priority. Perrie will also be able to show off her edgy side with the advert.”
The singer, who has a three-year-old son, Axel, with former Premier League footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, told Fabulous magazine in 2018: “I have very sensitive skin, and I used to use loads of products on my face because I thought that was best.”
She added: “The worst thing I used to do was go out partying and drinking and just sleep with my make-up on.
“You think, ‘Oh it’s only one night, I’m too tired, I really can’t be bothered to take all my make-up off’.
“But it only takes one night for a week’s worth of acne, so you have to be strict with it.”
It comes as Perrie teased new solo music this week to her 18.8million Instagram followers with a montage of footage.
She reacted with a raindrop emoji to a fan who commented: “The drought is over!! So happy and excited for you.”
Pop star Perrie last released music in February, with her single Rollercoaster, about the ups and downs that come with love.
With this skincare deal and new music on the horizon, little wonder Perrie has such an unblemished career . . .
Perrie Edwards says she still cries over Jesy Nelson leaving Little Mix five years on – but insists ‘we did everything we could’
11
Perrie Edwards is set to show off her natural beauty after landing a lucrative deal with beauty giant L’OrealCredit: Getty
EMILIA FEELS ‘LUCKY’ BEING LEADING LADY
EMILIA FOX has revealed that she is “lucky” to have never experienced misogyny – thanks to her leading role on hit series Silent Witness.
The actress, who has played pathologist Sam Ryan for over 20 years, said: “I haven’t experienced it, and certainly, at my age now at 50, I’ve been very lucky.
11
Emilia Fox has revealed that she is ‘lucky’ to have never experienced misogyny – thanks to her leading role on hit series Silent WitnessCredit: Getty
“I’ve been part of a show, which was led brilliantly by actress Amanda Burton. It was her legacy that really left the mark on the show.
“Sam Ryan was written for a leading female actress, playing a woman in a man’s world when Silent Witness first began.
“I think I got very, very lucky being able to play a lead, which I’ve been playing for two decades now.”
Emilia who is working with My Pension Expert, to encourage people turning 50 to take control of their future, said she is encouraging her teenage daughter Rose to save money.
She said: “She puts away a few pounds every week so that she will see, hopefully, a benefit in the future to saving every week.
“I hope that will be the example she then grows up with. I think having a good work ethic and savings ethic is insurance for life.”
SABRINA CARPENTER, who caused a stir with her new album cover, has unveiled an alternative one for Man’s Best Friend.
The singer wears a sparkling turquoise dress at a formal dinner. In the original, she was on all fours while a man pulled on her hair.
11
Sabrina Carpenter, who caused a stir with her new album cover, has unveiled an alternative one for Man’s Best Friend
Sabrina posted: “The final alternate cover for Man’s Best Friend features a special bonus track ‘Such A Funny Way’ available on vinyl. Three weeks left!!! Can’t wait for it to be yours x.” I can’t wait.
DOJA LIKE MY ZEBRA CATSUIT?
DOJA CAT gave her best zebra impression as she performed at Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco.
The Say So hitmaker looked hot in the monochrome catsuit at the festival held at Golden Gate Park on Friday night.
11
Doja Cat gave her best zebra impression as she performed at Outside Lands Music Festival in San FranciscoCredit: The Mega Agency
11
The Say So hitmaker looked hot in the monochrome catsuit at the festival held at Golden Gate Park on Friday nightCredit: The Mega Agency
Doja, who is set to release her fifth studio album Vie later this year, has also been working hard in the fashion world.
The American star recently shared snaps from a shoot with Marc Jacobs and posed for fashion mag V Magazine.
ONLY WAY IS ESSEX FOR EKIN-SU
SINCE her triumph on Love Island three years ago, Ekin-Su Culculoglu has remained one of the most successful contestants.
Now I can reveal that the beauty, currently starring on ITV’s Cooking With The Stars, has snapped up a £900k four-bedroom mansion in Essex, near her parents.
11
Ekin-Su has snapped up a £900k four-bedroom mansion in Essex, near her parentsCredit: Getty
Ekin was close to investing in Surrey, and even looked around some properties with ex Curtis Pritchard, but did a last minute U-turn to stay more local to her family.
A source said: “Ekin’s worked really hard since winning Love Island with ad campaigns and a steady stream of telly appearances.
“She has snapped up this home and chose somewhere more modest so she could be closer to her parents, who she spends a lot of time with.
“She’s looking forward to getting stuck in and fixing it up to her perfect style. She’s really proud of everything she’s achieved and ready to lay down roots.”
Since appearing on Love Island: All Stars in January, Ekin split with Curtis, with the star calling it “unfortunate” – but she has been concentrating on her career instead, with a focus on acting.
She better not get too comfortable in the UK as Hollywood beckons…
NOEL’S GOT S-MASH HIT ON HAND
HE famously sings that “Sally can wait” in hit song Don’t Look Back In Anger.
And it seems that Noel Gallagher’s girlfriend Sally Mash is firmly by his side during their Oasis Live 25 Tour.
11
Noel Gallagher on stage at the Oasis Live ’25 TourCredit: Getty
I can reveal that she has been his “secret weapon” during their sold-out tour – with the Gallagher brothers on stage for their second gig at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, last night.
A source said: “Sally has been his secret weapon throughout the tour so far.
“She has been at every one of the gigs alongside brother Liam’s girlfriend Debbie Gwyther.
“Their relationship has gone from strength to strength and Sally has loved watching Noel in his element on stage.”
Last year The Sun revealed Noel was dating events organiser Sally – after confirming his split from wife Sara MacDonald, with whom he shares sons Donovan and Sonny.
Speaking about Sally, Noel previously said: “She says she sees a steely look in my eyes.”
When asked what she makes of him singing the hit 1996 song Don’t Look Back In Anger, referencing “Sally”, he said: “She’s cool about it.”
It sounds like the name Sally has been a hit all round over the years.
KYLIE JENNER certainly did not have the birthday blues as she posed in a plunging black bikini.
The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star, who turned 28 today, took to Instagram ahead of the celebrations.
11
Kylie Jenner certainly did not have the birthday blues as she posed in a plunging black bikini
Sharing the sizzling selfie to her 393million followers, the mum of two wrote: “Last Friday as a 27-year-old.”
Her pal Hailey Bieber commented: “Twenty eight is better I promise.”
Trust me Kylie, the best is yet to come.
KYLIE’S TICKLED PINK
KYLIE MINOGUE sizzled in hot pink as she performed in Argentina as part of her worldwide Tension Tour.
The Aussie pop star wowed in the PVC outfit as she took to the stage at the Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires on Thursday – her first show in the Argentine capital for 17 years.
11
Kylie Minogue sizzled in hot pink as she performed in Argentina as part of her worldwide Tension TourCredit: Instagram
Posting on Instagram to her 3.2million followers, she wrote: “Buenos Aires, how do you describe a show feeling?
“I’ve only ever dreamt of this. WHAT A SHOW!! Thank you so much.”
Kylie performed in Chile last night and will head to Sao Paulo in Brazil next Friday, with the 66-date tour wrapping up at the end of the month in Mexico.
ED AND RUPERT’S FAM WEEKENDER
ED SHEERAN has got fans seeing double in the music video for his new track A Little More.
His doppelganger Rupert Grint stars in the video – 14 years after he appeared in Ed’s hit Lego House.
11
Ed Sheeran and Rupert GrintCredit: Supplied
Ed, who shares daughters Lyra and Jupiter with wife Cherry Seaborn, invited the Harry Potter actor, his partner Georgia Groome and their daughters Wednesday and Goldie to stay at his home in Suffolk while filming the video.
And it was a family affair, with Ed saying: “Our daughters [Lyra and Wednesday] are exactly the same age – they get on”.
UKRAINE’S fight against Putin’s illegal invasion is vital for all of Europe.
The Ukrainian people are fighting bravely for their freedom, their independence and their rights.
4
Firefighters at scene of a Russian rocket attack on Dnipro in eastern UkraineCredit: East2West
4
A Russian gas pipelineCredit: Getty
But American security is on the line there, as well as British and European security.
That is why we and European allies have been providers of military aid to Ukraine.
And we recognise the indispensable role of the US in that.
It is also why President Trump’s recent decision to make more weapons available for Ukraine’s brave resistance is very welcome.
And we share the President’s frustration with Putin’s continual delaying tactics and maximalist demands.
It is clear that Putin is not negotiating in good faith.
Tighten screws
The pressure must continue to grow on Putin, to make clear that this awful war, and his wanton campaign of aggression, must come to an end.
As the UK and US get down to hard talks ahead of next week’s summit, Europe must ramp up the pressure, too.
We, as HM Opposition, will not write the Government a blank cheque.
But we stand squarely with them in defending our national interest and that means resisting Putin’s illegal war.
Nazi lies, Vlad’s propaganda & troops on border… chilling signs Putin ready to invade ANOTHER European nation after Ukraine
Russia has so far failed to achieve its war objectives.
It has suffered enormous casualties and, in desperation, Putin has had to turn to Iran for weapons and North Korea for troops.
Three years on, and despite what Russia claims, the cost to its economy has been enormous and is unsustainable.
I am proud the Conservative government, working with allies, helped to drive forward the largest and most severe set of sanctions Russia has ever seen to cripple Putin’s war machine.
Through the tough and wide-ranging sanctions delivered by the international community, Putin has been denied $400billion of funds since February 2022 — money that could otherwise have been spent on this illegal war.
But we cannot stop here. The screws must continue to tighten.
Pulling in the same direction
The US is right that we need all the world’s major economies to be pulling in the same direction.
There can be no place for Russian oil on our continent. There must be no safe harbour for Russian ships.
There must be no let-up in our collective fight against Russia in every corner of the continent.
That is why Britain must continue to maintain a leadership position in this fight.
4
The entire Euro-Atlantic alliance must be unflinching in the face of Putin’s aggressionCredit: Getty
4
President Trump’s tariffs on India in part show that there can be no place for Russian oilCredit: Getty
We must take the lead in mobilising sanctioned Russian sovereign assets to help Ukraine.
We must ensure our Government is using the full weight of the Whitehall legal machine to find more creative mechanisms through which those assets can be legally leveraged to support Ukraine’s military efforts.
And we must encourage all our European partners to do exactly the same.
It is clear that by leveraging our full economic might, and crippling Russia’s, we can continue to support Ukraine, and force Putin to the table.
The entire Euro-Atlantic alliance must be unflinching in the face of Putin’s aggression.
From sanctions, to Operation Interflex and the 100-year Partnership, Britain’s support for Ukraine has been unwavering and must continue to be so.
Shoulder to shoulder
So we must stand up for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and ensure that at no stage is Putin’s aggression rewarded.
Because the lesson of the past 20 years is crystal clear: Putin only comes back for more.
We must stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends as they fight not just an imperialist Russian, but a whole axis of authoritarian states seeking to sow destruction on our own continent.
Ukraine is in a battle for its own sovereignty as well as the principles that underpin our whole way of life — democracy, liberty and the rule of law.
Britain has a history of standing up to threatening authoritarianism.
The invasion of Ukraine demands that we do so again.
We must keep rising to the challenge.
Putin has to know that if he tests the Euro-Atlantic alliance, he will fail.
BY rights, I shouldn’t really be talking to The Black Keys duo, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney.
But here they are on a Zoom call with me to discuss their thirteenth studio album, No Rain, No Flowers.
3
The Black Keys discuss their thirteenth studio album, No Rain, No FlowersCredit: Supplied
3
Last September, The Black Keys were supposed to start a North American arena tour in support of their previous albumCredit: Supplied
The 11 tracks are coming kicking and screaming into the sunlight earlier than expected — and for good reason.
Last September, The Black Keys were supposed to start a North American arena tour in support of their previous album, Ohio Players, noted for songs written with Noel Gallagher and Beck.
But, to their dismay, the dates were scrapped, prompting the pair to fire their management team.
Without going into detail, Auerbach says: “The first thing I wanted to do was kill somebody and the second thing I wanted to do was kill somebody.”
Carney adds: “I don’t want to get into it too much because we’ve gotten letters telling us not to talk about it by one of the most powerful people in the music industry.
“We got f***ed by the person who was supposed to be looking out for us.
“So, because of some bad advice, we were left with no plans for the summer. We had to take one on the chin.”
The situation was a rare mis-step in The Black Keys’ upward trajectory, which stretches back nearly 25 years.
Starting out in a dingy basement in Akron, Ohio, childhood friends Auerbach and Carney took their exhilarating mix of bluesy garage rock to the world stage, drawing on soul, hip hop, psychedelia, you name it, along the way.
Their new album, however, is the product of unplanned time on their hands. Still smarting from losing their tour, they convened at Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound studio in his adopted hometown of Nashville — and set about turning adversity into triumph.
Scots promoter tells how an armada of Oasis fans arrived by boats and ripped up fences to attend iconic Balloch bash
‘Reminder of the power of our music’
“We realised that maybe we’d better do something positive with this free time,” says the singer/guitarist.
“So we dove head first into working with people we’d never met and trying things we’d never tried before as a band. Ultimately, it really helped us.”
For drummer Carney, it was a natural reaction to what had happened.
“When Dan and I are not on the road, we’re in the studio,” he says.
“So we thought, ‘Let’s just get back in there and reboot’.”
One thing that remains undiminished is the cast-iron bond between Auerbach and Carney.
The latter affirms: “We’ve been doing this together for almost 25 years — from the struggle to the big s**t.
We got f***ed… so we thought we should do something positive
Carney
“Dealing with being broke, dealing with getting money, headlining Coachella, dealing with getting married, getting divorced, having kids, we’ve been through it all.
“As screwed up as last year was, it had very little to do with us so we got back on it, to prove to ourselves what we can do.”
As we speak, The Black Keys have been back on tour — on this side of the Atlantic.
Carney says it can be “brutal chasing the festivals, sleeping on the bus or in hotel rooms.
“But getting out here and getting in front of these crowds has been the biggest reminder of the power of our music.
“Seeing the fans flip out has helped us to get our heads out of music-business bulls*t and back into what it’s all about”.
Auerbach agrees: “The show in London [at Alexandra Palace] was the biggest headliner we’ve ever played.
“It was great after the year we had. Whatever happens, we know the fans are still there for us.”
Another thrill was playing Manchester’s Sounds Of The City festival two days before the first Oasis homecoming gig at the city’s Heaton Park.
“The atmosphere was electric. Our audience was so up for it,” says Auerbach.
Noel and Liam are both incredible — we’re really happy for them
Auerbach
He credits Oasis with lifting the mood. “I feel like they’ve transformed the continent. We’ve never seen anything like it.”
And he couldn’t resist visiting the Oasis Adidas store. “I had one of the black soccer jerseys made — Oasis on the front and AUERBACH on the back. Had to do it, man, they’re the kings.”
It was in 2023 that The Black Keys visited Toe Rag Studios in Hackney, East London, to write three songs with Noel Gallagher, who they describe as “the chord lord”.
Auerbach says: “It was amazing. We just sat in a circle with our instruments and we worked things up from nowhere.
“Not too long after that we played a song with Liam [in Milan] and hung out with him afterwards. He gave us some really good advice about our setlist.
“Noel and Liam are both incredible — we’re really happy for them.”
‘We’d never written with a piano player’
We return to the subject of their new album, No Rain, No Flowers, which involved a new approach for The Black Keys.
Instead of big-name guests like Noel and Beck and, before them, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, they turned to acclaimed songwriters — the unsung heroes — for their collaborative process.
Auerbach had encountered Nowels while producing Lana Del Rey’s 2014 third album Ultraviolence and had long been impressed with his keyboard skills.
He says: “We’d never written with a piano player before. After 20-plus years in the band, it was cool to try something new in the studio.”
Carney adds: “The way we worked with each one of these people was completely different.
“With Daniel, for instance, we’d start with a jam session. With Rick, it was all about getting the title of the song.”
And Auerbach again: “Scott’s all about instrumentation. He didn’t want to think about the words. He just lets you do that stuff afterwards.”
One of the co-writes with Nowels is the life-affirming title track which begins the album.
With lines like, “Baby, the damage is done/It won’t be long ’til we’re back in the sun”, you could be forgiven for thinking it reflects on the band’s recent woes.
Auerbach says it does, but only up to a point. “It started with the title and we built it from there.
“We tend to shy away from diary-type songs. It gives us ‘the ick’ when it sounds like somebody’s reading from their diary.
“But there’s a lot of truth in the song. It’s us trying to be positive, which maybe wasn’t how we were feeling.
“It was a nice thought to write a positive anthem but still have blood in the eye.”
If The Black Keys’ go-to sound has been the blues, this album is remarkable for its funky, airy and soulful vibe.
Auerbach says: “We were heavily influenced by soul growing up, maybe more than anything, and it really shows.
“With us, it’s all about the feel. When we started out, we didn’t know what the hell we were doing, but we knew when it felt right.”
Another strong touchstone has been hip-hop, which is why Auerbach and Carney are thrilled to have worked with Scott Storch, another dazzling keyboard player, who started out in the Roots and went on to work with Dr Dre, 50 Cent, Beyonce and Nas.
“We are a product of where we were raised,” affirms Auerbach. “We grew up in the golden age of hip- hop. That’s what pop music was for us.
“The first time I heard the Geto Boys was at the middle- school dance and it affected us.
That’s the s**t on those blues records I love so much. You hear Son House grunting when he’s playing slide guitar
Auerbach
“But then my mom’s family played bluegrass — I would listen to my uncles sing. And when The Stanley Brothers sing, it’s white soul music. I love it all.”
As for Storch, Auerbach continues: “We’ve obsessed over videos of him since we were in high school. Seeing him play all the parts of his hits makes our jaws hit the floor.
‘You can hear Scott physically grunting’
“The idea of getting him in the studio seemed crazy because he seemed like a larger-than-life figure.”
Auerbach was mesmerised by Storch when he arrived at Easy Eye Sound.
He says: “Scott’s a real player, an absolute musical savant. As a hip-hop producer, he tends to spend 99.9 per cent of the time in the control room.
“But we have all these acoustic pianos, harpsichords and analogue synthesisers. He was in heaven, and so were we watching him go from keyboard to keyboard.
“On Babygirl, he’s on an acoustic piano with microphones and you can hear him physically grunting in time with his playing. That’s got to be a first for Scott Storch on record.
“That’s the s**t on those blues records I love so much. You hear Son House grunting when he’s playing slide guitar.”
The No Rain, No Flowers album is loaded with hook-laden songs — the exhilarating rocker Man On A Mission, the psychedelic Southern rock swirl of A Little Too High.
One explanation for their eclectic approach is The Black Keys’ regular Record Hang in Nashville, which involves Auerbach and Carney hosting all-vinyl DJ dance parties.
For these, they scour online marketplaces and record shops for obscure but revelatory old 45s.
Carney explains: “We end up exposing ourselves to thousands of songs that somehow we’ve never heard.
“It’s really cool to be so deep into our career and uncovering all this incredible music. It’s totally reinvigorating — particularly when one of us finds a record that the other hasn’t heard and it’s a banger.” So check out Carney’s discovery Nobody Loves Me But My Mama by Johnny Holiday, which he describes as “f*ing insane — psychobilly fuzz rock”.
Then there’s Auerbach’s fave, Yeah Yeah by Blackrock, “a rare 45 instrumental which rearranged our minds. It still hits like crazy”.
We just fell right into it, started playing it and luckily we were recording
Auerbach
With The Black Keys, you always get a sense of passion for their craft, and for other people’s.
Auerbach says: “Pat and I were talking about this earlier — music can hypnotise you. You can use it for good or for evil. It’s a very powerful tool.”
And Carney: “It’s my biggest passion and it has been since I was 11.
‘Sensitive about what we listen to’
“I also think about the delicate balance you need when you do it for a living. You’re taking the thing you love the most but you never want to ruin it for yourself.
“Dan and I are very sensitive about what we listen to. We were at a music festival in a spot in between seven stages. It sounded horrible. I said, ‘This is the kind of thing that could make me hate music’.”
Finally, we talk about another of their own songs, the sublime, festival-primed anthem Neon Moon, which closes No Rain, No Flowers.
Written with Daniel Tashian, Auerbach modestly calls it a “first-take jam” but that doesn’t really do it justice.
“I think it just started with the ‘neon moon’ lyric,” he says. “We just fell right into it, started playing it and luckily we were recording.”
As the song gets into its stride, he sings: “Don’t let yourself get down too long.”
It’s a line that The Black Keys have taken to heart.
