David Raven

Anton Du Beke will headline the Southport Flower Show on August 22, hosting two Q&A sessions in the Garden Theatre. The August 20–23 event will also feature Rob Rinder, Su Pollard, Phil Vickery, Candice Brown and numerous gardening, broadcasting and entertainment personalities. General manager Alan Adams said Du Beke’s previous appearance was highly successful and advised visitors to arrive early because the sessions are expected to fill up.

Nine vulnerable girls from across Europe who will serve as player mascots at the UEFA Champions League Final in Budapest have been commemorated in a limited-edition set of Topps trading cards. UK mascots Sadie Diggin and Zoe Geoghegan, both aged nine, received cards featuring their images and reflections on football. The initiative is linked to the Mastercard- and UEFA Foundation for Children-backed Girls4Football programme, which has delivered more than 1,000 sessions across seven European countries to promote football skills, financial education, health, inclusion and personal development.

A match-worn and signed FC Barcelona shirt worn by Lamine Yamal during the club’s 7–2 Champions League victory over Newcastle United sold for £65,000 to a US-based collector. The auction surpassed previous MatchWornShirt records for shirts associated with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, becoming the platform’s most valuable football item. Proceeds will support Fundació Itinerarium’s social projects promoting inclusion and equal opportunities through sport.

A survey commissioned by EE TV finds that British viewers spend an average of 28 hours a year browsing television and film options. More than half feel overwhelmed by the amount of choice, while many report household tension, falling asleep during searches, or reverting to familiar programmes. EE TV is promoting its Smart Search and Mood Matcher tools as ways to make content discovery faster and easier.

Hannah Spencer, a 34-year-old plumber and former Green Party group leader on Trafford Council, won the Gorton and Denton by-election for the Greens. In her victory speech, she focused on declining living standards, unaffordable heating and food, and the pressure on working-class communities. The result defeated Labour candidate Angeliki Stogia and Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin, ending Labour's long hold on the Greater Manchester seat. The article also reports disputed allegations from Democracy Volunteers of family voting at polling stations; Manchester City Council and election officials said no such issues had been reported during polling and criticized the timing of the claims.

Steve Coogan has condemned Reform UK as “anti-human rights,” arguing that the party treats human-rights protections as bureaucratic red tape. In comments to the Big Issue, he also criticised conduct surrounding the Gaza conflict and US military attacks on boats, warning that world leaders increasingly believe they can act without constraints. Coogan discussed his role as Mick McCarthy in the upcoming film Saipan, saying the story was revised to give a more even-handed account of McCarthy’s 2002 World Cup dispute with Roy Keane. The film is scheduled for UK cinema release on January 23, and Reform UK was approached for comment.

Aaron Green bought an £8.62 battery-operated dancing jellyfish toy from TikTok Shop as a Christmas present for his one-year-old nephew. The toy unexpectedly announced, “Live audio now being transmitted to data centre for analysis,” and later produced indistinct speech, despite its product listing not indicating audio capabilities. Green and his family were concerned that the toy might record or transmit audio. TikTok removed the listing and said it was investigating, but has not confirmed whether the toy can record sound. The product remains available on some other online retail sites.

A Burger King UK-commissioned survey found that 48% of Britons consider January the most depressing month, citing cold and rainy weather, dark mornings, the month’s length and returning to work after Christmas as the main complaints. Cash prizes, holiday vouchers and free food were the most popular ways respondents said January could be improved. Burger King is promoting its Slurp-Prize in-app game, which lets customers enter after purchasing an eligible cold drink.

Joey Essex has decorated his Essex home with more than 100,000 Christmas lights, working with his grandmother Linda Sims to create an extravagant winter display. The feature also covers his recent boxing victory over Portuguese influencer Numeiro and cites Amazon research suggesting that Christmas lights lift people’s spirits, while smart-home products such as Alexa and smart plugs could make decorating easier.

The Office for Budget Responsibility accidentally published key Budget documents before Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her statement, prompting Martin Lewis to call the error “staggering” and say the government would be furious. The leaked figures indicate £26 billion in tax rises by 2029–30, largely through extending the freeze on income-tax thresholds, while the two-child Universal Credit limit will be removed from April 2026. The cash ISA allowance will fall from £20,000 to £12,000 for most people, although over-65s will retain the existing limit and the shares ISA allowance will remain unchanged. Reeves called the leak deeply disappointing, the OBR apologized and launched an investigation, while opposition leaders criticized the government and Starmer defended the Budget as reflecting Labour values and addressing the cost of living.

Morrisons has launched its 2025 Christmas advert, positioning it as a contender for the supermarket advertising spotlight by focusing on farmers, food makers and delivery staff rather than celebrities. The 90-second film follows Christmas-themed preparations across the UK throughout the year, highlighting Morrisons' fresh-food operations and British suppliers. The campaign will be supported by shorter edits running through November and December.

Donald Trump appeared to rest his eyes during a chaotic White House announcement about a deal to reduce the price of weight-loss drugs, prompting viewers to speculate that he had fallen asleep. A guest associated with one of the companies involved fainted behind him but was caught and later declared fine. Trump’s supporters defended his appearance as fatigue from working long hours. The incident comes amid renewed scrutiny of Trump’s health, following his disclosure of a reportedly perfect MRI and an earlier diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency.

Thousands of clubbers attended Cream Classical, a two-night Halloween rave at Liverpool Cathedral featuring K-Klass, a live 50-piece orchestra, lasers and strobe lighting. The event reimagined 1990s dance anthems associated with the legendary Liverpool nightclub Cream, which also spawned Creamfields. Organizers described the production as a major undertaking and said the show has become a highlight of Liverpool's cultural calendar. A rapid overnight cleanup returned the cathedral to normal worship services, while the event is set to return in 2026 at Liverpool's Pier Head as part of On the Waterfront.

On The Waterfront will return to Liverpool’s Pier Head from June 18 to 21, 2026. The announced line-up includes Paul Weller on opening night, Red Rum Club on June 19, Cream Classical’s 10th-anniversary event on June 20, and Snow Patrol on June 21, with additional acts still to be announced. Ticket prices start at £40 for the Red Rum Club and Cream Classical dates and £58.50 for the Paul Weller and Snow Patrol dates, excluding booking fees. General ticket sales begin at 10am on October 31, while some presales have already opened or are scheduled earlier.

An inquest found that multiple factors contributed to the suicide of 34-year-old Alistair Taylor, including the prolonged compulsory purchase process for his specially adapted Blackpool home and the loss of his barbershop lease. His family said the council’s actions caused severe financial and emotional strain, worsened his mental health and contributed to the breakdown of his marriage. The coroner said Blackpool Council had underestimated the potential impact on Taylor and his family. The council offered condolences and said it would review the findings and lessons for future projects.

A 45,300-person Giga Poll commissioned by green entrepreneur Dale Vince and conducted by HOPE not hate finds that most Britons view their communities as peaceful and welcoming, despite right-wing claims that the country is divided and lawless. Cost-of-living pressures and NHS concerns rank above immigration and asylum, while respondents broadly support greater public involvement in decision-making, wealth taxation, environmental protections and climate action. The poll also reveals dissatisfaction with the government, financial insecurity and limited optimism about Labour, which trails Nigel Farage’s Reform UK by six points. Farage has a positive opinion among only one-third of respondents, while 43% dislike him.

Thousands of St George’s Cross and Union Jack flags have appeared on streets across England following the online campaign Operation Raise the Colours, which grew after support for the Lionesses during the Euros. Councils including Birmingham and Tower Hamlets have removed flags attached to lamp posts and other public infrastructure, citing maintenance, safety and planning responsibilities, while people remain free to display them on private property. Supporters describe the flags as expressions of pride and community identity, but critics and HopenotHate warn that parts of the campaign are being organised by far-right activists to provoke division. Keir Starmer has expressed support for patriotism and flag displays, while Andy Burnham and local authorities have drawn a distinction between private displays and unauthorised markings or attachments on public property.

Southport Flower Show returns to Victoria Park from 14 to 17 August 2025 with celebrity guests including Strictly winner Hamza Yassin, Gladiator Zack George, Kelvin and Liz Fletcher, Toyah Willcox and Justin Fletcher. The four-day event features horticultural exhibits, show gardens, cookery demonstrations, live music, animal displays and expanded family attractions, including alpacas and a children’s conservation trail. Organisers expect a busy programme following last year’s 50,000 visitors.

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup is expected to become the most-watched women’s rugby event in history, while research finds that 60% of fans want women’s rugby shown in more public venues. Nearly 1,000 UK pubs and bars have joined Asahi Super Dry’s Pub Pledge to screen the tournament. Asahi, Ellie Kildunne, Set Piece Social and Her Game Too have launched The Asahi Open Arms in Shoreditch as an inclusive fan venue, and Fanzo has introduced a bar-finder app to help supporters locate participating pubs.

Jeff Lynne's ELO cancelled its Manchester performance at Co-op Live minutes before the scheduled start because Lynne was ill, leaving thousands of fans disappointed and concerned about refunds for travel and accommodation. The cancellation followed a previous performance in which Lynne reportedly struggled with an injured hand, needed to sit during the final songs and was helped off stage.

Lewis Hamilton said he is limiting carbohydrates to make weight ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, meaning he cannot indulge in his favorite pizza or preferred Indian meal before racing. Speaking at the House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% launch, the Ferrari driver also discussed his food preferences and took part in a Q&A hosted by Nick Grimshaw. The London event included driver-inspired pizzas, cocktails, non-alcoholic Peroni and DJ performances.

Drink prices at the 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone have risen slightly from the previous year, with a pint of Heineken costing £7.85, Amstel or Inch’s cider £7.50, and a four-pint draught deal £28. Fans offered mixed reactions, with some considering beer prices normal for major events while others criticized the £5 charge for a 500ml bottle of water, particularly amid warnings to stay hydrated in warm weather. More than 500,000 visitors were expected across the Grand Prix weekend.

Fifteen-year-old Olivia Lawson from Buckinghamshire won a nationwide Mastercard and McLaren competition to become the team’s first Junior Race Engineer at the 2025 British Grand Prix. She toured McLaren’s Technology Centre in Woking, received guidance from engineer and STEM ambassador Kenny Kong, helped assemble Ayrton Senna’s 1993 MP4-8, and prepared a race car for the event. The initiative is intended to inspire children aged 9–15 to pursue motorsport and engineering careers and builds on Mastercard’s multi-year partnership with McLaren.

Vegetarian television personality Pete Wicks is encouraging meat eaters to try Burger King’s Vegan Royale, saying people do not need to become fully vegetarian to enjoy plant-based food. The campaign, run with The Vegetarian Butcher, follows research suggesting that nearly 60% of people in the UK are open to trying plant-based foods, while more than 40% of meat eaters have never tried a plant-based burger. Burger King UK is offering a free Vegan Royale on Uber Eats or Just Eat with a minimum £20 order until 8 July 2025.