Former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood, 68, has been charged by police with sexual offences against seven women between 1983 and 2016, including four counts of rape
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DJ Tim Westwood has been charged with sexual offences including rape(Image: Getty)
Tim Westwood was yesterday charged with sexual offences against seven women, including four counts of rape.
The 68-year-old, a former Radio 1 DJ and TV presenter, has been charged with sexual offences against seven women between 1983 and 2016. Mr Westwood is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 10 November. He has denied claims of misconduct.
The Metropolitan Police announced the charges on Thursday and released the details of the allegations. One alleged offence took place in 1983 when a 17-year-old girl was indecently assaulted in the Fulham area of London. In 1986, a woman in her 20s was allegedly sexually assaulted in the Vauxhall area of London.
Between 1995 and 1996, it is alleged a female between the age of 17-18 was raped in London and it was also alleged that the same woman was sexually assaulted in central London within the same timeframe. Between 2000 and 2001, it is alleged a female between the age of 17 and 18 was raped and sexually assaulted in London.
In 2010, a woman in her 20s was allegedly raped in London. In 2010, a woman in her 20s was sexually assaulted in Stroud, it has been alleged. In 2016, a woman in her 20s was allegedly sexually assaulted in the Finchley area of London. These charges relate to seven different women.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, from the Metropolitan Police Service, said in a statement released: “It takes courage to come forward and report allegations of this nature.
“The women who have done so have put their trust in us and we continue to provide them with all available support. Our investigation remains open and we’d encourage anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone with information, to come forward and speak with us. A dedicated team of investigators is available via email.
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“Any reports will be dealt with in the strictest confidence by specialist officers. Support is also available by contacting the independent charity, Rape Crisis at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.”
Westwood started his career in radio at LWR before moving to Kiss FM, which he co-owned. He had a stint on Capital FM from 1987 before moving to the BBC to present its new rap show in 1994 for Radio 1.
A former Israel-Premier Tech rider says he is facing a damages claim for 30m euros (£26m) after terminating his contract with the team over “personal beliefs”.
Canada’s Derek Gee was one of the Israel-registered team’s best riders, finishing fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia.
But he left the team days before he was due to compete in September’s Vuelta a Espana – the three-week Grand Tour which was subject to several pro-Palestinian protests relating to the Israel-Gaza war.
Gee, 28, said he did “nothing more than exercise his fundamental rights as a professional and as a person,” because “serious concerns related to racing for the team, both from a safety and personal belief standpoint, weighed heavily on my conscience”.
He added that ending a contract “is every person’s right when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances”.
Israel-Premier Tech have said they are “unable to comment on the matter” because the case is being reviewed by the arbitral board of cycling’s world governing body the UCI.
The UCI has been contacted for comment.
27 September
15 September
Decoding Gee’s statement
Gee’s statement, which he posted on Instagram, also referred to an “irreparable relationship with the team principal”. That could refer to co-owner, Canadian-Israeli billionaire property magnate Sylvan Adams.
A passionate amateur cyclist and fan of the World Tour, Adams has become a public face of the team and has poured a lot of money into the project, including signing Britain’s four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome in 2021.
He has also overseen the building of a velodrome in Tel Aviv in 2018 and investments in Rwanda, which has just hosted Africa’s first Road World Championships.
Adams’ involvement in Israeli politics is well known, calling himself a “self-appointed ambassador to Israel”.
He supported Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government on a trip to the White House to oversee the signing of an accord between arab nations and Israel during US President Donald Trump’s first term in 2020.
While Gee stops short of saying he left because of Israel’s role in the war with Gaza directly, he refers to his “personal beliefs”, and concerns for his “safety”. There has been a growing unease among riders about competing for Israel-Premier Tech, as alluded to by fellow riders in the peloton.
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What’s been happening to the team?
Since Gee’s decision to leave, Israel-Premier Tech has been subjected to much scrutiny.
At La Vuelta the team were the focus of several pro-Palestinian protests which affected the wider peloton. Riders crashed and were injured by protestors’ actions, which included pins being thrown into the road causing several punctures.
The final stage in Madrid was cancelled after it descended into chaos when protestors stormed the course and some riders were pushed off their bikes.
On stage five Israel-Premier Tech were targeted during the team time trial. Protestors ran across the road with a banner, causing four of the eight riders to take avoiding action and come to a stop.
Organisers of La Vuelta even suggested the team should leave the race for safety reasons. The name Israel was also dropped from the team kit during the race.
The team have since committed to rebranding without the Israel name after pressure from sponsors.
Last week they were then barred from the Giro dell’Emilia race over safety fears.
Israel-Premier Tech currently have five British riders on their roster. Alongside Froome, they have Jake Stewart, Ethan Vernon, Stevie Williams and Joseph Blackmore.
Israel launched the war in Gaza in response to the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023, when around 1,200 people were killed, mostly Israeli civilians, and 251 were taken hostage.
Beauty buffs on the hunt for a bargain won’t want to snooze on this rare deal that’s offering up a Clinique best-selling bundle worth £63 for under £25 – but only for a limited time
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Four-piece bundle of Clinique’s best-sellers worth £63 is under £25 in rare deal(Image: Clinique)
Whether you’re an existing Clinique fan looking to pick up £63 worth of best-selling products, or are eager to take the brand for a spin without spending a fortune, this is not a deal you want to miss.
Over at Lookfantastic, this best-sellers bundle would normally sell for the already-affordable price of £35, but thanks to this rare deal, there’s a chance for beauty enthusiasts to claim the set for even less.
New members of TopCashback can bag the beauty set for £20 after TopCashBack’s complimentary £15 cashback bonus. All you need to do is sign up to TopCashback via this unique link.
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This Clinique set combines four of the brand’s most-loved formulas, providing a complete skincare and makeup routine in travel-friendly sizes. The collection includes essentials to hydrate your complexion and define your eyes, with all products being allergy tested and 100% fragrance-free.
The Clinique Set includes the Full-Size Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator (30ml), an oil-free gel-cream that provides a hydration boost, promoting a plump and glowing appearance. The formula is touted for helping skin feel more resilient. This moisturiser would normally sell for £42 when bought solo.
Elsewhere in the set is the All About Eyes (5ml), a lightweight cream-gel designed to minimise the appearance of puffiness and undereye circles, helping to create a brighter look. This eye gel costs £35 on its own.
The gift set comes stocked with the High Impact Mascara in Black (3.5ml), a mascara that is said to add impressive volume and length to every lash. The rich pigment promises to create a bolder, more defined look for maximum impact. A full-sized version of this mascara normally retails for £26.
And the fourth item included in the beauty bundle is the Quickliner for Eyes Intense in Intense Black (0.14g), a dual-ended automatic pencil that glides on with ease. The richly pigmented liner can be smudged with the convenient tool on the opposite end for a soft, smoky finish. When bought alone, this eyeliner costs £20.
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Here’s how you can get the Clinique gift set for £20:
Sign up as a new member at TopCashback for free via this link.
Search for Lookfantastic on the site, click through and buy the item normally. Get £15 cashback when you spend £15 or more.
The cashback will be tracked to the TopCashback ‘Earnings page’ within seven days of purchase.
Mike Reid was a beloved soap star, but his life was marred by tragedy and financial difficulties – and he died with ‘nothing left’
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The cast of EastEnders in 1991(Image: Getty Images)
He ranked among Britain’s most beloved soap stars – but behind the trilby hat and cheeky grin of EastEnders rogue Frank Butcher, Mike Reid’s actual life was far more turbulent than the character he played.
The comic-turned-actor rose from the East End club circuit to reach nationwide stardom, but a string of personal tragedies and ruinous money troubles left him broken.
When he died in 2007, aged just 67, Reid had lost both his fortune and, in his own words, “everything that mattered.”
Born in 1940 in Hackney, East London, Reid emerged from modest origins and quit school early.
Before making his mark in showbusiness, he led a colourful existence that reportedly included petty crime and, most famously, connections with East End figures such as the Kray twins, reports the Express.
He first worked as a stuntman on films like The Dirty Dozen and the James Bond spoof Casino Royale during the 1960s before moving into comedy.
His sharp tongue and lightning-fast delivery soon made him a hit with audiences on the stand-up circuit.
By the early 1970s, he had become a household name across the country, featuring on the ITV show The Comedians. At the height of the show’s success, it brought him nationwide fame and cemented his standing as a no-nonsense performer with his distinctive cockney style.
In 1987, Reid landed the role that would define his entire professional life – Frank Butcher in EastEnders.
Initially introduced as a part-time character, Frank became a permanent fixture the next year when he purchased the Queen Vic from Den Watts.
With his trademark trilby, flashy clothing, and machine-gun delivery, Butcher quickly became one of the programme’s most memorable figures.
Reid’s own personality often blended with his on-screen alter ego.
He admitted that playing Frank’s mental health crisis storyline in the mid-1990s was so taxing that he suffered anxiety himself and left the show for more than a year.
However, he returned multiple times, with Frank’s turbulent romances with Pat (Pam St Clement) and Peggy (Barbara Windsor) being among the soap’s most-watched scenes.
Beyond EastEnders, Reid continued his acting work, appearing in Guy Ritchie’s Snatch as diamond dealer Doug “The Head” and in various smaller-budget films.
He also maintained his connection to the cabaret circuit, where his roots in stand-up remained part of his repertoire.
While Reid’s career brought celebrity status and financial stability, his private life was marked by a succession of heartbreaking incidents. In 1990, his youngest son Mark, who had been grappling with severe mental health issues for years, tragically killed a friend.
He then set himself on fire and succumbed to his injuries. “It is my true and honest belief that Mark had gone to scare his mate by firing at the wall beside him but instead shot him point-blank in the heart,” Reid wrote in his autobiography T’riffic.
“The shooting might have been intentional but the end result wasn’t. I know Mark was clear-headed enough to ring his mum then go back to Ian to try to staunch the blood with towels. It was no good because the poor lad must have been dead before he hit the ground.
“As time went on after Ian’s death, it appeared Mark got it into his head that he’d caused so much suffering to others, he should inflict as much as possible on himself.”
He said: “Mark killed himself in the most horrible way you could imagine.”
Months later, Reid’s granddaughter – Mark’s daughter – sadly died from cot death.
Years earlier, his first child had passed away just five days after birth.
Reid candidly spoke about how these heartbreaking losses impacted him, admitting that the pain never fades: “People must see me on TV or in cabaret laughing, singing, cracking gags and imagine that time has healed the pain and the scars. If only they knew. My son is locked away inside – not forgotten, just hidden away in what part we keep our private grief. Otherwise I couldn’t function.”
Reid’s financial situation also took a nosedive.
A catastrophic investment in Spain wiped out a significant portion of his wealth, leaving not only him but also members of his extended family in financial difficulty. Despite health warnings, Reid was a heavy smoker for most of his life.
In July 2007, while living in Marbella, Spain, he suffered a suspected heart attack and died at the age of 67. This came just weeks after he had been given a clean bill of health following a thorough medical check-up.
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Despite a lengthy career in showbiz, which included prime-time television roles and lucrative comedy tours, he died in 2007 with very little money left.
Reid’s funeral took place at Little Easton Parish Church in Essex and was attended by over 250 people, including many of his former EastEnders co-stars such as Pam St Clement, Barbara Windsor, June Brown, and Sid Owen. Fans were also invited to pay their respects, reflecting the public’s fondness for him.
Leisha Lightbody was reportedly annoyed with Reiss Boyce’s reaction to the street attack after she bent down to stroke the dog during their honeymoon in Thailand
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Leisha Lightbody married Reiss Boyce in the new series (Image: Channel 4)
Married at First Sight UK bride Leisha Lightbody had to dash to hospital after being attacked by a stray dog.
Viewers of the E4 hit show recently saw Leisha and Reiss Boyce tie the knot but it hasn’t been smooth since the pair got hitched. They’ve flown out to Thailand for their honeymoon to see if things can work between them after a tough start to married life – and now they’ve had a medical situation to deal with.
The trip turned into a nightmare when Leisha was bitten on the face by the animal on the street. She bent down to stroke the dog but it reacted – and left her needing help. The chaos was caught on camera – and she had to have an injection in her nose and arm to prevent an infection.
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Reiss had brushed it off as a mere “scratch” at first, but his bride had to be taken to hospital to be treated for the bite. According to The Sun, she was really worried about it – and her husband’s reaction to the attack didn’t go down well with cracks already appearing.
It is reported the pair had a heated row over the hospital trip as the Scottish beauty had to ask Reiss to attend hospital with her. She says she felt she should have been there for her without her needing to ask him as fans wonder if the pair will last the course.
It hasn’t been plain-sailing for the couple as they’ve been struggling to find romance after walking down the aisle. Things got off to a rocky start as painter-and-decorator Reiss told the dental industry marketer to be “quite loud” and a “little bit over the top”.
During a boat trip, Leisha asked him: “Do you visualise me in your future?” Reiss wasn’t happy with the comment, replying: “I don’t need pressure yet,” later adding to the camera: “I can’t believe she just asked that, is she joking? F****ng hell.”
They also clashed during the wedding reception when Leisha and her bridesmaid grilled him on his dating history. Leisha asked him: “What’s your exes been like?” Reiss said his ex-girlfriends have been “all different”, insisting he focuses on a “connection” instead. A squirming Reiss was asked by her bridesmaid: “So how many exes have you had?”
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Reiss discovered his dad was not his biological father when he was seven years old. Speaking about what he wants out of a marriage, he said: “When I get married, I don’t want to be having kids and breaking up. No way!” I want to do my best to keep that [his family] all bonded and sealed together forever. When I was seven years old I found out that my dad wasn’t actually my real dad.”
Discussing his dad, he added: “Looking back, at the time, I was only a young nipper. I didn’t really know what was going on. It was just a bit of a whirlwind, it was a lot to take in. That’s why I’ve got to do it properly. I’ve got one shot here, it’s got to work.”
Mike Henson, BBC Sport rugby union news reporter and Sara Orchard, Rugby union commentator
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R360’s proposed four-team women’s event is an exhibition-style showpiece that could leave players short of form and fitness, says Premiership Women’s Rugby executive chair Genevieve Shore.
R360 – a big-money breakaway series that aims to launch in October 2026 – has reportedly approached high-profile players from the recent Women’s World Cup about taking part.
England full-back Ellie Kildunne has said she is interested in learning more about it.
Shore said any recruits would miss out on the depth of England’s nine-team PWR, which is widely considered the premier domestic club competition in women’s rugby.
“Four franchises is a short-term showpiece competition.
“It may generate brilliant revenue and fantastic audiences and be visible, or it may not, but it’s definitely not a league.
“Playing maybe eight games, maybe 10 games – that is not getting you ready for international rugby.
“So where does that leave those players? I worry that they’ll be in limbo.”
On Tuesday eight of rugby’s leading Test nations, including England, France and New Zealand, announced that any players – men or women – who sign up for R360 would be excluded from their national sides.
R360’s first event seems likely to clash with the newly announced WXV Global Series.
Canada, runners-up at the World Cup, were not part of the joint statement.
Many of their players, including captain Alex Tessier and world player of the year Sophie de Goede, play in PWR.
About one in four players at the World Cup play in the league.
Shore said she would “totally understand” if any opted to move to R360 for a payday reportedly several times what is on offer in loss-making PWR.
“I would not blame any female at all for recognising her value or worth,” she said.
“We want to see female athletes in any sport, whether it’s rugby or football or tennis or cricket or whatever, get the value for the talents that they deserve.
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However, Shore said R360, which organisers say has attracted investment from a variety of funds and individuals, is fundamentally different to PWR, which supports the rest of the game.
“Our league houses just over 500 players, and they go from 18-year-olds up to players in their 30s with 100 caps for their country,” Shore said.
“Our job is not just the athlete with 100 caps, though.
“Our clubs have invested millions in schools, in colleges, in university partnerships, in building out their pathway projects and work with the Rugby Football Union, who are doing the same.
“If R360 are a private, limited company they don’t have to do that. Their purpose is to do something that’s innovative and exciting at the top of the game.
“The one thing that you do read consistently is that they plan to break even in year two. So the goal is to make money for the people who invest in it.”
The unions said in their joint statement that R360 was “designed to generate profits and return them to a very small elite, potentially hollowing out the investment that national unions and existing leagues make in community rugby, player development and participation pathways”.
Yann Roubert, the head of the French club game, said on Wednesday that “you don’t build a sport by bypassing those who build it”.
