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Strictly star’s high street partywear collection includes these £45 comfy sequin trousers
Strictly Come Dancing 2024 finalist Tasha Ghouri’s new fashion collection includes a range of party dresses and separates perfect for any evening event this Christmas
The festive party season is nearly upon us, and if you’re on the hunt for the perfect ensemble for a Christmas bash or New Year’s Eve festivities, this new celebrity range from one of our favourite high street shops is absolutely stunning – with prices starting at £24.
Strictly Come Dancing 2024 runner-up Tasha Ghouri has collaborated with Next to launch her debut fashion collection with the brand, featuring a fun and flattering array of party dresses and separates perfect for any evening do, including sequins, feathers, metallics and soft knits.
Our top pick from the Tasha Ghouri x Next collection are these Silver Sequin Velvet Wide Leg Trousers, priced at £45, which stand out for their comfort and ease of styling while still making a bold statement.
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Available in two leg lengths and in sizes 8-18, these glitzy trousers – which wouldn’t look out of place on the ballroom floor, we reckon – are made from a soft velvet fabric covered all over with silver sequins, and also feature an elasticated waist and pockets. Versatile enough to be dressed up or down, they’re a fantastic partywear alternative if you’re not keen on wearing a dress or skirt, and are also available in chocolate brown and navy blue.
In the promotional snaps for Next, Tasha – who currently presents segments on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two companion show – teams these trousers with a simple white shirt featuring a waist tie. However, they would also pair well with the Black Velvet Structured Bandeau Top, £40, or the Ecru Sleeveless Belted Top, £64, also from the collection, reports OK!.
Other standout pieces from Tasha’s range include the ultra-cool Dark Grey Metallic Faux Leather Mini Skirt, a steal at just £24, and the flattering 70s-inspired Rinse Denim Belted Wide Leg Jumpsuit, £75, which is equally suited to daytime wear.
With Christmas just a few weeks away, there are plenty of partywear options hitting the high street now, no matter how you’re planning to celebrate the festive season.
Abbey Clancy’s latest F&F collection is another great place to shop. The new partywear line is brimming with sparkles and luxurious textures that are perfect for getting glammed up while staying cosy over Christmas, and it’s now available both in-store and online.
Despite its premium fabrics, prices start at just £10 with the most expensive piece at £69, making everything incredibly affordable to help you look your best without breaking the bank. Each item comes in sizes six to 22 too, ensuring it’s accessible for everyone.
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Meanwhile, Michelle Keegan has been seen rocking the bow dress trend that’s proving to be a hit this year: the Bodycon Maxi Dress with Bow, £80, from her new Parisian Twilight collection with Very.
Manchester City vs Liverpool: Premier League – team news, start, lineups
Who: Manchester City vs Liverpool
What: English Premier League
Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
When: Sunday at 4:30pm (16:30 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 13:30 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.
Games between Manchester City and Liverpool have often been regarded as key battles in Premier League title races in recent seasons, but Sunday’s encounter may merely point to which of the two clubs is best equipped to try to chase league leaders Arsenal.
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By the time the weekend’s big game kicks off at the Etihad Stadium, Arsenal – who visit surprise-package Sunderland on Saturday – could be 10 points clear of champions Liverpool and nine ahead of Pep Guardiola’s City.
That scenario would increase the pressure on City and Liverpool, who head into the last round of fixtures before another international stoppage second and third respectively.
There are signs that both clubs are finding form. City have lost only once in their last 13 games in all competitions and on Wednesday pummelled Borussia Dortmund 4-1 in the Champions League with Erling Haaland scoring his 18th club goal this season and a rejuvenated Phil Foden bagging a brace.
Liverpool have also emerged from a run of six defeats in seven matches in all competitions to beat Aston Villa and Real Madrid in their last two games.
Guardiola ‘desperate to play against Liverpool’
City lost home and away to the Reds last season as they were dethroned as champions, and City boss Pep Guardiola admitted he was surprised at Liverpool’s stumbles this season.
“Of course, but sometimes it’s about momentum,” Guardiola stated. “All the clubs are there except Arsenal, who are more consistent than anyone.
“But the season is long, so we try to be there and see what happens. To be hones,t I’m so excited and happy to prepare for Sunday. I’m desperate to play against Liverpool.”
Foden is ‘back’ warns City’s boss
The City and England forward lit up the win over Dortmund, scoring twice to register his first European goals this season and double his tally in all competitions.
City’s star academy graduate struggled for much of last season, opening up about off-field issues and injuries that affected him, but the signs are that the 25-year-old is back to his best, having been the stand-out player in City’s Premier League-winning 2023/24 campaign.
“Phil is back,” Guardiola said. “How many times have we seen Phil score these type of goals? We miss this a lot last season but this season I think he is going to help us a lot.”
Guardiola added, “He’s a special player [and] we need his goals and hopefully today was the first step to do it. It’s important to have him for the big, big match on Sunday [against Liverpool].”
Van Dijk says Liverpool must build from the back
Prior to a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday, Liverpool had gone 10 matches without a clean sheet.
“It is easy to say now because we won twice in a row. In a world of chaos you have to stay calm and see perspective of things,” captain Virgil van Dijk said. “We all know how football works – it can change overnight.”
Liverpool face another huge test of their title defence on Sunday when Van Dijk faces Haaland, who has struck 26 times this season for club and country.
“You can see at the moment Arsenal are flying, and it is down to clean sheets and not conceding chances,” added Van Dijk.
“We have the quality to hurt anyone on the break – it starts with the defending. Today, you saw the hard work.
“We have to keep going. Sunday is going to be another difficult one.”
Slot looking forward to ‘Clasico’ against City
Liverpool boss Arne Slot said he was not surprised by his team’s return to form to win their last two games, but warned that playing at Manchester City would pose a far more difficult challenge.
“Our main focus is on consistency at the moment, as you know we’ve lost a few games, much more than we usually do … We were consistent but we were consistently losing. That wasn’t the idea,” a laughing Slot told reporters ahead of Sunday’s clash.
“It wasn’t a surprise for me how the last two games went. It was helpful that the other team did what we expected them to do,” he added.
Slot said Guardiola’s City were his immediate focus rather than the league table.
“Similar to the ‘Clasico,’ these are the few games everyone is looking forward to,” he said.
“What I like about Pep Guardiola’s teams is that 10 out of 10 times you get what you are hoping for – a great game of football, no time wasting or those kinds of things that I start to dislike more and more about football,” Slot said.
Head-to-head
Liverpool boast by far the better win ratio from the two clubs’ 218 encounters, with the Reds winning 110 matches, City winning 60, and 58 ending as draws.
The Reds’ league double over City last year included a 2-0 win at the Etihad in February, courtesy of goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai, that sent the eventual champions 11 points clear of City.
City’s last win over the Reds was a 4-1 thrashing at the Etihad in April 2023, on a tense day that included an apparent attack by Liverpool fans on the City team bus and Guardiola being accused of disrespectfully celebrating directly in front of Liverpool substitutes.
City’s team news
Guardiola seems to have the luxury of a fully-fit squad to choose from, with talismanic midfielder Rodri set to come into the team after recovering from injury to likely form a double-pivot with Nico Gonzalez.
While left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri has recovered from injury, Nico O’Reilly has excelled in his absence and may be the one tasked with trying to shackle Salah.
City’s predicted starting lineup
Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri, Gonzalez; Cherki, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Liverpool’s team news
The Reds’ first choice keeper Alisson Becker remains injured, but Liverpool have the impressive Giorgi Mamardashvili to rely on between the sticks instead.
Slot confirmed that record signing Alexander Isak may be fit enough to make the squad following a groin problem but he may not be risked, while Curtis Jones is back in training after also suffering a groin injury.
Conor Bradley put in a sensational defensive display against Real Madrid in midweek and will surely retain his spot at right-back with Jeremie Frimpong ruled out for another six weeks, while Andy Robertson also impressed at left-back and may start again as new signing Milos Kerkez continues to adjust to life at Liverpool.
Liverpool’s predicted starting lineup
Loose Women star spotted at airport ahead of I’m A Celebrity stint
I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here’s first rumoured star has been pictured arriving at the airport ahead of the ITV show’s launch.
Loose Women star Kelly Brook was spotted leaving Heathrow airport this morning, heading to Australia to film the hit ITV show.
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COP30 climate summit hears from countries suffering global warming harms
Leaders from countries suffering some of the most catastrophic effects of the global climate crisis, from hurricanes, floods and more, have urged the United Nations climate conference in Brazil, COP30, to take action.
World leaders are gathered on the edge of the fast-dwindling Amazon rainforest in advance of Monday’s official kickoff, with many focusing on better balancing the gap between developing nations and richer countries that produce most of the world’s harmful gas emissions.
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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has emphasised the need for a concrete roadmap to “undo deforestation, overcome fossil fuels and mobilise the resources needed”.
Another initiative aims to create a shared global carbon market, where those who produce less emissions than their required targets could potentially receive credit and sell it to those who overshoot commitments.
Richer countries pledged $300bn to help poorer nations deal with the wide-ranging impacts of the warming climate at last year’s summit, but no money has been distributed.
Moreover, developing countries and international advocacy groups maintain that the figure is woefully insufficient to meet the needs, eyeing a goal of $1.3 trillion in various forms of government and private assistance.
‘Hold our heads down in shame’
During the leaders’ meeting on Friday, Haitian diplomat Smith Augustin said Hurricane Melissa devastated his country, while small island states are the least responsible for climate change.
Kithure Kindiki, Kenya’s vice president, said “a previously once-in-a-century cycle of extreme droughts alternating with devastating floods continues to wipe out lives” in the East African country, which experienced a deadly landslide last week.
The prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, said leaders at the summit must “hold our heads down in shame” as a loss and damage fund established in the 2022 conference in Egypt still has a capital base of less than $800m, “while Jamaica reels from damage in excess of $7 billion US, not to mention Cuba, Haiti or the Bahamas”.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the chairman of the African Union Commission, said leaders from countries suffering the most harmful impacts of the climate crisis are not asking for charity, but for “climate justice”.
Several leaders also criticised the United States, which under President Donald Trump has branded climate change a “hoax” and has refused to send an envoy to the talks while digging deeper into fossil fuels.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said in its latest report earlier this week that it is “very likely” the world will exceed the 1.5C (2.7F) global warming mark – an internationally agreed-upon target set under the Paris Agreement – within the next decade.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the officials gathered in Brazil that they can choose to lead or be led to ruin.
“Too many corporations are making record profits from climate devastation, with billions spent on lobbying, deceiving the public and obstructing progress, and too many leaders remain captive to these entrenched interests,” he said.
Guterres also said overshooting 1.5C is inevitable in the short term, “but what matters is how high and for how long”.
Father of twins at 14 and prison at 18 – reformed Davis set for title shot
“I’m born alone and I’m going to die alone, so go on your own journey.”
That statement from British light-middleweight Ishmael Davis might appear blunt at face value, but his harsh view on life was developed through some difficult formative years.
By the age of 14, Davis had been kicked out of school, kicked out of his childhood home and was adapting to the responsibility of caring for newborn twin sons.
“I had a bit of a rough upbringing,” Davis tells BBC Sport.
“I was living with my first baby’s mum at 14, went into a hostel until I was 15 and then I got my own flat.
“Because I wasn’t making money it was hard. I was only getting around £100 every two weeks. It was a hard time in my life but these are the things I’ve had to come through.”
Davis, now 30, first stepped into a boxing gym aged 12 and took part in an unlicensed amateur fight the following year, but any dreams of pursuing the sport further were shelved as he tried to provide for his children.
Despite still being a child himself, Davis turned to the streets of Chapeltown in Leeds to make ends meet.
“I was year nine when I had my first kids. After that I wanted to be out on the streets all the time and I got into gangs,” Davis says.
“Because I had kids young, I started selling drugs.”
Davis would land himself in prison not long after and was on the path some of his closest friends and family were walking.
On 15 November he faces Sam Gilley for the British and Commonwealth light-middleweight titles on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as he looks to get his career back in track after three losses in his past four fights.
‘I told them they would see me on TV’
Davis has fought on some major bills over the past 14 months, including on the Daniel Dubois v Anthony Joshua undercard and Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury card.
Both late-notice fights ended in defeat and Davis also lost a majority decision against Caoimhin Agyarko in September.
But the chance to appear on a grand stage was too good to turn down for a fighter who almost missed out on the chance to turn professional after he was convicted of selling Class A drugs.
“I would train for three days but then not go back for a while – I was in the streets,” says Davis, who returned to the win column with a unanimous decision victory against Elliot Eboigbe in October.
“I did that until I was about 18 or 19, when I got sent to jail and did 11 and a half months.
“I got out from Deerbolt (prison) and 10 months later I was recalled to jail for an argument, so I went back in for four months.”
Davis’ first stint in prison left him with the sobering realisation that he needed to make serious changes to his lifestyle.
Pugilism, he believed, could be his way out, although training to be a boxer in prison was not easy.
No-one there – guards or inmates – thought he could be a successful boxer.
“The turning point was my friend and my cousin got locked up for murder and I thought ‘I don’t want that’, so I put my all in boxing,” Davis says.
“You can’t get boxing equipment in jail, so we used to make pads by cutting bits off the mattress.
‘I love being a role model’
After leaving prison for the second time, Davis moved away from Chapeltown to avoid being dragged back into old habits.
He made his professional debut in 2018.
“Chapeltown – it’s like a fish tank,” Davis said.
“Role models are a big thing for a teenager and what you see you will follow. I grew up seeing gangs, drugs, cars, clothes, alcohol and weed, so that’s what I followed.
“I’m still friends with all the people that I grew up with. I live my life and they live their life.
“I’m still the same – the only thing that has changed is my own mission and my own path.”
Next weekend’s bout is the top priority for Davis as he looks to get the most out of his boxing career and maximise his earning potential.
However, Davis, who is now a father of six, also wants to set a good example and give back to his community.
“Now I’m older, being a role model and being able to speak to people about a different way of living is a big thing I want to do,” he says.
“I’ve been through a lot – it’s real what I say. I know some kids are misled and end up in gangs, and I’ve been there. It helps for someone like me to speak to them.
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