For the fifth time, Paul Foster and Alex Marshall of Scotland have jointly won the World Indoor Bowls.
In a final pitted against four players who have all triumphed in the world singles competition, they defeated compatriots Stuart Anderson and Darren Burnett, who are now two-time champions, 11-5 12-7.
Tony Allcock and David Bryant, who won it six times between 1986 and 1992, are now one behind them in the rankings for Foster and Marshall’s first pair since 2019.
Asked about their continuing success, Foster told BBB Sport: “My hunger will not change and Alex is the same.
Age is just a number, and I’m delighted to win it once more.
“Stuart and Darren have a formidable record, even though they probably didn’t play as well as they could.”
Foster was “absolutely phenomenal,” according to Marshall, who has now won the pairs seven times to his partner’s six.
Prior to winning his first-round singles match with fellow Scotsman Martyn Rice, Anderson had earlier earlier in the day, but he had not reacted to his pair’s defeat.
Foster and Marshall, according to Burnett, “were exceptional.”
A stirring drama based on the misadventures of two young football fans, which first appeared in a small youth club before moving to the West End, stars Corrie and Emmerdale are treading the boards.
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The West End stage is lit up by a vibrant slice of the north east (Image:)
Gerry & Sewell, a tragicomedy about two hard-up, reprobate football fans in Gateshead hoping to score season tickets for their favourite team, Newcastle United, sees two veritable soap legends join forces on the London stage.
Katherine Dow Blyton, famed for playing vicar Harriet Fincher in the Dales until 2022, plays Gerry’s long-suffering mum, Mrs McCarten, while Bill Fellows, known for his recent three-year stint as Stu Carpenter in Corrie, as well as Ted Lasso, takes on the role of his troubled and abusive father.
The play, which has a limited run until this Sunday in London before heading to Newcastle in June, is no walk in the park. Yet as one of its stars, North Shields-born Blyton – currently appearing in Sheffield-based boxing biopic Giant with Bond star Piers Brosnan, tells the Mirror, it’s one that will no doubt stay with audiences longer after they’ve left the theatre.
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At the end of the day, she says, “It’s not really a story about the footie, is it?” When all hope seems lost, it’s about holding onto it and the bonds of family, struggle, shame, love.
The play simply has “so much heart,” I love it. And of course, as a person from the north east myself, I can attest how much of the characters’ spirit, how they speak, and how they handle the challenges that life throws their way, can be attributed to.
The stage production, which is based on the movie Purely Belter, fuses comedy, song, dance, and family drama.
Arousing football chant that the audience joined in with last Thursday night’s gala performance was the opening act, which was carried out in their seats, with black and white flags flying in their faces. It’s a high-energy start to a journey that “won’t let the audience down,” according to Blyton.
And there were Geordie accents everywhere, including proud Vera star Brenda Blethyn who also attended to watch the show’s London debut.
This play has its own incredible rags-to-riches story just like its two lead characters, who are brilliantly played by Dean Logan (Gerry) and Jack Robertson (Sewell) dredge the Tyne, meet some vibrant local characters and happily beg, steal, and borrow in their quest for those crucial season tickets to see the “Black and White Army.”
Its subtle yet powerful criticism of the politics and social austerity of the region that so many suffer from has now taken a run in the bright lights of the West End, where it first appeared in a modest 60-seat social club in north Tyneside in 2022.
The humour, the music, and the heart, which are a guiding thread throughout this stirring production, make the themes manageable even when they can be difficult to swallow.
It is quite wonderful to see such a proudly regional story told in the heart of London’s West End. May it be the first of many more…
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At Aldwych theatre, London, until 24 January. Then at Newcastle Theatre Royal, 9-13 June
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticised US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, saying it was ‘bad for Israel’ and should be scrapped. He called for the closure of the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre in Kiryat Gat overseeing the Gaza ceasefire.
City of Manchester have completed the signing of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi for £20m.
The England defender, who has been linked with some of Europe’s top clubs, almost signed for Liverpool last summer and was out of contract at the end of the current season.
Guehi completed a medical on Sunday after agreeing to City’s five-and-a-half-year contract.
Since joining Palace from Swansea in 2021, the Chelsea academy graduate has made 188 appearances for the club, making 33 of those appearances this year as they prepared for their first Conference League campaign.
Guehi described his career as “absolutely happy and incredibly proud” of being a City player.
He continued, “This action seems to be the culmination of all the hard work I’ve put in my career.”
Guehi was signed by Man City, but why?
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Following the injuries to defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias, City first began discussions with Guehi, 25, earlier this month.
Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Max Alleyne, three players under 21, were a part of City’s back four for Saturday’s defeat at neighboring Manchester United, along with 30-year-old Nathan Ake. At half-time, fellow 20-year-old Nico O’Reilly took over for Alleyne.
With a score of 2-0, United’s record of defense against them was compromised, and Guehi’s arrival will give City’s backline some much-needed experience and quality.
Guehi ranks among the top 10 in the Premier League center-backs in terms of clean sheets, duels won, aerial duels won, and line-breaking passes based on statistics collected since the start of last year. He leads the league in interceptions, recoveries, and duel success this season.
What role will he play on the team?
Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent
Guehi’s passing ability is beneficial for City, especially given how well-versed they are in their defensive line.
When City lost to United on Saturday, their central defenders had the most possession and space for the ball, but with John Stones, Gvardiol, and Dias missing, they lacked the talent to exploit this.
Guehi can get his teams up the pitch when they are not forced to do so immediately because he is adept at passing and dribbling with both feet and being a strong ball carrier.
When United added additional defenders to one side, City lacked players who could switch plays or play the ball long. Guehi’s are strong on both feet, which is a strength. Guehi averaged 7.3 long passes per 90 minutes with a 45.7% pass accuracy throughout the entire previous season.
Opta
Here, Guehi can be useful for a variety of purposes. He has demonstrated versatility for Palace and England, playing either a left- or right-sided center-half in all three of the back three.
Guehi will feel at ease wherever he is used because City frequently chooses to play with three in possession.
Guehi excels in ground duels on the left side of the pitch, despite not having the best aerial skills.
As City’s attacking full-backs try to press their teams high, he will need to be able to use his body and tackle with both feet after rising up in the opposition half.
In recent weeks, Guardiola has praised Khusanov and Alleyne, but it is obvious that Dias lacks leadership. The young defenders of City will have a guiding voice thanks to Guehi’s experience as a Premier League captain.
Long-term thinking and analysis are demonstrated by the Guehi and Semenyo deals.
Shamoon Hafez, City of Manchester reporter
City of Manchester have signalled their intent with the signings of Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo in this transfer window, but defeat by Manchester United on Saturday has left them seven points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
Both players will continue to strengthen a squad that has been hit by a number of injuries this year, and they will do so for the long term because they have signed five-and-a-half year contracts. Pep Guardiola’s side are still competing on all four fronts.
Guehi and Semenyo chose City out of a plethora of other clubs.
Guehi’s signing is not a knee-jerk reaction or panic buy, according to sources, because of the defense’s problems. He is a player that they have admired for a while and would have pushed to sign in the summer. However, this month saw the conclusion of a deal, which was too appealing to accept.
After a terrifying road collision this January, Lily Allen appears to have been shaken up, and her Porsche has also suffered damage.
Sophie Roberts Head of Social Newsdesk and Jess Flaherty Senior News Reporter
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On Instagram, Lily Allen revealed more details about a recent road accident (Image: Getty Images).
Lily Allen thanked her lucky stars for keeping her Porsche in good health by posting a photo of it online.
The 40-year-old singer and podcaster took to Instagram to share details of being “ran off the road” this January. She said: “Could have done without an HGV running me off the road but other than that a relatively good start to 2026.” Lily also attached a picture of her luxury motor, which shows the paintwork has been scratched off the sides and around the wheel. It is likely to have occurred when the collision happened.
In response to the ordeal, she said, “happy to be alive,” and she responded with four words. She also made fun of how other celebrities had a great year.
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As part of a viral trend, many people have been posting images from a decade ago to their social media pages, which Lily doesn’t seem to have found to be particularly impressive. She made a joke about not posting any photos taken in 2016 while still alive.
In just a few minutes, more than 11, 000 people viewed the Instagram post, and they left support messages in the comments section.
One person wrote, “Happy you’re alright! That’s terrifying. Another person remarked, “Omg the new Porche.” “Happy you’re safe, Lily,” wrote a third person. Another person responded, “Thank God you’re all okay.”
Despite the road collision, Lily appears to have had some positive memories this January.
She shared a photo of herself wearing a baseball cap and bikini while relaxing in the sun. She also shared photos of the items she and other people have ate this month. Additionally, she appears to have taken some flights and taken some lovely sunsets.
Following the release of her critically acclaimed fifth studio album, West End Girl, the actress has a string of successful appearances.
After a seven-year hiatus for the singer, BMG released this record on October 24, 2025. It’s a deeply personal collection of songs that combines fictionalized elements with her signature soft, sweet, and calming vocals to give the songs devastating insight into her marriage to Stranger Things alum David Harbour.
Lily has confirmed that she will be putting together a West End Girl concert tour in March 2026, having announced it on October 30, 2025. The tour will take place at various prestigious venues, including the London Palladium, across the UK.
Due to high demand, she will be performing the songs chronologically in November 2025, adding a second leg to her tour for June 2026, which will be performed at arena venues, including The O2.
Meanwhile, Lily first shot to fame after posting songs to MySpace in 2005 which subsequently led to some of her tracks being played on BBC Radio 1 and a record deal.
Her debut album Alright, Still confirmed her status as a reckoned-out popstar force while her debut single Smile, which was released in July 2006, propelled her to stardom.
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She was nominated for thecoveted Laurence Olivier Award after making her West End stage debut in the horror-comedy 2: 22 A Ghost Story. She has since won a BRIT and a Grammy nomination.
Following her husband’s devastating diagnosis amid his cancer battle, Lorraine Luxe has stated that she is now facing the bitter truth that she will become a widow before she even approaches her 50s.
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The wife’s battle with cancer leaves her with a uncertain future (Image: Getty Images)
Lorna Luxe has opened up about the terrifying reality that she is now facing following her husband John’s terminal cancer diagnosis.
After his devastating prognosis, the 43-year-old social media star’s husband, who is 21 years her senior, revealed regrettably that she will end up being a widow in her 40s.
Her husband John Andrews is battling stage four adrenal cancer after he was diagnosed in April 2023 – and she says he has remained positive despite the huge mountains he has had to climb since.
Earlier this month, Lorna revealed to her 1.6 million followers that the former banker John’s cancer had spread and that sadly, treatment was ‘no longer an option’.
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The pair were delighted when they learned that John’s cancer had entered remission in November 2023 and had been keeping their followers informed throughout his treatment.
But tragically, his cancer came back in May 2024 and has now spread to his brain, leading to a hospital dash before Christmas when John went into organ failure – following a complication with his chemo and a bout of sepsis, which can be fatal.
Despite being told to “prepare for the worst,” Lorna still delivered John just in time to celebrate the holiday season together. We don’t know how long John will be able to work, so we’re running a million miles an hour, she said, adding, “It’s been quite frightening.” We are aware of our own timeline.
She also revealed in the chat that the couple have been making the most of each day they have together. She said, “I don’t have long-term plans.” Fundamentally, I’m likely to pass away at the end of my 40s, which is a bit frightening for women.
Following her husband’s scary admission to hospital in December, she confessed that he had told her they needed to get their ‘ducks in a row’ financially, but she also said, ‘we certainly aren’t discussing funerals or anything like that, though. We are just not in that space’.
The businesswoman also explained why they had decided not to start a family together and explained how the pair defrauded some £300k in debt to launch her now-profitable brand.
The pair, who reside in Warwickshire’s famous £2.5 million Ghost House, spent the money on designer clothing and travels in the wake of their convictions back in the summer of 201.
Although Lorna acknowledged that she attempted to conceive when she was in her 20s but was unsuccessful, and that she has since concentrated on establishing a career, the couple has also chosen not to have children.
She admitted, “I did think recently, “What if?” – and it was actually said to me, “You can still do it.” However, it’s more about how those things would fit into my life than what I can do or want.
“I’m going through so much with John that having a baby would seem selfish, especially if I didn’t have him around.”
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Now able to command up to £80k for one brand deal, Lorna – who previously said her husband’s dedication to her career was the key to her success – admitted that if it all fell apart tomorrow, she could find herself in financial straits.
Lorna has poured the £600k profits from her successful L. A. campaign, despite the fact that she claims she is “essentially skint.” In the future, Space brand plans to expand into the beauty sector.
