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Eight-try holders Bordeaux swat aside Scarlets

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Ceri Coleman-Phillips

BBC Sport Wales
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Investec Champions Cup Pool 4

Bordeaux Begles (31) 50

Tries: Jalibert 2, Poirot, Barlot, Jacobs, Uberti, Mousques, Bielle-Biarrey Cons: Jalibert 3, Carbery 2

Scarlets (14) 21

Bordeaux-Begles continued their Champions Cup dominance by easing to an eight-try victory over Scarlets.

The Welsh side took an unlikely lead through Fletcher Anderson, but the hosts responded with five first half tries, including two for in-form fly-half Matthieu Jalibert.

Henry Thomas kept Scarlets in touch, and while the defence put up more resistance after the break, the title holders crossed for three more tries.

Anderson’s second saw Scarlets in the hunt for a consolation bonus-point, but tired bodies could not find a way over the line.

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Jalibert shines for second week running

With the hosts winning 13 of their last 15 European games, few had given a changed Scarlets side any hope of upsetting the French giants.

But they were uncharacteristically asleep in the opening stages as Scarlets started brightly in front of a packed Stade Chaban-Delmas.

They showed intent by turning down attempts at posts and it paid off as Anderson crashed over from a quick-tap penalty.

But no sooner had travelling fans finished celebrating and Bordeaux were back level, with Jalibert taking full advantage of a sloppy re-start to chip through, re-gather and touch down.

The skipper Jefferson Poirot added a close range effort soon after while a perfectly executed line-out gifted Gaetan Barlot a third score on 20 minutes.

The bonus-point arrived five minutes later when Scarlets paid the ultimate price for being caught offside. Jalibert conducted a devastating counter attack, linking up with France team-mates Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Scarlets kept in the fight and the forwards showed great patience with Thomas eventually squeezing over.

Scarlets defended heroically in the second-half as both sides introduced their benches early.

And it took almost 20 minutes for Bordeaux to find a breakthrough after Sam Costelow held up an effort from a charging Temo Matiu.

Scarlets were reduced to 14 players with Jarrod Taylor’s sin-binning and the damage was almost instant with Pablo Uberti one of several players queuing up to score out wide.

Still a man down, Scarlets found their third try of the evening and it was another close-range effort from Anderson who is proving a valuable signing from Crusaders this summer.

But slim hopes of a comeback took a significant blow as some tired defence saw Xan Mousques power over, with his effort quickly followed by a break away from Bielle-Biarrey, with Joey Carbery’s conversion taking Bordeaux’s score to half a century.

‘Inaccuracies hurt us’ – reaction

Bordeaux-Begles fly-half Joey Carbery said:

“Thankfully we got the result, especially after going away to Bulls last week.

“Training and playing [with players like Jalibert] you get to see how special they are. It’s a privilege to be out here.

“To win in Europe is tough, especially at home we have to win these games, and I’m just thankful we have done that.”

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said:

“It is obviously disappointing that we didn’t get anything out of the game, we were fighting hard for that fourth try at the end.

“I can’t fault the effort of the boys, it was just our inaccuracies that hurt us out there, you can’t allow a side of the quality of Bordeaux easy ins and I felt we did that at times.

“Our forwards carried strongly, I thought Fletcher Anderson at eight was excellent, he has been a really good signing for us.

“When we were in their 22 we took our tries well, it was just frustrating that the game got away through our inaccuracies.”

What’s next?

Both sides return to festive league action before playing their final two Pool 4 games in January.

Bordeaux face Northampton Saints on Saturday, 10 January (15:15 GMT) and Scarlets welcome Pau in the day’s later kick-off (20:00 GMT).

How they lined up

Bordeaux-Begles: Mousques; Penaud, Uberti, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Page-Relo: Poirot (capt), Barlot, Falatea, Palu, Coleman, Jacobs, Vergnes-Taillefer, Matiu.

Replacements: Everitt, Perchaud, B Tameifuna, J Gray, Gardrat, Retiere, Carbery, R Janse van Rensburg.

Scarlets: J Davies; Lewis, Roberts, James, Mee; Hawkins, Blacker; Hepburn, Van der Merwe, Thomas, Douglas, Ball, Macleod (capt), Davis, Anderson.

Replacements: Elias, Mathias, H O’Connor, Lousi, J Taylor, A Hughes, Costelow, Page.

Sin bin: Taylor (56)

Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)

Assistants: Griffin Colby & Christopher Allison (South Africa)

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Hungarian protesters demand PM Viktor Orban quits over child abuse scandals

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Tens of thousands of Hungarians have taken part in a demonstration in Budapest demanding Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s resignation over his inaction towards repeated child-abuse scandals in the country.

Since returning to power in 2010, Orban has promised to prioritise the protection of children in Hungary, but multiple high-profile child abuse scandals have rocked his government in recent years.

Saturday’s protests, led by opposition party TISZA’s leader Peter Magyar, came after new allegations regarding a juvenile detention centre in the country’s capital Budapest surfaced in September. Security camera footage from the centre showed the director of the Szolo Street juvenile detention centre kicking a boy in the head.

Earlier this week, four staff members were taken into custody, and the government announced that it would place all such child facilities under direct police supervision.

On Saturday, thousands of protesters walked through Budapest’s frosty streets behind a banner reading “Protect the children!” and called on the government to take more action against the perpetrators. Some people also carried soft toys and torches in solidarity with victims of physical abuse in a case dating back several years.

On Friday, Magyar also released a previously unpublished official report from 2021, which found that more than a fifth of children in state-run care institutions have been abused.

“We should be outraged at what is being done with the most vulnerable children,” Zsuzsa Szalay, a 73-year-old pensioner who took part in Saturday’s protest, told the AFP news agency.

Protesters in a demonstration demand Hungary’s Prime Minister’s resignation over the government’s perceived inaction about widespread abuse in child care institutions in Budapest, Hungary [Ferenc Isza/AFP]

Orban’s government has insisted that action was being taken against suspected child abuse.

The prime minister, who faces what could be the toughest challenge to his 15-year rule in an election likely to be held in April, has also condemned the abuse in an interview with news outlet Mandiner, and called it unacceptable and criminal. He added that “[even] young criminals should not be treated this way”.

But protesters on Saturday said Orban’s response was inadequate.

“Normally, a government would be toppled after a case like this,” 16-year-old David Kozak told AFP.

Last year, the country’s president, Katalin Novak, also bowed down to public pressure and resigned after pardoning the deputy director of a state-run children’s school who was convicted of covering up sexual abuse by its director.

‘Worst 48 hours’ since I joined Chelsea – Maresca

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Nizaar Kinsella

Football reporter at Stamford Bridge
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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca described the build-up to Saturday’s victory over Everton as “the worst 48 hours” since he arrived at the club.

The Italian delivered a cryptic message in his post-match news conference despite the 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

The three points, which lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League top four, might have improved the mood after defeat at Atalanta in the Champions League extended Chelsea’s winless run to four matches.

However, when asked about Gusto’s assist and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly revealed his frustration over the previous two days at the club.

“The way the players want to learn has been fantastic and this is the reason why I praise them – because with so many problems, they are doing very well after a complicated week,” he said.

“Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people didn’t support us.”

Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager added: “Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn’t support me and the team.”

When asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he replied: “In general. In general,” before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the media: “I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans.”

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea’s injury and suspension issues, pointing out they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

“I really praise the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap,” he said.

“And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are doing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he’s our best player but we play almost all season without our best player.

“We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I’m so happy for the players and it’s something that I would like people outside to appreciate because the effort from the players is fantastic.”

What did Maresca mean?

It was not immediately clear who or what caused Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his time as Chelsea manager.

In that period, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy after a match in Bergamo, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-match news conference where he appeared relaxed, and secured a win over in-form Everton.

It was not obvious whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, whether social media comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from within the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue related to the club’s fans, some of whom have still have yet to fully warm to him since he joined from Leicester in July 2024.

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Zoe Ball’s famous dad Johnny speaks out on ‘wrong decision’ to quit BBC Radio 2

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Zoe Ball announced she’d be leaving her Saturday afternoon slot on BBC Radio 2, just months after returning to the station after quitting the breakfast show a year ago

Zoe Ball’s dad, Johnny, has commented on his daughter’s “wrong decision” to quit her Radio 2 show for her daughter. The 87-year-old, who was known as a prominent kids’ TV presenter, spoke following Zoe’s shock decision to step back from her Saturday afternoon show on the BBC.

Speaking on Saturday, the 55-year-old told Radio 2 listeners: “I have loved being betwixt my dear friends Romesh (Ranganathan) and Rylan (Clark), and you know, I love you all to bits, but I’m not disappearing completely.

“Obviously, it’ll be Christmas Crooners, and I’m doing an eras show in the new year, more on that later. But I am thrilled to tell you that you will be in the safest of hands, because there is a superwoman who is no stranger to you all, but this does mean that she will officially become a member of the Radio 2 family.

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“You’ll have loved her on The Voice, The Circle, Big Brother, Cooking With The Stars, Love Is blind, and delivering babies, she’s a gorgeous lass, so welcome to the BBC Radio 2 family and Saturday afternoons, Emma Willis.”

Her dad, Johnny, who recently opened up about his prostate cancer diagnosis, explained why she left her morning show in December last year. He told the Sun: “Zoe stood down from the breakfast show, so she could see more of her 16-year-old daughter.

“You only have a couple of years, and she’s off to university and gone. Zoe didn’t realise you don’t see anything with 16-year-old daughters anyway, because they’re always out so she realises it was perhaps the wrong decision. But, she’s happy she did it, and now she’s got a totally new lease of life. Her career’s fine.”

Zoe left the breakfast show in December last year, six years after becoming the voice of Radio 2’s early morning output. She returned to the station around five months later, taking the more laid-back Saturday afternoon spot, between 1pm and 3pm.

At the time, Zoe said she wanted to “focus on her family”, and leave behind the “very early mornings” – she joked that her 4am alarm had taken its toll on her. The news followed a series of other issues, including the death of her mother, Julia, in April 2024.

Zoe has also been open about her temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) diagnosis, which causes her to suffer from headaches. She was the second-highest-earning BBC star in 2023/2024, just behind Gary Lineker. She took home just less than £1,000,000 for the year, making her the top-paid female presenter.

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Commenting on Zoe’s departure, Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, added: “Emma is one of the UK’s most popular broadcasters, so I’m thrilled that she’s joining the all-star Radio 2 family of presenters.

“I’m certain that our loyal listeners will welcome her with open arms. I can’t wait to hear Emma’s new show as a part of our Superstar Saturday weekend schedule, which features Tony Blackburn, Dermot O’Leary, Romesh Ranganathan, Rylan, Liza Tarbuck, Gary Davies and Fearne Cotton.”

Katie Price and Kerry Katona’s ‘double wedding and babies’ as pair vow to settle down

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Best friends Kerry Katona and Katie Price have made a secret festive promise which will see wedding bells in 2026 as they have vowed to be bridesmaids at one another’s weddings

Best pals Kerry Katona and Katie Price have made a secret festive promise – to tie the knot with their respective loves in 2026 and to support one another every step of the way. Not only that, but the friends have vowed to be bridesmaids at one another’s weddings and play godmother to each other’s kids, should they also be granted their wish for more babies.

“They are both very keen to get married in 2026 and will be there for each other on their special days. They’d love to have babies at the same time too,” claims our source. “Because they’ve known each other since the [ I’m A Celebrity ] jungle, when Kerry was going through a lot and Katie met Peter [Andre], they always said they’d be each other’s bridesmaids and they’d be there for each other when they first had their kids. So they have to be there for each other’s weddings.”

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“They could possibly have a joint hen do and whatever they do, they’re going to be doing it together. They could even have a double wedding.”

Both stars have had eventful love lives, with Katie, 47, embarking on a string of ill-fated relationships and marriages since divorcing first husband Peter in 2009. But she has been loved-up with former Married At First Sight UK hunk JJ Slater, 33, since February 2024, despite reports of a brief split back in July.

Kerry, 45, meanwhile, has three failed marriages behind her – to Westlife singer Brian McFadden, cabbie Mark Croft, and the late former rugby player George Kay. Last year, she sensationally split from her fiancé, Ryan Mahoney, following a “breach of trust”, but has since found love with personal trainer Paolo Margaglione, 33, who she met while appearing on E4 reality show Celebs Go Dating earlier this year.

Despite not always seeing eye to eye, Kerry – who is mum to Molly, 24, Lilly-Sue, 22, Heidi, 18, Max, 17, and 11-year-old DJ – is one of the few people Katie feels she can confide in.

In 2014, former glamour model Katie was left heartbroken after discovering her friend, Jane Pountney, had enjoyed a secret seven-month fling with her then-husband, Kieran Hayler, behind her back. Since then the star – who is mum to Harvey, 23, and shares children Junior, 20, and Princess, 18, with Peter, and Jett, 12, and Bunny, 11, with Kieran – has struggled to let her guard down.

“Katie doesn’t trust anyone,” our source claims. “But Kerry and Katie have a very close relationship and while they can get on each other’s nerves and have had their fallouts in the past, there’s still a very close bond between them. It’s a funny relationship. They have their ups and downs, but they’re like an old married couple themselves.” While there’s no doubt Kerry is very fond of Katie, her pal’s unpredictable nature has caused problems in the past.

In her 2022 autobiography, Whole Again: Love, Life And Me, the former Atomic Kitten singer revealed she “wasn’t best pleased” after Katie pulled out of being a bridesmaid at her 2014 wedding to George Kay, due to issues with her dress. “I was probably a bit of a bridezilla anyway, so I felt pretty p***ed off,” she wrote. This year, the pair’s bond grew stronger as they completed a chaotic UK tour of their joint live show, An Evening With Katie Price & Kerry Katona, which on one occasion saw Katie turn up two hours late.

At another date, Kerry was forced to walk off stage after suffering a panic attack. “They need each other, without a doubt – especially Katie, who just hasn’t got the confidence Kerry has,” claims our source.

“Kerry really is supportive of Katie. It’s lovely. She is a very, very good friend, but it’s [a situation] where Katie needs Kerry more than the other way round. Katie wouldn’t have been able to do the theatre show on her own, whereas Kerry would have.” One area where the mums have always been on the same page is their love for their kids – and their desire to have more.

“They both want babies,” claims our source. “For Kerry, it’s her last throw of the dice, and for Katie as well. They’ve both got to an age where they’re not sure whether they could get pregnant. If they do it, they’ll do it together and be godparents to each other’s babies and be bridesmaids at each other’s weddings. That’s the sort of pact it is.” While the pair might have grand plans for 2026, family priorities will keep them apart over the festive period.

“I don’t think they will do anything together this Christmas because Kerry has got a big family and loads of kids,” says our source. “Plus they’ve been working together, so they’ll probably have a break from each other, from what I hear. But it doesn’t mean they’re not friends.”

Last year – with the pair starring in panto in Northwich together – Kerry famously hosted her pal, posting snaps of herself and her kids in matching pyjamas, alongside Katie and her eldest son Harvey.

“Had the most amazing and wonderful Christmas with the most amazing children and friends… feel like the luckiest girl alive,” she posted on Boxing Day.

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If their pact for marriage and more babies in 2026 goes to plan, we can see both families pulling crackers together again this time next year.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman send fans wild with dazzling Strictly outfits

By in Entertainment News, News

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left Strictly Come Dancing fans speechless with their look. The presenting duo, who are no strangers when it comes to dazzling fans, looked sensational as they posed together for the live semi-final.

Claudia looked sensational as she stepped out wearing a gold coloured ankle-length dress, which cinched in at the waist. In true Claudia style, the presenter rocked her classic over-the-top make-up and her famous dark eyeliner around her peepers.

Meanwhile, Tess dazzled in a figure-hugging red dress, which featured a daring split up her thigh. The star wore her blonde hair in loose natural waves, cascading over her shoulder before resting on her chest.

One fan said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Claudia, Motsi, Tess and Shirley look fab tonight #strictly (and the contestants too). Anton and Craig look dapper too.” A second went on to add: “Tess and Claudia looking fab.”





Fans were blown away by Tess and Claudia's look for the semi-final


Fans were blown away by Tess and Claudia’s look for the semi-final

Just moments before going live, Tess received recognition from her co-stars as she marked her 500th episode of the BBC programme. Craig Revel Horwood said: “Tess, darling… This is, my love, to celebrate 500 Strictly shows.” “No way,” she replied.

Craig added: “500 of being fab-u-lous, darling!” Shocked by the news, Tess replied: “That was the biggest surprise! I had no idea it was 500!” Looking at Craig, she added: “You were there for 499, just missed one!”

This year, the duo will bow out of the programme after working together for over two decades on the programme. Claudia took over from Sir Bruce Forsyth, who co-presented with Daly until he left the show in 2013.

Currently, it’s believed that bosses behind the show are ramping up the search in order to find the next presenter. Reports claim that stars in line for the job will be put through intense on-screen chemistry tests to ensure they match the same levels of energy as Claudia and Tess.





Tonight marked Tess' 500th time presenting the dance competition


Tonight marked Tess’ 500th time presenting the dance competition

According to sources, a “Golden Ten” have been assembled to take part in a secret studio session next month where presenters will reportedly be paired up in various combinations to see who has the strongest rapport on camera.

A source told The Sun: “Replacing Claudia and Tess is a mammoth task, but the BBC have whittled down the talent to ten people. They will go to a studio and be put into different pairs to see who works together best.”

Some of the frontrunners are Bradley Walsh, The One Show’s Alex Jones and British comedian Alan Carr, who is understood to be the current favourite among senior BBC figures.

Rylan Clark, Rob Rinder, Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby, Amanda Holden, Alison Hammond and Angela Scanlon are also taking part. The source added: “It could be two women or two men paired, or a mix. They will ultimately choose whoever has the best chemistry in each partnership.”

Some contenders already have tried and tested on-screen dynamics. Rylan and Rob currently front a BBC travel series together, while Alan and Amanda host a home renovation show. But earlier today, it was announced that Zoe had left her BBC Radio 2 Saturday show, which could mean that she is in line for the job.

Zoe had previously presented the Strictly spin-off, It Takes Two, so she is no stranger to the glistening lights of the dance competition ballroom.

Meanwhile, sources close to Tess have said that she is “nervous” ahead of her exit and hasn’t made any backup plans. Speaking to Express.co.uk, they said: “She’s hoping to focus on her brands, but brands need the TV shows to stay interested. Claudia will be absolutely fine as she’s the flavour of the month, but Tess is worried.”

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