Teenager Luke Littler beat defending champion Luke Humphries 8-4 to win the New Zealand Masters in Auckland and complete a World Series double after his victory in Australia last week.
The world champion saw off Mike de Decker 6-2 and Gerwyn Price 7-2 in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively on Saturday before setting up yet another showdown with Humphries.
Littler threatened to make light work of the world number one, cruising into a 3-0 lead before being pegged back to 3-2.
The 18-year-old again rattled off three legs in a row to move 6-3 in the lead before eventually wrapping up an impressive 8-4 victory.
“I felt untouchable tonight,” Littler said.
“It couldn’t have gone any better – the scoring, the doubles and then in the final I just felt untouchable.”
The Englishman recorded an average of 115.02 on his way to victory – the highest average ever in a World Series event final.
It was the fourth consecutive success for Littler against Humphries and edges him ahead in their career head-to-head with eight wins to seven.
“I was really good tonight and he [Humphries] couldn’t do much,” Littler added. I was disappointed going in 4-2 because it could have been 5-1 or 6-0.
Brookside was the gritty soap that shocked the nation, smashed taboos, and made suburban cul-de-sacs the stage for explosive drama. But what happened to the cast?
Brookside, the groundbreaking soap that shocked the nation and turned ordinary suburban streets into a hotbed of drama, was a staple of British television for over two decades.
The show, which first aired on Channel 4 on 2 November 1982, followed the everyday lives of its characters, dealing with everything from heart-wrenching break-ups to shocking crimes that reflected real issues in the UK. The Liverpool-based soap ran for an impressive 21 years before its final episode aired on 4 November 2003.
Created by Phil Redmond, Brookside was never one to shy away from controversial topics – it was responsible for the UK’s first pre-watershed lesbian kiss and tackled subjects such as domestic abuse, incest, and even a body buried under a patio.
Now, the beloved soap is poised for a comeback – featuring in an unprecedented crossover with Hollyoaks.
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Brookside wrapped in November 2003(Image: Mirrorpix)
After Brookside concluded on November 4th 2003, Hollyoaks stepped up as Channel 4’s premier continuing drama. The show began production on a portion of Brookside’s former set, which remains its filming location to this day.
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As Hollyoaks gears up to celebrate its 30th anniversary this October, it plans to commemorate the occasion with a special episode that pays homage to both Brookside and their shared creator, Sir Phil Redmond.
The upcoming crossover episode will delight viewers with the reappearance of beloved, classic Brookside characters to celebrate this significant event.
But what became of the Brookside cast once the cameras stopped rolling? From heartbreaking losses to surprising career changes, here’s a look at where some of the show’s biggest stars ended up.
Dean Sullivan (Jimmy Corkhill)
Actor Dean Sullivan in the pressroom at the 5th Annual British Soap Awards in London on May 10th 2003.(Image: Getty Images)
Jimmy, a troubled drug addict turned teacher, was one of Brookside’s longest-serving characters. Portrayed by Dean Sullivan, he joined the series in 1986 and was involved in many major storylines.
Tragically, Dean passed away in 2023 at the age of 68 after a battle with prostate cancer, a diagnosis he had bravely shared just months before his death. He had been diagnosed in 2018 and had been receiving treatment.
Following his passing, fans and former co-stars paid their respects.
Sue Jenkins (Jackie Corkhill)
Sue Jenkins attended Dean Sullivan’s funeral(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
Jackie Corkhill, played by Sue Jenkins, was the long-suffering wife of Jimmy Corkhill, enduring his emotional turmoil and schemes in many of the show’s most gripping storylines.
Since the end of the show, Sue has continued her acting career with roles in Coronation Street, Holby City, and Doctors, as well as theatre productions. Now 66, she is a vocal advocate for arts education and is married to David Fleeshman, with whom she has three children, Richard, Emily and Rosie.
Anna Friel (Beth Jordache)
Anna Friel as Beth Jordache with Margaret Clemence played by actress Nicola Stephenson.(Image: Channel 4)
Beth Jordache, portrayed by Anna Friel, became a cultural icon when she was involved in the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss on British television, a storyline that made international headlines. The episode aired in January 1994, also featuring Margaret Clemence, played by Nicola Stephenson.
Anna has since built a highly successful acting career on both sides of the Atlantic, starring in shows like Pushing Daisies, Marcella, and The Girlfriend Experience. Now 48, she is an award-winning actress and a regular on the red carpet.
She has been married twice and has one child.
Claire Sweeney (Lindsey Corkhill)
Claire Sweeney attends the World Premiere of “A Minecraft Movie” at the Cineworld Leicester Square on March 30, 2025 (Image: WireImage)
Claire Sweeney played Lindsey Corkhill, a member of the troubled Corkhill family, who found herself caught up in love triangles, dodgy dealings, and emotional confrontations. Lindsey started as a recurring character before being promoted to the regular cast in 1995.
Actress Claire shot to fame following Brookside, transitioning into musical theatre, releasing an album, and becoming a Loose Women panellist. She has recently made a comeback to the soap world with a stint on Coronation Street.
Earlier this year, Claire delighted Brookside enthusiasts as she returned to the West Derby houses where the programme was originally filmed. The 53-year-old shared numerous photographs and videos on Instagram from her impromptu nostalgic journey.
In her Instagram video, Claire revealed to followers that whilst she had visited the location the previous year, she had spotted a “beautiful little surprise” beneath the Brookside sign commemorating Dean Sullivan, who portrayed her on-screen father Jimmy.
Michael Starke (Sinbad Sweeney)
Michael Starke at Dean Sullivan’s funeral(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
Sinbad Sweeney was a window cleaner with a heart of gold. He became a viewer favourite after joining the programme in 1984.
Actor Michael Starke subsequently featured in The Royal, Coronation Street, and even enjoyed a role in Benidorm. He has also established himself as a pantomime regular and serves as a dedicated ambassador for Liverpool’s cultural scene.
Now 67, his latest role saw him portray a taxi driver in Hollyoaks from 2021 to 2023.
Jennifer Ellison (Emily Shadwick)
Brookside actresses Jennifer Ellison, left, and Suzanne Collins, in 1999(Image: Mirrorpix)
Emily’s storyline concluded in devastating fashion, with her character’s tragic plunge from a window ranking among Brookside’s most shocking departures. Actress Jennifer switched gears to pop music, reality TV (Dancing on Ice, Hell’s Kitchen), and theatre, before launching her own dance academy in Liverpool.
She also starred in the West End and now leads a quieter life centred around family.
She is married to Rob Tickle and they have three children.
Jennifer’s married now with three kids
Louis Emerick (Mick Johnson)
Louis Emerick(Image: Lime)
Mick Johnson was the straight-talking single dad and mini-mart owner with a strong moral compass. He made his final appearance on 22 August 2001, having first appeared in 1989.
Actor Louis Emerick, 64, has continued his acting career in TV dramas and soaps, including Coronation Street and Doctors, and has performed in theatre tours across the UK.
Where are the others?
Several cast members left the industry altogether – some moved abroad, others stepped away from the limelight. A few, like Ray Quinn (who briefly appeared in the later years), reinvented themselves entirely.
Ray went on to become a singer and X Factor finalist, with a stage career.
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Great Britain’s hopes of winning a women’s flag football medal on their World Games debut were dashed as they lost to Austria on Saturday.
Austria are ranked fourth in the world and claimed a 40-28 win in the quarter-finals against GB, ranked just behind them in fifth.
GB are now out of medal contention in Chengdu but the European champions went on to play a ranking game against Italy later on Saturday.
The British beat Italy in their group opener on Thursday and although this time Italy forced overtime, GB still managed to clinch a 35-28 win.
They will now face hosts China on Sunday for the chance to clinch a fifth-placed finish in their first appearance at the World Games.
The tournament is seen as crucial for the GB team’s development before flag football makes its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.
It is a global multi-sport event showcasing sports not currently on the Olympic programme, and GB qualified for the first time after securing seventh place at last year’s Flag Football World Championships.
GB scored four touchdowns in their first game on Saturday but were always playing catch up after two early scores by Austria, who finished with six touchdowns.
Austria led 27-14 half-time and stayed clear in the second half, with Emily Kemp scoring all four of GB’s touchdowns – one rushing and three from passes by quarterback Jessica Allen.
GB trailed 21-14 at half-time against Italy and fought back to lead before a late Italy touchdown took the game to overtime.
USA aim to avenge 2022 upset
Austria went on to face USA in the semi-finals, with the world champions having beaten Italy 33-12 in the quarters.
And the Americans had to fight back before clinching a thrilling 46-39 win at the death.
On the other side of the draw, Canada progressed to the semi-finals by beating Japan 32-27 while Mexico enjoyed a 40-0 win over China.
Mexico then secured a 25-13 victory over Canada to set up a repeat of the 2022 final, when they shocked USA by winning 39-6 in Birmingham, Alabama.
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It was an emotionally laden moment for the rescued 12 Nigerian trapped workers in the Central African Republic as they narrated how their Chinese employers sexually abused all of them while working for the miners there, just as succour came with their rescue by the Federal government.
The 12 stranded Nigerian men whose video went viral some three weeks ago finally arrived in Nigeria and paid a visit to the NIDCOM office.
An E-signed statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols NIDCOM, Abdurrahman Balogun, in Abuja on Friday, said the victims were received by Chairman/ CEO NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, as well as management staff in Abuja on Friday.
While recounting their ordeal, leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn, said it was important for the world to know that despite owing them 11 months’ salaries, “we were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.
“I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. We were treated badly there, but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today.
“I am one of those people who usually abuse Nigeria, and I don’t think anything good can come out of the country, but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), NEMA, Immigration Service and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately”, he said.
Freeborn said they suffered “a lot” in the past 20 months they left Nigeria.
He pleaded with the government to help them redress the injustices meted out to them by their employers.
He recalled how they were left stranded in the forest after work without payment, leaving them starving in harsh and unsafe living conditions.
“With support from the Presidency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NIDCOM, and the Nigerian mission, they were relocated to Bangui, provided with medical care, and eventually brought safely back home”, the statement read in part.
Welcoming back the returnees to Nigeria, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa, assured them that justice would be served as the Commission, in conjunction with relevant government agencies, would take up the matter on their behalf.
The NIDCOM boss condemned the acts as inhumane and assured that the matter would be pursued to ensure justice is served in line with the citizen diplomacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
She counselled them to be of good behaviour and partner with the Commission in its advocacy on irregular migration and its consequences.
NIDCOM then gave some cash support to all the returnees to enable them to settle down while expecting their unpaid salaries.
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Dibiri-Erewa also called on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the Nigerians to settle down in the country.
A cash donation from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation, was given to all 12 returnees.
Adenugba explained that the support was a demonstration of belief in the evacuees’ potential, meant to serve as a seed for rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and creating new opportunities at home.
Grace Chambers, aged 97, has become Europe’s oldest Parkrunner to reach the 250 run milestone.
She has just completed the 5k run at Ormeau Park in south Belfast.
Grace had heart surgery four weeks ago but that didn’t stop her taking part in the run on Saturday.
On completing the run Grace said she was “over the moon” to have finished.
For many people, never mind an 88-year-old recovering from serious, invasive surgery, running is not top of the to-do list.
But Grace’s Parkrun journey began when a staff member on her rehabilitation team, who volunteered at Ormeau Parkrun, suggested she might enjoy coming along.
With a bit of encouragement from one of her daughters, Grace went to do her first Parkrun in 2016 and said she became the talk of the event.
Ormeau Parkrun
Grace became a regular at the community event and broke numerous records for runners in her age category in her first year.
“I just love it, all the people you meet, it’s just wonderful – people from all over Northern Ireland come and mix at Parkrun and you wouldn’t have had people from all the communities mixing like that when I was growing up,” she said.
The former teacher, who professed a love of mountain hiking and golf, said not even the suspension of Parkruns in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic slowed her down.
“I just went down and did it myself anyway,” she said.
Ormeau Parkrun
“I’ve probably done a lot more than 250 Parkruns, but the ones during Covid don’t count,” she added.
Not even a broken leg, suffered while out walking during the pandemic, stopped her, as she bounced straight back to Parkruns after recovering.
She’s now assisted around the course by her two friends Cathy and Sue.
A ‘local legend’ cheered on by Olympians
Ormeau Parkrun
Grace now has a bench named after her on the finish line with a a plaque that says “Grace’s Bench, Park runner extraordinaire”.
On a typical week, you’ll find Grace sitting on it after the run posing for photos with her fans.
Lots of people have come to visit Grace over the years including the Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes, who ran alongside her.
“Kelly wanted to talk as we were going round the course so I had to say, come on Kelly, you’re holding me back.”
Grace’s preparations for her 250th run hit a snag when she had a heart surgery four weeks ago, but she only missed one week during her recovery.
“I told the surgeon I was going to test out his work, I’ve got a new valve, why would I not use it,” she said.
Dr Jonny Mailey, from the cardiology unit at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital, performed the keyhole valve replacement on Grace in July and came along to support her run.
“She’s fantastic and what she has achieved is unbelievable,” he said.
“It really is testament to her as a person.”
“We’ve had visitors come specially to meet her, nobody smiles broader than Grace.
“Her warmth and friendliness has endeared her to all the regulars who love to cheer her over the finish line, especially on her birthday.
“Her grit and determination are definitely inspiring and sometimes quite humbling.”
Belfast South MP Claire Hanna is also a regular Parkrunner and cheered Grace on.
“Congratulations to the inimitable Grace,” she said.
“What an inspiration she is to so many.”
However, Grace doesn’t really understand the fuss over her Parkrun record.
“So what!” she said.
“Many people do much more remarkable things than this, but if it inspires some people to start running then that’s great.
