In the Women’s T20 Blast, Essex and Lancashire both claimed their first victories of the year.
Essex defeated Chelmsford 150 to win the match, but wicketkeeper Lauren Winfield-Hill top scored with a 42 from 25 balls.
Ellie Anderson of Somerset’s bowling team, which took the wicket of Essex captain Grace Scrivens, in the first ball of the innings, recorded a 3-19 score in the first over.
Olivia Barnes made a stunning catch at square leg to take Lissy Macleod, who was forced to miss the second with a hand injury and was unable to play any further.
When Eva Gray’s in-swinger took Sophie Luff’s off stump to give Somerset a 29-4 lead, their chances looked sluggish.
Somerset had a brief glimmer of hope after a 25-wicket partnership between Fran Wilson and Alex Griffiths, but when Wilson fell to Abtaha Maqsood, the visitors could see the writing on the wall.
As Somerset were quickly bowled out for 84 runs, the last batter being injured, with last batter Barnes unfit to start the game, with Esmae MacGregor posting career-best T20 figures of 4-8.
With a gutsy 18-run victory over Durham at Chester-le-Street, Lancashire Thunder regained seven wickets from their Saturday defeat by The Blaze.
Ellie Threlkeld, the visitors’ captain, top-scored with 48 while Aisla Lister added 42 without out, put on 140-7 in their 20 overs.
Suzie Bates and Katherine Fraser scored 61 for the hosts in search of their first win of the campaign in a strong start to the run-ahead match.
In the second half of the innings, Thunder took nine wickets for just 61 runs.
Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner has died aged 24. The former BBC show contestant died following a car crash in Manchester last week as his parents have paid an emotional tribute.
He had been driving on the A34 on Monday 26 May when his car left the road and rolled before landing on its side, Greater Manchester Police said. Sam had been working in Scotland and travelled to Stockport to attend a family birthday celebration earlier in the week, his uncle has said.
The landscape gardener appeared on the BBC travel show alongside his mum Jo. They trekked across South America in the second series of Race Across the World that aired in 2020. In a statement, Sam’s parents Jo and Andrew said they were “devastated”.
Sam competed on the BBC alongside his mum Jo, who has issued an emotional statement
“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident. Sam left us far too soon, and while words will never fully capture the light, joy and energy he brought into our lives, we hold on to the memories that made him so special”, they said.
Sam’s parents said he was “adored by his family” and described him as “loyal, funny and fiercely protective”. They added his time on the BBC show “opened Sam’s eyes to the wonder of adventure”.
His parents continued: “He was willing to go wherever the trail might lead and he touched everyone he met on the road. He found great happiness working as a landscape gardener on the west coast of Scotland.
” Sam brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went. He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts. We will miss him endlessly, but we’ll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade”.
Sam and mum Jo were unable to compete in the final leg of the race after they ran out of money. However, Sam had described his time on Race Across the World as a” life-changing “experience.
Sam’s uncle Jonny Dunlop has spoke out about the young gardener as he told the BBC:” What you saw was what you got. Sam loved gardening, animals and doing physical activity. “
Sam said Race Across the World was a ‘ life changing experience ‘ for him
He said his sister Jo and Sam had a” special relationship “and were an” enormous hit on the show””. The public really loved them, “he said.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said:” We sadly must confirm that the driver of a white VW Golf R estate involved in a single vehicle collision on Monday 26 May on the A34 in Gatley has since passed away from his injuries.
“The driver, a 24-year-old man, has been named as Sam Gardiner. His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. They have asked for privacy at this terrible time.
” We’d like to thank everyone who shared our appeal and have sent their best wishes to Sam and his family. “
In a statement at the time, police said:” Emergency services attended the scene and the driver, 24-year-old man, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, suffered serious head injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious and life-threatening condition. “
They added:” Initial enquiries suggest that the car, a white VW Golf R estate, was travelling north on the A34 in Gatley and officers believe that the vehicle went off the carriageway and rolled before landing on its side. “
Following the devastating news, a Race Across the World spokesperson said:” Everyone who worked with him and indeed everyone who watched Sam could see just how precious and transformative the trip was for both him and his mum, Jo.
“Sam embraced the seven-week trip with an energy, love and a determination that saw the pair enjoy adventures across Mexico to Argentina making audiences fall in love with them and their special bond as a result.
” Since filming, both Sam and Jo have been an integral part of the Race Across the World cast family and on behalf of us all from the BBC, production and the rest of the cast, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to his parents, Andrew and Jo, his brothers, William and Charlie, his step mum Justine, his family and friends. “
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Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had a controversial final few laps involving Max Verstappen in a McLaren one-two at the Spanish Grand Prix under the guidance of late safety car.
Verstappen participated in numerous incidents with Mercedes’ George Russell and was forced to use hard tires for the final sprint to the flag.
Verstappen was given a 10-second penalty for colliding with Russell after crossing the line fifth but dropped to 10th.
The four-time champion was on pace for third place before the safety car due to Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli’s engine failure, and had kept the pressure on the McLarens with a three-stop strategy compared to their two.
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At the restart, he lost control of those around him, and there were a series of bizarre, almost unbelievable incidents.
Verstappen almost lost his car as the race resumed with five laps left when he experienced a massive wobble as he slowed to a fast final corner.
Leclerc pulled alongside Verstappen while the Ferrari reversed direction and the two vehicles shook as they both sat still in Verstappen’s lap.
At Turn One, Russell plunged down Verstappen’s interior, and the Red Bull made contact with the driver, who held the position while retaining the escape road.
Verstappen alleged that Russell had pushed him away, but Verstappen’s engineer, Giampiero Lambiase, cited the rules for racing, which state that a driver has the right to turn around if they are far enough away from going in.
Verstappen appeared to be moving over to the inside to allow Russell to pass him outside Turn Four with two laps left.
Verstappen then suddenly appeared inside and speared into Russell’s car as he went around him.
Verstappen was fined for the incident after the Briton questioned what was happening on the radio.
Before the safety car, what happened?
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Verstappen had used Red Bull’s strategy to pressure the McLarens throughout the madcap final laps.
After the Briton made a slow start, the Dutchman moved into second place behind Norris into the first corner, but Verstappen started to struggle with his tyres after initially pressing Piastri on the first lap.
Verstappen made his first stop on the following lap, and Norris quickly made it on Verstappen’s tail and passed him on lap 13.
Norris and Piastri were left out for an additional seven and eight laps as a result of McLaren sticking to their two-stop setup.
McLaren was aware of his three-stop strategy when Verstappen made another stop on lap 29. He soon began closing on the McLarens in front of him and quickly regained the third spot he had lost to Leclerc.
Verstappen was four seconds ahead of Norris, who was typically three to four seconds, in the middle.
And McLaren responded with first Norris and then Piastri on the following laps when the Red Bull pitted for the third time on lap 47.
Before the safety car arrived, the three were running nose-to-tail after the pit stops, but Piastri started to distance himself from Verstappen, who had also distanced himself.
After the restart, Nico Hulkenberg led Sauber to a fantastic result, passing Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari for fifth place.
Over the weekend, EastEnders icon Diane Parish posted a fun-filled video of the 2025 British Soap Awards highlights on social media that did not reveal any of the winners.
Diane Parish shared behind-the-scenes content from the British Soap Awards 2025(Image: @officialdianeparish/Instagram)
Diane Parish and her EastEnders castmates made a celebratory trip to Hackney on Saturday night as they prepared to attend the British Soap Awards 2025. The 55-year-old soap icon, who has been starring in Denise Fox on the BBC show since 2006, was long on the waitlist for one of the show categories.
The star had been initially nominated for the Best Leading Performer gong, but did not advance to the second round of nominations for the prestigious award. Instead, EastEnders co-stars Lacey Turner and Kellie Bright were nominated for the gong alongside Emmerdale stars Beth Cordingly and Eden Taylor-Draper.
The glitzy awards show, which was hosted by singing sensation and cruise ship enthusiast Jane McDonald, was also attended by Coronation Street and Hollyoaks stars. When highlights from the ceremony are broadcast on ITV on Thursday night, some fans are awaiting the results to be revealed.
Diane gave fans a glimpse behind the scenes(Image: @officialdianeparish/Instagram)
In keeping with this, Diane took to social media on Sunday to post some of her favorite moments from the night. Before, during, and after the event, she shared a two-and-a-half-minute-long video of the festivities that included footage of her partying with other soap stars.
No spoilers for those who don’t want to know, Diane wrote in her main grid after uploading the footage. But I’m SO VERY appreciative of everyone who participates in “What a night” on @bbceastenders!
Diane, who plays Denise looked sensational(Image: @officialdianeparish/Instagram)
Clips showed her chuckling and chatting with co-stars, cheering crowd members in the live audience, showcasing Anita Dobson in the crowd, and partying at the after party. However, the after-show venue was the subject of a bomb hoax, so pop stars were in a fit for the occasion.
Following the main awards, the event took place at London’s Hackney Town Hall. However, shortly before 1am, after the event was reportedly threatened with a bomb, attendees were abruptly ordered to leave the venue.
“We all got evacuated just before 1am. No reason was given at first and security came round and told us we had to leave immediately,” a source told The Mirror – recounting the nerves shredding experience.
She was seen posing with her co-stars(Image: @officialdianeparish/Instagram)
Security informed us that there had been a bomb threat as we all stood outside the street. People started making their way home because we were prevented from returning to the building.
In a video shared with The Mirror, some of TV’s biggest soap stars can be seen waiting outside the venue as more evacuate – with the likes of EastEnders’ Tameka Empson and former Hollyoaks star Emmett J Scanlan among them.
Additionally, a show source added that “the after party venue was required to be evacuated due to a security alert following the recording of the awards.” Everyone was safely cleared from the building.
Fans of soaps took to social media to criticize ITV for failing to broadcast the event live, with many upset that they had to wait until Thursday to see who would take the stage.
Continue reading the article.
Taking to X to slam the delay in broadcast, one fan raged: “It’s ridiculous that the British Soap Awards isn’t live… there’s more hype for the soap stars arriving outside for something not even airing on tv for another week than there is the Britain’s Got Talent final… sort it out for next year please @itv.”
On Thursday, June 5, 2025, 8 p.m., ITV1 and ITVX will broadcast the British Soap Awards 2025.
Following her victory at the Soap Awards and his harrowing health scare last year, queen rocker Brian May has made a remark about his actress wife Anita Dobson.
Brian May has made a rare comment about his wife Anita Dobson(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I)
Brian May has made a rare comment about his wife Anita Dobson following her Soap Awards win. The Queen rocker, 77, gushed over the actress as she took home the Scene of the Year gong at the annual award ceremony.
EastEnders icon Anita, 76, made a dramatic comeback as her beloved character Angie Watts on the soap, and the move secured her win. Speaking before she was presented with the gong, Anita: “It was just perfect.”
When asked if she could go back, she replied, “I don’t think so; it would have to be something extra special.
As Brian addressed his wife in a public message of support, Brian made sure to congratulate Anita. He gushed, “Congratulations Anita Dobson!!” before going to X. !
Anita attended the award ceremony alongside Gillian Taylforth(Image: PA)
My incredibly talented lady wife, who won the Scene of the Year award, has once more shook the East End as a ghost from another life! incredibly proud!!! Bri. “
Actress Anita, who has been married to Brian for 24 years, spoke out about the musician’s health earlier this year following his terrifying stroke.
In September, Brian said that “out of the blue” he suddenly lost control of his left arm, and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance where he was diagnosed with a stroke. He was later told to take it easy and made the announcement himself with a social media video.
Earlier this year, Anita revealed Brian was in a “stable” condition. Anita gave a reassuring four-word answer while on Good Morning Britain.
She continued, “He’s doing well now,” before adding, “I’m very happy to say, thank you both for asking, he’s doing well now, he’s back to his old self!”
Last year, the We Will Rock You legend shared the news with his followers on Instagram by saying, “I hope you’re all well out there. I’m here to share some positive news with you first.
After the events of the past few days, I believe the good news is that I can play guitar because that minor health hiccup, which they referred to as a minor stroke, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, making it a little frightening.
He also praised the excellent care provided by the medical staff at Frimley Hospital in Camberley, Surrey. I must add that Frimley Hospital gave me the most incredible care and attention, and that they even flashed the blue lights. Very exciting” !
Brian also experienced a heart attack in 2020, and he was initially assumed to have had a simple injury from gardening. He now “could have died.”
He subsequently had his heart fitted with three stents, which are tiny tubes that hold open blocked arteries, that helped him recover.
Continue reading the article.
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Nils Koppen will step down as Rangers’ new American owners, who have appointed Everton’s former head of recruitment Dan Purdy as technical director.
A US-based consortium completed a multi-million dollar takeover of Rangers last week, including the team’s investment arm San Francisco 49ers.
The club moved in Purdy to work alongside him, as they did at Everton, on Monday, and new sporting director Kevin Thelwell officially takes over the position on Monday.
Koppen, who was previously PSV Eindhoven’s head of scouting, first joined Rangers in January 2024 as director of football recruitment before moving up to technical director ten months later.
Koppen will assist Thelwell in adjusting to his new position despite the club’s new owners’ decision to change course.
The Ibrox club is expected to name a new head coach soon, with Russell Martin and Davide Ancelotti reportedly the two top candidates.
