Track cycling great Dame Laura Kenny has been appointed Commonwealth Games England (CGE) president.
At 32, she is the youngest president in the organisation’s history and third consecutive woman to hold the role after Dame Kelly Holmes and Dame Denise Lewis.
Kenny is Britain’s most successful female Olympian, winning five golds and a silver, in addition to seven world titles and 14 European golds.
She competed at three Commonwealth Games, winning gold at Glasgow 2014, and gold and bronze at Birmingham 2022 – the last medals before she retired in March 2024.
CGE says Kenny will be a “key ambassador” in the build-up to the next Games in Glasgow in 2026, while its chair John Steele adds the former cyclist will “play a crucial role in helping us protect the future” of the Commonwealth movement.
Glasgow will host a scaled-down version of the multi-sport event, which was due to be held in Victoria, but the Australian state withdrew due to rising costs.
“I love the unique feel of the event and I’m thrilled to work with and support England’s athletes as their prepare for Glasgow and future Commonwealth Youth Games too”, said mother-of-two Kenny.
“I have devoted my life to cycling and while that sport will always be my passion, it is great to have the opportunity to pass on some of my experience to athletes from a wider range of sports”.
Steele added: “Her passion for the Games is clear and her insights will be invaluable. She is one of our nation’s greatest athletes and that experience at the very highest level of sport will inspire the next generation of Team England and assist the CGE in supporting them.
” She brings invaluable experience to our senior leadership team as we look to the future with renewed confidence. “
Track cycling great Dame Laura Kenny has been appointed Commonwealth Games England (CGE) president.
At 32, she is the youngest president in the organisation’s history and third consecutive woman to hold the role after Dame Kelly Holmes and Dame Denise Lewis.
Kenny is Britain’s most successful female Olympian, winning five golds and a silver, in addition to seven world titles and 14 European golds.
She competed at three Commonwealth Games, winning gold at Glasgow 2014, and gold and bronze at Birmingham 2022 – the last medals before she retired in March 2024.
CGE says Kenny will be a “key ambassador” in the build-up to the next Games in Glasgow in 2026, while its chair John Steele adds the former cyclist will “play a crucial role in helping us protect the future” of the Commonwealth movement.
Glasgow will host a scaled-down version of the multi-sport event, which was due to be held in Victoria, but the Australian state withdrew due to rising costs.
“I love the unique feel of the event and I’m thrilled to work with and support England’s athletes as their prepare for Glasgow and future Commonwealth Youth Games too”, said mother-of-two Kenny.
“I have devoted my life to cycling and while that sport will always be my passion, it is great to have the opportunity to pass on some of my experience to athletes from a wider range of sports”.
Steele added: “Her passion for the Games is clear and her insights will be invaluable. She is one of our nation’s greatest athletes and that experience at the very highest level of sport will inspire the next generation of Team England and assist the CGE in supporting them.
” She brings invaluable experience to our senior leadership team as we look to the future with renewed confidence. “
James Corden has settled in northwest London after returning to the UK, purchasing an £11.5 million mansion in a star-studded area also home to actors Helena Bonham Carter and Tom Hiddleston. The family have also snapped up an area in Oxfordshire and had plans approved to build an £8 million property in its place.
The former Late Late Show host apparently bought the home last summer, and according to neighbours, Corden and his family moved into the mansion in December, just before Christmas, after completing extensive renovations, including the addition of an interior balcony, a spiral staircase, and timber privacy screens.
Corden and his wife, Julia Carey, were seen house-hunting in Hampstead in July 2023 before relocating from Los Angeles. That same month, they sold their LA mansion for £13.2 million ($17.1 m) to the daughter of a Hong Kong private equity billionaire, £3.8 million ($5 m) less than the original asking price.
James and his wife Julia have already moved into their new home (AFP via Getty Images)
The couple previously owned a £6 million home in Belsize Park, northwest London, on the same street as Coldplay’s Chris Martin. During their time there, Corden opposed a neighbor’s planning application to build a large basement extension, though the project was ultimately approved. He sold the property in April 2021.
In addition to their London home, the Cordens are constructing an £8 million country estate in Oxfordshire. After waiting a year for approval, they received permission in April 2023 to demolish a 1960s house on the site, despite initial objections from the local council and English Heritage. The large-scale project will involve excavating nearly 5, 000 cubic meters of soil, with plans to include a sauna, steam room, and swimming pool.
James became a global household name thanks to his Late Late Show in the US (CBS via Getty Images)
James and Julia, got married in 2012 and share three children. The family moved to the US in 2013, and James quickly became a household name after landing the lucrative presenting gig on The Late Late Show on CBS. The actor and comedian made his late night debut in March 2015 with actors Tom Hanks and Mila Kunis as guests – and UK viewers noticed he had made a drastic change to his voice.
Viewers claimed he had gone ‘ posh ‘ and he was speaking noticeably slower than usual to appeal to the American audience. There were also other big changes, as James decided not to sit behind a desk like every other chat show host in the US and interviewed all his guest at the same time.
Despite being an unknown Stateside, he instantly won people over with his funny gags, warm tone and hilarious segments, such as Carpool Karaoke where he took A-list celebs out for a drive while singing their songs. The Paul McCartney episode won an Emmy for Best Variety Special and the one featuring Adele belting out her hits has now been watched over 240 million times on YouTube.
In April this 2022, James announced he was coming back to the UK after spending seven years hosting The Late Late Show, reportedly turning down the offer of a new multimillion pound contract.
The ‘ homesick ‘ star explained he was left feeling like he was taking his wife and their three kids away from people. While tearing up on his show, James announced: “When I started this journey it was always going to be just that, it was going to be a journey, an adventure.
” I never saw it as my final destination, and I never want this show to overstay it’s welcome. I always want to love making it. I really think in a year from now that will be a good time to move on to see what else is out there. We are all determined to make this the best year we have ever had. We are going to go out with a bang. “
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Glenn Phillips produces yet another “incredible” piece of fielding, this time dismissing Shubman Gill for 31 runs with a leaping catch at cover to leave India on 105-1 in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Dubai.
FOLLOW LIVE: India v New Zealand – Champions Trophy Final
Glenn Phillips produces yet another “incredible” piece of fielding, this time dismissing Shubman Gill for 31 runs with a leaping catch at cover to leave India on 105-1 in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Dubai.
FOLLOW LIVE: India v New Zealand – Champions Trophy Final
Arsenal are 16 points behind Liverpool as they travel to Manchester United on Sunday in a Premier League game.  ,
But with their title chances realistically over, Mikel Arteta’s side will use the trip to Old Trafford as a chance to prove they have rediscovered their attacking verve.
After scoring just two goals in their previous four games in all competitions, the Gunners ‘ attack finally exploded in the Netherlands this week as they virtually ensured progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Arsenal, who still lack a recognised striker in the absence of injured pair Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus and are missing wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, hit seven goals for the first time in 13 years.
Adding to their goal glut against misfiring United would be a welcome sign that they can muster the firepower required to apply a little pressure to Liverpool while challenging for European glory.
Stuck down in 14th place in the Premier League and beset by defensive issues, the troubled Red Devils could be ideal opponents for Arteta’s men to fine-tune their makeshift attack.
Ahead of the game, Arsenal manager , Mikel Arteta said the 7-1 hammering of PSV Eindhoven had given the club a huge lift but urged caution ahead of the trip to misfiring Manchester United.
Second-placed Arsenal, 16 points behind leaders Liverpool, are realistically out of the Premier League title race after recent stumbles.
But they travel to Old Trafford seeking their fifth straight league win over their old rivals in Arteta’s 200th Premier League game in charge.
Arsenal, struggling with injuries in forward areas and goalless in their past two league matches, hit form in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie on Tuesday.
The Spaniard was asked what he expected from Ruben Amorim’s team, who have produced some surprising results this season including a win against Manchester City, a draw against Liverpool and an FA Cup win against Arsenal on penalties.
“That’s the history of that football club”, he said. “The players that they have and the coach that they have.
” Watching the game last night against Real Sociedad (a 1-1 draw in the Europa League) you come very clear that they are very capable to put a really strong performance and beat you on the day. So we know that, we know the difficulty of the match and that’s how we prepared. “
‘ We Just Need to Survive – Amorim
Manchester United’s Portuguese head coach Ruben Amorim applauds fans on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 16, 2025. Tottenham won the game 1-0. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
For Amorim, he does not believe he will get as much time at Manchester United to turn things around as Arteta was given to revive Arsenal’s fortunes.
The 40-year-old Amorim has struggled since succeeding Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford in November. The Red Devils languish 14th in the Premier League and are out of both domestic cup competitions.
The Europa League is the only remaining route to silverware and, realistically, continental qualification for a threadbare side preparing to take on an Arsenal team second in the Premier League and buoyed by a 7-1 Champions League last-16 win at PSV Eindhoven.
Arsenal’s Dutch defender #12 Jurrien Timber (C) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between PSV Eindhoven (NED) and Arsenal FC (ENG) at the the PSV Stadion, in Eindhoven, on March 4, 2025. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP)
Arteta has made the Gunners a force again, with some eye-catching decisions as he reshaped the squad after being appointed in late 2019, including getting rid of senior players.
Arsenal, on course for a third straight second-place finish in the Premier League, are away to United on Sunday.
Asked if he saw similarities between Arteta’s position and his job at United, Amorim said:” I don’t feel that. I will not have the time that Arteta had. I feel that. It’s a different club.
“So, we just need to survive with the players on Sunday and during these games.
” I think it’s a different club. I think in that aspect, the way Arteta dealt with that is an inspiration for everybody. I will not have the time like Arteta had. “
EPL Fixtures
Sunday
Chelsea v Leicester (14: 00), Tottenham v Bournemouth (1400), Manchester United v Arsenal (16: 30)
