NEIL ROBERTSON is hoping that when he flies to Australia to pick up a prestigious individual gong he will be bringing the Crucible trophy home.

The Melbourne-born cueist has been awarded the Medal of the Order by the Australian Government – which means he can have the OAM title after his full name.

Getty

Neil Robertson was awarded the prestigious Medal of the Order in his homeland[/caption]

This is in recognition of his outstanding achievements and service in the sport of snooker, specifically his world title win in Sheffield 15 years ago.

At some point, he will need to fly to Oz to receive the honour from officials – possibly in the capital Canberra – and the dream would be to go there with some extra silverware in his suitcase.

Robertson, 42, said: “That would be sensational, wouldn’t it? That would be awesome. To win at the Crucible before going out there.

“I believe there are events in April, May and September where you can pick up the OAM.

“So, I am hoping the May one is in the middle of the month after the Crucible has finished.

“That would be perfect timing, go home, see my family, That would be a really, really proud moment.”

Robertson, winner of 24 ranking titles, is arguably the most successful snooker player from outside the UK and Ireland.

In his career, he has hit five maximum breaks and only Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump and John Higgins have hit more centuries than the left hander’s mark of 972.

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The Thunder from Down Under said: “I received an email in December saying I would be considered for the award.

“It made me feel quite edgy. I was so excited but I didn’t know how much of a formality it would be. Or if I’d miss out.

“In some sports you have Hall of Fame nominations and some people never ever get in or only when they retire.

“You want these awards while you are competing at the top of the sport.

“I then got an email saying it would be announced on January 26 – Australia Day – and I was full of emotion.

“You never think you will get something like this.

“Especially an Australian playing snooker. Australia doesn’t just hand out awards in sport.

“You need to be a big winner. I think I have definitely been that. I am happy to get the honour for sure.

“I’ve seen Ronnie and Stephen Hendry get various honours in Britain.

“So to get that myself through snooker and join them with the Australian version, I’m really proud.

“My legacy extends beyond Australia. I have been a big inspiration to overseas players.

“Before I came along, and Ding Junhui as well, nobody had had huge success on a consistent basis.

“I think between us we have combined for nearly 40 ranking events.

“We have left an amazing legacy behind and inspired others to see that it’s possible to come from the other side of the world to have a successful career in snooker.”

PA:Press Association

The Aussie reigned at the Crucible in 2010[/caption]

STRICTLY Come Dancing has been a telly institution for two decades – although some stars have been cut in shock circumstances.

It comes as under fire opera singer Wynne Evans has been axed from the BBC show’s ongoing live tour.

PA

Opera singer Wynne Evans has been reportedly axed from Strictly’s live tour[/caption]

PA

Wynne danced with Katya Jones in the 2024 series[/caption]

PA

His exit follows make a crude remark about dancer and tour host Janette Manrara[/caption]

The 53-year-old made a crude remark about having a threesome with professional dancer Janette, 41, during a full cast photocall.

A source said: “He’s had repeated warnings about his behaviour and told to rein it in. He’s not been taking it in, in this day and age the BBC have to be seen taking action and safeguard everyone.

“He’s had a tough time with the death of his brother and people should give him some slack, he is going to take this time off to do some self reflection.

“He has a lot of support from a lot of the backstage dancers. It’s been a really sad ending to what has been a really fun tour.”

Wynne is not the first name to depart the show under difficult circumstances.

Here is a look back at some other shock Strictly axings from over the years.

Brendan Cole

Getty - Contributor

Brendan was one of Strictly’s original pro dancers[/caption]

Fan favourite dancer Brendan was a Strictly regular when the show began in 2004.

He was also the first co-winner of the Glitterball trophy, alongside Natasha Kaplinsky.

During his time on the show, the New Zealand dancer became known for clapping back against judges’ critiques he didn’t agree with – even having on-air arguments with them.

He was also labelled ‘difficult to work with’ by other members of the team and former partners.

Announcing his exit ahead of the 2018 series, Brendan revealed the BBC had “decided not to renew his contract”.

He said on Lorraine Kelly’s chat show: “They’ve made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I’m a little bit in shock. I’m quite emotional, and a bit raw about it.

“It’s done via a process of a phone call and stuff. I have had 15 incredible series on the show. I’m very proud of the whole show. It’s a great team.”

Giovanni Pernice

BBC

Giovanni appeared on Strictly from 2015 until 2023[/caption]

Italian dancer Giovanni appeared on Strictly from 2015 until his final run in 2023.

His final series saw him partnered with Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington.

Amanda soon quit the show, accusing Gio of bullying and a string of complaints, some of which were upheld.

Gio was suspended while the investigation took place – costing a reported £250k – and eventually left the show completely to join the Italian version Ballando con le Stelle.

Later, he won the Italian version of Strictly and found love with celebrity partner, Italian star Bianca Guaccero.

In January 2025, he opened up about a potential return to the BBC show – following his recent success.

Giovanni told the Mail on Sunday: “I think they have closed the book on that and moved on. 

“I would love to go back to Strictly because Strictly changed my life. It is a massive show, but I don’t think they’re going to have me back. They’re not. 

“I’m upset as well. It’s been a great, great, great ten years. I achieved everything. But it’s not my choice, it’s not my decision. 

“Everybody has moved on. Maybe I might come back in a few years like Alijaz. I think this is the path we take. And don’t forget, I’m the reigning Italian champion.”

Graziano di Prima

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Graziano’s axing was announced last summer[/caption]

The Sun broke the news that Graziano had been given the boot from the show ahead of the 2024 series.

This followed the Italian dancer having initially been announced in the line-up.

An insider told us his departure followed an internal investigation into a number of physical incidents involving Zara McDermott, who was partnered with him in 2023.

The broadcasting giant said: “We can confirm that Graziano Di Prima is no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. 

“While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established and robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate.” 

Arlene Phillips

Splash

Arlene was part of the original Strictly judging panel[/caption]

Choreographer and former dancer Arlene was a Strictly judge from 2004 to 2008.

She was part of the original panel, opposite Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli.

However, Arlene was the only one whose contract was not renewed for the 2009 series.

She was instead replaced by series five winner Alesha Dixon.

This sparked a conversation around ageism, with Arlene later telling The Sunday Times: “I no longer had a place on Strictly, but no agent, no one, to deal with it. It was a really awful moment. I loved Strictly. 

“I have no answers as to why and I wasn’t really strong enough to find the answers. You know, I didn’t have it inside me. It was so unexpected. There was no warning, no discussion. Nothing. There were never any conversations.”

Aljaž Škorjanec

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Aljaz initially left Strictly in 2022 – and returned last year[/caption]

Strictly’s cast and crew were left gobsmacked by dancer Aljaž Škorjanec’s return to the show last year – after it emerged he left the show under a cloud following a “shocking” altercation with a female professional.

The Sun revealed how the Slovenian star had agreed to leave after the incident on a boozy night out on the 2022 live tour.

Aljaz announced he was leaving Strictly on March 28, 2022.

At the time, The Sun reported that Aljaz had “verbally lashed out” and upset crew during the series, in which he danced with Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies.

A source told us in March 2022: “Incidents with Aljaz on the last series left some crew really upset.

“He verbally lashed out at various staff members behind the scenes in what some thought was an unnecessarily aggressive manner.

“Aljaž was seen by some as arrogant and pompous, and it left a bad taste in some of the staff’s mouths. Not many people will miss him.”

A spokesperson for Aljaž responded: “Aljaž has the utmost respect for everyone working on the show and it is untrue to say he was forced out or acted in an aggressive manner at any time.

“It was Aljaž’s decision to leave the show after an incredible nine years.”

In his Strictly comeback, Aljaž danced with Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, with the pair reaching the 2024 final.

They ultimately lost out to comedian Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and iPlayer.

Фото: Getty Images | Сумка Birkin   Хтось безпосередньо брав участь у розробці дизайну, а хтось своєю любовʼю до аксесуарів спровокував перейменування вже готової сумки. Втім, усі вони тепер повʼязані з іменами відомих людей. Деякі культові сумки були названі на честь відомих жінок, які надихнули дизайнерів своєю харизмою, стилем або статусом. Аксесуари носять імена акторок, […]

Садите картоплю для себе чи шкідників? Час пригадати городні хитрощі, щоб відлякати жуків. Це допоможе вам зберегти врожай і не використовувати в сезон отруту, хімічні методи боротьби. Досвід городників радить 3 рослини, що ефективно допомагають у вирощуванні картоплі. Подробиці Між рядками варто не бур’яни вирощувати, а корисні рослини, які відлякають шкідників. Є багато думок, але […]

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ASTON VILLA are closing in on the signing on Marco Asensio, according to reports.

Unai Emery’s side have added to their attacking ranks this month with Marcus Rashford set to seal a loan move.

AFP

Rashford was booked in for a medical on Saturday with Villa paying 75 per cent of his £325,000-a-week wages.

Now Villa are preparing another medical today for the arrival of Asensio, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The winger will join on loan for the rest of the season and Villa will cover 100 per cent of his wages.

The Midlands club also want to sign Joao Felix from Chelsea.

The Portugal international was Emery’s top summer target before his £38.4million switch to Stamford Bridge.

Villa have already signed forward Donyell Malen for £22m from Borussia Dortmund this window.

But they have cash to spend after selling Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr for £64m.

Asensio, 29, was heavily linked with a move to Villa Park 18 months ago when his contract at Real Madrid expired.

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He instead signed for Paris Saint-Germain and has made 47 appearances for the Ligue 1 club, scoring seven goals.

The Spaniard is under contract until 2026 but has been allowed to leave after making just eight league starts this campaign.

RUSSELL Brand is now reportedly living in the US full time and could be extradited to the UK to face sex crime charges, it is claimed.

The actor and comedian, 49, has moved his young family from Oxfordshire to Florida, saying he is being “attacked” and “shut down” by the British authorities.

Clint Brewer Photography / BackGrid

Comedian Russell Brand was seen leaving a yoga session in Florida[/caption]

Getty

Brand is understood to have left the UK for good[/caption]

Getty

Brand attends the fourth day of the Republican National Convention in July last year[/caption]

It’s understood they relocated last autumn before Donald Trump’s victory at the presidential election.

Scotland Yard is investigating the star over historic allegations of sexual assault.

But with him thought to have permanently left the UK it could result in potentially lengthy extradition proceedings if British prosecutors decide to charge Brand, reports the Sunday Times.

It comes after the ex Big Brother’s Big Mouth presenter was spotted for the first time since the BBC apologised for a “culture of silence” about his alleged behaviour.

He was seen leaving a yoga session in Florida on Friday.

He is staying with wife Laura and their children at a £1.9million bungalow in Santa Rosa Beach.

Met Police detectives are said to have passed the CPS a full file of evidence in November following a 13-month inquiry as a result of an expose by the Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

Brand has been interviewed under caution three times.

He denies any wrongdoing and says his sexual relationships were “absolutely always consensual”.

If the CPS considers a charge is authorised while Brand is across the pond, he could be detained by US cops under an international arrest warrant.

The Home Office would have to submit a formal extradition request to Washington on its behalf to seek his return to the UK for court proceedings.

However, Brand’s legal team would be able to turn to the US courts to appeal against such action.

THE TRUMAN SHOW

Neighbours in Santa Rose Beach say the star has been going to church in the town, featured in 1998 film The Truman Show.

A source said: “We see him in his 4×4. He always says hello.”

Meanwhile, the BBC apologised to staff members after dropping a bombshell report into Brand’s behaviour.

The Beeb published the findings of an investigation into his time as a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music.

The Peter Johnston review looked at eight complaints between 2006 and 2008 with two made while he still worked for the BBC.

Only one of those was formally made to the corporation.

It found a number of people “felt unable to raise” concerns about the presenter and believed he “would always get his way and therefore they stayed silent”.

It also said the actor and comedian was “perceived to be too influential” for staff to complain about.

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Троянди відомі своїм капризним характером. Зрештою, красуням це властиво. Розмноження та вирощування троянд може стати легшим, якщо скористатися одним цікавим лайфхаком для вкорінення живців. В цьому допоможе звичайна губка для миття посуду. Не викидайте троянди після обрізки Запропонований спосіб підійде не тільки для живців, які можна відібрати після обрізки, але й для екземплярів з вази. […]

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