17 hours agoworld NewsComments Off on EastEnders’ Nasty Nick star reveals bosses sweet gesture to him after he was killed off – & June Brown’s surprise advice
EASTENDERS Nick Cotton star John Altman has revealed the sweet gesture from soap bosses when he was killed off the show.
The actor left the programme in February 2015 as part of the show’s 30th anniversary celebrations in which his character was killed off.
HandoutEastEnders actor John Altman has revealed the sweet gesture from soap bosses after killing him off[/caption]
Dan Kennedy - The SunJohn was close to on-screen mum, June Brown[/caption]
BackGridHe dished all on Saturday Night with Hayley Palmer (pictured with Francine Lewis)[/caption]
Nick died of a heroin overdose which left his mum Dot Cotton, played by the late June Brown, devestated.
Now, the actor has revealed the sweet gesture from then show boss, Dominic Treadwell Collins, to honour Nick’s iconic legacy on the BBC show.
John revealed all to Hayley Palmer at the filming of her show Saturday Night with Hayley Palmer at The Hippodrome in London.
He told Hayley: “Our producer Dominic – he appeared out of nowhere when June and I shot my last scene.
“He’d brought me some flowers with some silver cuff links and Nick Cotton 1985-2015 engraved onto the cufflinks.
The star went on to say of his final filming day on the BBC show: “It was all very emotional.
“I got emotional actually doing the scene and just on-set too.
“One of the Assistant Directors told me she’d vowed to ‘never get upset or emotional when I’m doing this programme’ and she actually said that me and June made her cry.
“When I watched it on the TV, the first time I watched it technically and looked at my performance.
“The second time I watched it, I remembered all the good times June and I had.
“I get really emotional thinking about it – I certainly had tears in my eyes [watching it].”
Elsewhere, he confessed how famed chain-smoker June once encouraged him to carry on smoking even after he had managed to kick the bad habit.
He revealed how June insisted smoking cigarettes helped him to “de-stress” and that he should pick the habit back up in order to feel calm.
John appeared on the show from the very beginning before bosses took the decision to kill off his character ten years ago.
During the taping for Hayley’s show, John revealed: “I don’t really keep in contact with any of the cast members.
“I just tend to see them at funerals or at charity nights – there’s been too many funerals.”
As well as chatting to John on her special show filmed at The Hippodrome in London, Hayley spoke to BGT icon Francine Lewis, politician Esther McVey and X Factor popstar, Chico.
Saturday Night With Hayley Palmer airs Saturdays on ChannelBox on Freeview channel 271.
HandoutNasty Nick was a notorious villain[/caption]
17 hours agoworld NewsComments Off on Yankees Hall of Famer Don Mattingly’s 2-word reaction to facial hair rule change
For the first time in nearly 50 years, the New York Yankees have loosened their long-standing facial hair policy, allowing players and staff to sport “well-groomed” beards from now on. The decision, announced by owner Hal Steinbrenner on Friday, marks a significant shift from the strict grooming standards established by his father, George Steinbrenner, in […]
17 hours agoworld NewsComments Off on Michail Antonio in line to make astonishing return from car crash with West Ham star set to be back in training in WEEKS
MICHAIL ANTONIO could be back training with his West Ham team-mates next month — in what would be an amazing recovery from his horror car crash.
The striker is lucky to be alive after a smash involving his Ferrari in Essex on December 7 left him with a broken leg.
InstagramMichail Antonio is on the mend after his horror crash[/caption]
Steve BellHe crashed his Ferrari back in December[/caption]
GettyGraham Potter has given an update on Antonio’s potential return[/caption]
Yet Antonio, 34, who was in hospital for more than three weeks, has been in light training in Dubai and could even return to action this term — even though it was feared he might never play again.
Antonio was due to return to London last night and boss Graham Potter hinted he might be involved in full training after the next international window in late March.
Ahead of visiting Arsenal today, Potter said: “He’s recovering.
“He’s been in Dubai and it’s been good for him to get that work in.
“He’s not at that level of kicking a ball yet.
“It’s just a case of slowly getting back on the pitch in probably a slightly warmer environment than our training ground here in February.”
Asked when he could be back training with the squad, Potter said: “I wouldn’t be thinking anything this side of the international break for sure.”
And a Premier League return this season?
Potter said: “I wouldn’t want to put any time on it because it’s not fair on him.
“We just take it day-by-day and see.”
AlamyJarrod Bowen paid tribute to Antonio after scoring against Wolves[/caption]
GettyHe could return to training before the end of the season[/caption]
West Ham has suffered in the absence of Antonio this season.
Since the striker was ruled out two days before the club beat Wolves 2-1 at the London Stadium.
17 hours agoworld NewsComments Off on Matt Sherratt admits family are ‘fuming’ with him taking Wales job for Ireland clash – & it boils down to cheap pints
MATT SHERRATT’S family and friends are “fuming” at him for taking the Wales job as it threatens their plan to watch today’s clash with Ireland downing cut-price pints.
Before he was appointed as Warren Gatland’s successor for the Dragons’ last three Six Nations games, Sherratt agreed to host his brother-in-law’s 50th birthday party at the Arms Park.
GettyHe’s been charged with injecting some sort of life into a Welsh team that’s lost 14 games in a row[/caption]
GettyDan Sheehan will captain Ireland for the first time this afternoon[/caption]
As Cardiff coach, Sherratt is charged just £2 a pint.
But while the party-goers are watching the match on TV, the caretaker boss will be next door trying to end Wales’ grim run of 14 defeats in a row.
The party is going ahead, but the boozers are afraid they will have to pay full whack although Sherratt revealed he has a load of vouchers for freebies that he will leave behind the bar.
He grinned: “It’s my brother-in-law’s 50th birthday this weekend and I got tickets for everyone to watch the game in the Cardiff clubhouse.
“But since I took the Wales job they are fuming with me and pestering me every day, asking if I can still get the tickets and have I got any free drinks.
“They only wanted to go with me because I get a pint for £2!
“They are frightened to death they will have to pay £3.50 per pint.
“I’m not sure they wanted me there for my company or my contacts!
“I haven’t told them this, but I have managed to get them some free vouchers.”
With that headache taken care of, Sherratt can focus on trying to breathe fire into the Dragons, against a team who are 50-1 ON to win in Cardiff and wrap up the Triple Crown.
18 hours agoworld NewsComments Off on Andrew Porter reveals ‘win-win’ stamina secrets as Ireland prop maintains incredible Six Nations durability
ANDREW PORTER sat for his media duties this week dressed in shorts and a T-shirt with the sleeves ripped off.
It was not a fashion statement but a joke at the prop’s expense.
He insists Cardiff’s Principality Stadium is still a ‘fortress’ for Wales despite them being at a low ebb
Not that he was forthcoming with the details as he insisted: “I didn’t do it. It wasn’t my decision. I’m not going to say who did it either, not going to rat him out!”
But many would not have been surprised if it was the Leinster star’s own choice to turn out like that and show off his muscles — he could easily have gone for a quick gym session beforehand as there is no one fitter in rugby.
In an attritional sport, and playing in a position that punishes the body, Porter is like the Duracell Bunny that can just go on and on.
Whereas many front-rowers are normally called ashore around the hour mark or sooner, loosehead Porter’s early departures tend to only come in games that are already in the bag.
But in the tight ones — be it South Africa or the All Blacks at the World Cup or the recent November internationals — the 29-year-old nearly always goes the full 80 minutes.
Porter’s shortest game in this season’s Six Nations so far was against Scotland when he was replaced by Cian Healy after 69 minutes.
Scotland’s Zander Fagerson is the only front-rower in the same stamina bracket having played 67 minutes against Ireland and 68 against Italy.
So how does Porter do what few, if anybody else at all, can manage?
He said: “I would have always enjoyed training and enjoyed pushing myself, but I wouldn’t really do much extras in-season.
“Some days are obviously tougher than others, pre-season you’re kind of dreading a small bit, there’s good days and bad days.
“But bottom line, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else really at the moment. Where else would I rather be, really?
“In training you’re in with your mates, even if you do have tough pitch sessions and a tough pre-season, you’re there doing it alongside your mates. It’s a win-win situation.
“I go to the well a good bit in pre-season and post-season and a lot of my time off feels like time on as well because I just enjoy training so much and I enjoy just being ready for if I need to play 50 minutes or 80.
“I suppose I like to cover all bases and just be as best prepared as I can, but in terms of in-season I wouldn’t really do that much extra.
“The training that we do is something that prepares us incredibly well. They’re incredibly intense training sessions.”
Porter insisted that preparation allows him to go full tilt for all the time it is needed.
But he also stressed that it is not just about fitness. It is also about know-how.
Of course he would not have got the know-how without the stamina that has allowed him to play more than anyone else.
He added: “I’m getting a few more minutes than four years ago.
“A bit more experience under my belt in my current position.
“I suppose I was playing tighthead back then and it was relatively new to me because I made the switch from tighthead to loosehead quite early in my professional career.
“So I suppose I’m a small bit of a different player. I’ve gone through good and bad experiences along the way.
“I think that’s added to my arsenal. Hopefully I’m a better player, a more rounded player.
“It probably just came off the back of a few good games that I was playing more minutes.
“I just want to be able to cover all bases and have every box ticked really and be as best prepared as I can.
“It definitely comes through the games, playing, and you can see the games as working on your fitness as well.
“The amount you’re sprinting, the easy option would be just to plod along and hope that the ball doesn’t come towards you.
“But I suppose I’ve changed my mindset to try and get to everywhere I need to be.
“The extra minutes have helped that and helped my development as a player as well.”
CARDIFF CLASH
Wales will see that progress up close having been able to track Porter’s development as he played 72 minutes against them last year, 73 the year before and 66 in 2022.
But Porter acknowledged that it is hard to get a handle on what type of Welsh team Ireland will face today under interim coach Matt Sherratt.
They may have lost 14 internationals in a row but Porter continued: “We’re not going to take it lightly. We’re treating it like any other game.
“We know the talent that Wales have in their squad. They have some great players and on their day they can play some great rugby, so we’re preparing as best we can.
“Wales are a different team when they’re playing at home.
“They’re a very proud nation and they take a lot of pride from playing in the Principality.
“It’s always a great atmosphere, playing there under a closed roof.
“It’s definitely a step up in terms of atmosphere, and the noise levels go up again.
“It makes it that bit more difficult on the field trying to listen for calls and stuff like that as well. It’s a great experience to be a part of.
“I’ve been on both sides of the result over there, winning and losing.
“It’s a fortress for them. So we’ll be looking to go out there and give our best.”
18 hours agoworld NewsComments Off on Zelensky would be ‘six feet under’ without US backing rages White House insiders as Ukraine readies to sign Trump’s deal
WHITE House officials have raged at Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he would have been “six feet under” if it wasn’t for US backup.
The scathing remarks come amid a deepening rift between Washington and Kyiv, with President Trump openly questioning Zelensky’s role in ending the war with Russia.
EPAZelensky would have been ‘six feet under’ if it wasn’t for America’s support, White House officials have raged[/caption]
ReutersTrump and Zelenskiy meet at Trump Tower in New York City last September[/caption]
AFPA Ukrainian military member looks at a heavily damaged building near the site of a missile attack in Izyum, Kharkiv region, on February 4, 2025[/caption]
Now, the Ukrainian President was accused of overplaying his hand in negotiations with Trump and alienating key allies.
A senior White House Official said: “Zelensky is an actor who committed a common mistake of theater kids: He started to think he’s the character he plays on TV.
“Yes, he has been brave and stood up to Russia.
“But he would be six feet under if it wasn’t for the millions we spent, and he needs to exit stage right with all the drama.”
‘WE CREATED A MONSTER’
The White House view is that Zelensky grew too accustomed to unwavering support under former President Joe Biden, including billions in military aid and NATO backing.
Now, Trump’s inner circle believes the Ukrainian leader has overstepped, Axios reports.
“We created a monster with Zelensky,” another administration official said.
“And these Trump-deranged Europeans who won’t send troops are giving him terrible advice.”
Zelensky has already clashed with multiple senior figures in Trump’s government.
“In the course of a week, Zelensky rebuffed President Trump’s treasury secretary, his secretary of state and his vice president, all before moving on to personally insulting President Trump in the press,” one official said.
“What did Zelensky think was going to happen?”
Despite the hostility, Trump’s team is still negotiating a mineral-rights deal as part of a proposed peace agreement.
“I don’t think he’s very important to be in meetings,” Trump told Fox News.
“He’s been there for three years. He makes it very hard to make deals.”
Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump doubled down, saying: “I’ve had very good talks with Putin, and I’ve had not such good talks with Ukraine.”
The US President also blasted Zelensky’s wartime leadership, callig him a “modestly successful comedian” who must “move fast or he is not going to have a country left.”
18 hours agoworld NewsComments Off on Kym Marsh has dinner with lookalike daughter Polly, 13, after split from toyboy boyfriend
IT’S FAIR to say Kym Marsh has had a tough week, after it was revealed she had broken up with her toyboy Samuel Thomas
But to cheer herself up, the actress, 48, took her teenage daughter Polly out for some dinner as she put the split with Sam, 29, to the back of her mind.
instagram/marsh_kymKym Marsh enjoyed some time with her daughter after her split from her toyboy[/caption]
Instagram / @samuelthomasukThe former couple enjoyed a whirlwind six months together before breaking up[/caption]
BBCKym is single again and moving on with her life[/caption]
It comes after The Sun revealed that Kym and Sam had actually quietly split before Christmas after six months together where they called each other “soulmates”
But the former Coronation Street star is now moving on with her life and decided to spend some quality time with her daughter.
Kym shared that she’d had a lovely dinner out with Polly, 13, who she shares with her ex-husband, Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas
The mum and daughter looked happy and relaxed as they tucked into their dinner.
Sharing the moment on Instagram, proud mother Kym wrote across the snap: “The best dinner date @pollylomas at the best restaurant. Epic as always.”
samuelthomas/InstagramSamuel is 19 years younger than Kym, and the same age as her son David[/caption]
InstagramKym was forced to defend her relationship with Samuel against trolls[/caption]
After telling one doubter to “do one”, Kym later added in another response: “It’s time to grow up and get on with your own life instead of giving hate to someone else’s life.”
To another hater, she added: “I wonder what’s missing from your life that you need to comment on others. Sad really.”
PAST LOVES
Kym– whose son David was born the same year as Samuel – revealedshe had split from her third husband, Army Major Scott Ratcliff, 35, in May 2023.
18 hours agoworld NewsComments Off on Map reveals where 70mph winds and 12 HOURS of rain to hit tomorrow as Met Office issues warnings for almost ENTIRE UK
BRITS are bracing for 70mph winds and 12 hours of rain tomorrow, as the Met Office issues warnings across almost the entire UK.
A new map shows large swathes of the country covered by the yellow weather warnings – including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
A yellow weather warning for Sunday covers the majority of the UKAlamyPeople sheltering from the rain in Glasgow this week[/caption]
MET OfficeYesterday saw a washout across large parts of the UK[/caption]
Southwest England and south Wales will be hit by a nine to 12-hour deluge of rain over the course of the day.
Rain warnings are in place between 9am and 9pm, as residents are warned of potential flooding to homes and roads in those areas.
They have also been told to expect travel disruption – with bus and train services affected – as well as possible power cuts.
In the southwest, including Plymouth and Exeter, 50 to 70mm of water is expected to fall – with 30 to 40mm in other areas.
And in Wales, 30 to 50mm is predicted – with as much as 90mm on higher ground.
A third rain warning is in place in Scotland, covering Wigtown and Dumfries, between 7am and 3pm tomorrow.
As much as 50mm of rain may fall in some areas, according to forecasters, with locals advised to prepare for travel disruption and road flooding.
Meanwhile, a wind warning covers almost the whole of England – except the southeast – between 6am and 6pm.
Gusts of up to 70mph could see road, rail, air and even ferry services delayed.
These should then ease throughout the afternoon and early afternoon.
A second wind warning is also in place across the majority of northern Ireland.
However, Brits will enjoy milder conditions today, with a few showers in the north and west, building slightly into this afternoon.
These will ease off again into this evening, with blustering winds building over the course of the night.
Expanding on the weekend forecast, Met Office meteorologist, Steve Willington, said: “As we shift from a cold easterly weather regime to milder westerly conditions, the Atlantic air brings with it some potentially impactful weather.
“Over the coming days, successive weather fronts bring strong winds and bands of rainfall across the UK with a risk some areas, particularly in the west later in the weekend, could see some low or even medium impacts.
“Weather warnings have been issued to highlight the potential for travel disruption, dangerous conditions near coasts and the possibility of power cuts for some.
“Temperatures are also on the rise as part of this change, possibly peaking at 16°C in sheltered areas to the east and north of high ground today and on Friday, which is well above average for the time of year.”
It comes after yesterday saw a washout across large parts of the UK.
In a post on X, the weather agency said: “Wet and windy to kick off Friday.
“Heavy pulses of rain will be accompanied by gales around coasts and hills.”
5-day forecast
Today
A bright start for many with sunny spells and showers, mainly in the north and west, but these will become a little more widespread during the afternoon. Cloudier in the southeast to start with rain slowly clearing eastwards. Staying mild.
Tonight
Showers will tend to fade with most places becoming dry with clear spells tonight. Cloud will build from the west later with winds strengthening as gales developing in the west.
Sunday
Unsettled on Sunday with wet and windy weather spreading across all parts of the country during the day. Turning drier and brighter from the west later with blustery showers.
Monday to Wednesday
Drier on Monday and Tuesday with sunny spells and showers, these locally heavy and slow to clear at times. Mostly dry and sunny for a time on Wednesday. Mild throughout.
18 hours agoworld NewsComments Off on Major fashion chain to shut high street store for good TODAY with 100 branches still at risk
A MAJOR fashion chain is shutting another high street store for good today with 100 branches still at risk.
New Look is closing its branch in Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf, with many more stores expected to follow suit.
GoogleNew Look is planning to close nearly 100 stores[/caption]
The news comes shortly after reports emerged that the fashion retailer is accelerating plans to close nearly 100 stores, following challenges linked to the Autumn Budget tax changes.
The sites at Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, as well as in St Austell, Cornwall, and Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf have also shut up shop.
This equates to about 91 stores, with a significant impact on it’s 8,000 strong workforce.
The company has restructured its store estate twice in the past six years, reducing its portfolio from around 600 UK stores in 2018.
HISTORY OF NEW LOOK
FOUNDED in 1969 by Tom Singh with a modest loan of £5,000 from his parents, the first shop opened in Taunton, Somerset.
Singh’s vision was simple but revolutionary: to offer the latest fashion trends at accessible prices.
This focus on “fast fashion” proved a winning formula, propelling the brand’s rapid growth throughout the following decades.
By the 1990s, New Look had expanded significantly, growing from 200 to an impressive 1,000 stores.
This period saw the introduction of new lines, including menswear, teen, and maternity wear, further broadening the brand’s appeal.
Embracing the digital age, New Look launched its online store in 2007, bringing its trendy offerings to an even wider audience.
The brand’s success wasn’t confined to the UK. New Look expanded internationally, establishing a presence in numerous countries across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
At its peak, the company boasted over 900 stores internationally and employed over 18,000 staff.
New Look’s ownership structure has also evolved over the years. In 2004, the company went private, with founder Tom Singh, chief executive Phil Wrigley, and private equity investors taking the reins.
In 2015, South African investment firm Brait SE acquired a 90% stake in New Look for £780 million, with the Singh family and management retaining the remaining 10%.
Tom Singh himself announced his departure from the company in 2019, marking the end of an era for the brand he built.
For the time being, stores remain open as usual, and no final decisions regarding closures have been made.
Employers currently pay NICs for most workers earning more than £9,100 a year.
The sum they pay is the equivalent of 13.8% of the employee’s earnings above that threshold.
For an employee earning £30,000, the employer would pay NICs of £2,884.20.
However, in the Autumn Statement, the Treasury announced it would increase the tax rate to 15% and reduce the threshold at which firms must pay to £5,000.
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that these changes will create a £2.3billion bill for the sector.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
A New Look spokesperson said: “Our store estate is an important part of our business, alongside our best-in-class website and app.
“We have recently invested over £3million in our stores in Greater Manchester to trial new omnichannel initiatives to improve customer experience.
“We also continue to invest in our thriving online platform which has resulted in a strong online sales performance, with volumes significantly outpacing last year and an improved online margin.”
“On occasion we do have to close stores, either due to the landlord’s request or because the site becomes unviable.
“However, we always remain on the lookout for appropriate new opportunities across the country and continue to invest in our existing store estate.”
But, new research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.
A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.
Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.
Shevaun Haviland, the group’s director general called the situation “a pressure cooker of rising costs and taxes.”
“Firms of all shapes and sizes are telling us the national insurance hike is particularly damaging,” she said.
“Businesses are already cutting back on investment and say they will have to put up prices in the coming months.”
Almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024 after a challenging year for high street firms.
End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker.
It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date.
This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023.
It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the Covid-19pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns.
The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker.
Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations.
It recorded that the remainder of the jobs lost were through “rationalisation”, as part of cost-cutting programmes by large retailers or small independents choosing to close their stores for good.
Professor Bamfield added: “The comparatively low figures for 2023 now look like an anomaly, a pause for breath by many retailers after lockdowns if you like.
“The problems of changed customer shopping habits, inflation, rising energy costs, rents and business rates have continued and forced many retailers to cut back even more strongly in 2024.”
Independent retailers, small businesses generally with between one and five stores, shed 58,616 jobs in total during the year.
Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes.
Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
