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Rugby red card rule changes: What is the 20-minute rule and what offences will warrant it?

THE Autumn Nations Series takes place in November with a new law for fans to get their heads around.

SunSport explains everything you need to know about rugby‘s new 20-minute red card being trialled this month.

a referee wears an orange shirt that says emirates fly better
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The 20-minute red card will be trialled at the Autumn Nations[/caption]

What is the 20-minute red card?

The new red card will be trialled at November’s Autumn Nations Series and is very different to the pre-existing one.

The new red will give the referee the option to send a player off for 20 minutes.

Once the time period is over, the offending team can send on a replacement player to re-establish a 15-player line-up.

Referees will still be able to dish out red cards in the conventional manner, which will remove players for the rest of the game and leave the offending team a man down.

What offences will warrant a 20-minute red card?

The 20-minute red card will be distributed to players for committing technical offences – such as accidental head contact.

While the permanent red would still be used for four play that is deemed to be “deliberate and dangerous”.

What’s been said about the 20-minute red card?

Following the Six Nations’ announcement that the 20-minute red card will be introduced at the Autumn Nations Series, the Irish Union issued a statement explaining they do not support the permanent use of the 20-minute red card.

An IRFU statement read: “The IRFU does not support the permanent adoption of a 20-minute red card.

“Player welfare and safety are paramount to the core values of the game, and the option of a permanent red card for deliberate and intentional acts of foul play supports those values and protects the integrity of the game.

“The IRFU welcomes the variation to World Rugby‘s closed law trial, which will be adopted in the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.”

The French Rugby Federation were also against the idea of the 20-minute red card being the only one available to referees, claiming it would be “unacceptable and backwards”.

Chief of rugby at Six Nations Rugby Julie Paterson, however, defended the trial.

She said: “No trial or subsequent change is considered without utter confidence that player safety and welfare is front and centre.

“First and foremost, we need to look after the players and their interests, and the trials we have opted to use this November deliver on this commitment.”

The possibility of the 20-minute red becoming the only red card available to referees is to be discussed at a World Rugby meeting on November 14.

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From start date to full line-up – everything you need to know about I’m a Celeb’s ‘best series yet’

I’M A Celebrity is set for it’s best series ever now this year’s star-studded line-up has been revealed.

The ITV reality show once again returns to the Australian jungle to put this year’s batch of famous faces through disgusting trials and torment, all while hosts Ant and Dec watch on gleefully.

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The new series of I’m a Celebrity is just a couple of weeks away
Rex

Fans don’t have long to wait for the screaming and tears to start either, as the launch show is only days away.

Ahead of it’s return, here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 series.

Who is in the I’m a Celebrity line-up?

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Coleen Rooney is this year’s star signing[/caption]
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Love Island’s Maura Higgins is also swapping her glam life for the jungle[/caption]
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Singer Tulisa is another glam signing[/caption]

ITV has gone all out this year to get some great names to enter the jungle.

Probably the biggest name in this year’s line-up is WAG Coleen Rooney, wife of former Manchester United player, Wayne Rooney.

Coleen, 38, has reportedly signed the biggest deal in the show’s history, surpassing Nigel Farage‘s £1.5million last year.

She isn’t the only glam to be entering the jungle though, as Love Island icon Maura Higgins has also signed up.

However, she will come face to face with one of her ex-boyfriend’s fathers in camp, as boxing legend Barry McGuigan will be a fellow campmate.

Maura, 33, dated Barry’s son Shane before she found fame on Love Island.

Other famous ladies swapping their glam celebrity lifestyles for jungle attire are singer Tulisa, former Strictly pro-dancer Oti Mabuse, YouTuber GK Barry and Loose Women‘s Jane Moore.

Meanwhile other top names to be signed include McFly‘s Danny Jones, radio DJ Melvin Odoom, Radio 1 rising star Dean McCullough and the Rev Richard Coles.

A soap star is always part of the I’m a Celeb line-up and this year’s pick is Coronation Street legend Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone Dobbs.

Which celebrities have pulled out of this year’s series?

There’s been plenty of drama before this year’s series of I’m a Celebrity has even begun, with two major stars pulling out of facing the jungle critters.

Former Love Islander and boxing star Tommy Fury was the first big name to have a change of heart.

He reportedly pulled out of the show when a more lucrative offer to have a rematch with KSI was put on the table.

The boxing match would take place at the same time as Tommy – who split from fiancee Molly Mae Hague earlier this year – would have been in the jungle.

The best line-up in I'm A Celeb history

By Rod McPhee

JUST when you thought this year’s I’m A Celebrity was going to be dominated by strong women – here’s an alpha male coming out swinging for the fellas.

Former featherweight boxer Barry McGuigan is a heavyweight addition to the jungle – and at 63 he just so happens to be the oldest too.

But, along with the signing of Melvin Odoom, he is really just the cherry on the cake because the line-up already looks like one of the best in the show’s history.

Star signing is unquestionably Coleen Rooney, with ITV bosses hoping (and praying) she’ll spill more beans about her Wagatha clash with Rebekah Vardy.

But there’ll be some serious feminine energy in the camp with Sun columnist and Loose Women star Jane Moore sharing fireside discussions with pop star Tulisa and dancer Oti Mabuse.

Perhaps the only thing missing this year is an obvious “villain of the piece” who’s likely to find themselves nominated for most of the stomach churning trials.

In recent years the jungle’s welcomed Seann Walsh, Matt Hancock and Nigel Farage, who’ve all hit the headlines for dubious behaviour.

But actually, the villains didn’t turn out to be the standout stars of IAC, and it’s still the less well-known celebs who emerge as unlikely heroes.

And despite big names dominating the buzz, my money is on Corrie’s Alan Halsall or the Rev Richard Coles as the dark horses of this year’s jungle.

Meanwhile another sporting star also changed their mind about taking part in this year’s series.

Scottish football legend Ally McCoist pulled out of talks with ITV bosses, with boxer Barry taking his place instead.

Ally, 62, was also approached by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2019 and 2022.

Back in 2022, the Rangers legend told how he had rejected a spot on the critter-filled show.

When does I’m a Celebrity start?

I’m a Celebrity fans don’t have much longer to wait to see the new batch of celebs face their fears.

The new series is set to start on Sunday, November 17, just two weeks away.

A start time is yet to be confirmed by ITV but the series usually airs in the 9pm slot during its run.

And this year, fans are in for an extra treat, as the show’s spin-off series returns, four years after it was axed.

A show spokeswoman said: “Since Extra Camp came off air four years ago the conversation and engagement around I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! continues to grow across all social media platforms.

“This new ITV2 companion show will bring together all those conversations in one place, to give viewers the ultimate IAC destination for all of their news, gossip and behind the scenes fun around TV’s biggest entertainment show.”

Now called Unpacked, it will be hosted by former I’m a Celeb finalist Joel Dommett, last year’s king of the jungle Sam Thompson and radio DJ Kemi Rodgers.

a man in a suit and pink tie stands with his hands in his pockets
Boxing legend Barry McGuigan is the father of one of Maura’s ex’s
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Coronation Street legend Alan Halsall has also signed up[/caption]

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Married noughties TV couple reveal they’ve QUIT acting after hit show and massive movie franchise – and have new jobs

a man kisses a woman on the cheek in front of a lexus and toyota sign

NOUGHTIES stars Ian Somerhalder and wife Nikki Reed have revealed they have ditched fame and have totally different jobs now.

Actor Ian, 45, shot to fame in The Vampire Diaries, while Nikki, 37, is known for the Twilight saga.

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Ian Somerhalder and wife Nikki Reed have revealed they have new jobs[/caption]
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The happy couple got together in 2014[/caption]
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AF Archive
Ian played loveable rogue Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries[/caption]
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The actor’s wife starred in her own Vampire saga, playing Rosalie in the Twilight franchise[/caption]

The couple, who tied the knot in 2015, have two children, Bodhi Soleil, seven, and Eagle, two.

The pair got together during the height of the fame, coincidently both starring in famous vampire franchises.

Ian was known for playing Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries, while his wife starred as Rosalie Hale in all the Twilight movies.

But the happy couple have ditched fame, and have switched to running a business.

In a rare public appearance, the husband and wife opened up about life away from acting.

Speaking at the 2024 Environmental Media Association Awards, Ian explained why he had taken the decision to step away from acting.

“I think it’s in the rear view mirror. I do,” Ian told People of his acting career.

“Well, I dunno, we got the rights back for V Wars, but I just don’t know how the hell we would ever make a TV show.

“We’re building three companies at the same time, raising kids.”

Ian and Nikki both appeared on season one of V Wars, which aired for just one season on Netflix.

But they have switched their attention to business and have been hard at work on their supplements empire, The Absorption Company.

Nikki said: “I don’t make any definitive statements about anything.

“I don’t look at anything.

“I work over 90 hours a week right now. I’m running a company full time and just launched another, a shared company with the Absorption Company.

“And I just can’t imagine being able to pivot my energy away, but there’s no door closed.”

Jose Mourinho looks set to secure right-back Nelson Semedo for Manchester United
Ian previously thanked his wife for helping out of debt
EPA

A few years ago, Ian opened up about how his wife had helped him when he found himself landed in a HUGE amount of debt, which spiralled during The Vampire Diaries.

Posting a birthday message to her in 2021, he wrote: “This mama. This human. I owe you such gratitude for it all.

“What many of you may not know is this woman is the reason I was actually able to build @brothersbondbourbon.

“I’ve never disclosed this publicly, but this woman worked selflessly for 2yrs to build me out of a terrible business situation I got myself into.

“Before Nik and I got together I built a company while shooting TVD that was important to me.

a blue container with queen mary university of london written on it
The Vampire Diaries star recently launched his own bourbon brand, Brother’s Bond

“I invested heavily, I made huge personal guarantees to banks.

“However due to greed and fraud within that company and fraudulent activities from our biggest customer, not to mention the temporary collapse of the oil and gas industry – I was left in an EIGHT- FIGURE hole. It was awful.”

Ian went on to detail his money struggles to his 20 million followers.

He continued: “A true nightmare day in and day out. I had to travel the world weekly to pay for massive monthly six-figure bank notes and ended up in the hospital 4 times in 2 years.

“This woman here decided that she didn’t want to see her husband ruin his body/mind/spirit and pulled up her bootstraps and got down in the trenches assembling a team to get to the negotiating table to find a way out.”

Furthermore, the star admitted the time was the “most eye opening and truly humbling experience”.

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The happy couple tied the knot in 2015

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Fears of ‘mass grave’ in flooded underground car park in Valencia as almost 2,000 still missing after disaster

A FLOODED underground car park in Valencia has sparked fears of a “mass grave” as almost 2,000 people are still missing across Spain.

The number of people killed by the floods has risen from 205 to 207 – and is expected to climb much higher.

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Footage shows the space for car parking below the centre filled to the brim with water and items
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a flooded area with a lot of trash on the ground
Bonaire Shopping Centre near Valencia show escalators leading down to the basement car park underwater
Solarpix
a picture of a flooded store with spx written on the bottom
Shops in the centre have also flooded
Solarpix

The flooded underground shopping centre car park entrance has sparked fears firefighters will find a mass grave when they pump out the water.

Gut-wrenching images of Bonaire Shopping Centre near Valencia show escalators leading down to the basement car park underwater.

And it’s causing concern about the final death toll from one of Europe’s worst-ever natural disasters.

The sign above the floodwater reads ‘Bienvenido’ – ‘Welcome’ in English.

Workers at the centre were previously seen using fire extinguishers to desperately escape ground-floor stores after getting trapped in waist-high water.


It comes as:


Looters took advantage of the flooding on Tuesday to ransack shops there.

Across the country an unbelievable 64 people have been arrested for looting, with five men accused of robbing a flooded jewellery store, El Pais reports.

Today Bonaire, one of the country’s largest centres, would normally have been packed with Saturday shoppers after yesterday’s All Saints’ Day Bank Holiday.

Instead silence now reigns over the centre still closed following Tuesday’s disaster which left a devastating panorama of smashed store windows and mountains of mud-caked debris.

Washing machines and other domestic appliances were also left tossed around by the flood water and dumped on their sides.

Local press have described the current scenario there as “dantesque.”

One outlet said: “The most shocking scene is that of the escalators disappearing and sinking into the muddy pool the Bonaire underground car park has become.

“The brown water is still there.

“For sure there are dozens of unusable vehicles floating around.

“It remains to be seen whether there are also victims who were trapped, because in their attempts to escape many people tried to leave by taking their vehicles.”

Workers at the shopping centre say there were less people than normal there the day of the flooding because of a red weather alert.

But they have estimated the number in their high hundreds.

One local wrote on social media: “I was lucky enough to be able to get my car out of the underground car park because they told us to evacuate.

a group of people standing in front of a store called stilo 's
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A view of the disaster area as search and rescue operations and aid delivery continue in Paiporta[/caption]
a group of people standing in front of a blue building
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People clear mud and possessions from their homes after flash flooding[/caption]

“When I drove mine out there were still people and around 30 cars. It makes me frightened to think what they’ll find when they drain it.”

Eduardo Martinez, who works at a clothes shop in the centre, said he had decided to leave his vehicle in the car park after evacuating and finding himself in waist-high water when he tried to drive home.

He explained that he opted to spend the night in one of the top-floor cinemas.

Eduardo told ElDiario.es: “Everything below ground-floor level is car parking and a security guard told me that when the water levels began to rise he warned people to seek safety on the upper levels of the shopping centre and not to go down for their cars but many of them ignored him.

“No-one knows for sure how many people there might still be down there. The car park is still flooded and they haven’t started pumping out the water.”

The number of people killed by the floods has risen from 205 to 207, according to Spanish interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.

The total number of dead will likely climb much higher as more bodies are discovered with 1,900 people already registered as missing.

Speaking to Cadena SER, Grande-Marlaska confirmed: “It is reasonable to think that we will have more deaths.”

King Charles has said he is “heartbroken” by the catastrophic floods in a new message from the Royal Family.

In a heart-felt letter to Spain’s Felipe XI on Saturday, the King wrote: “Your Majesty, My wife and I were utterly heartbroken to learn of the destruction and devastation following the catastrophic flooding in Southern and Eastern Spain.

“So many in the United Kingdom have strong, personal ties to Spain, and our nations are bound by so much that we have in common.

“We extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and to the people of Spain for the tragic loss of so many lives.

“Our special thoughts, prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with all those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods this terrible week. Charles R.”

a letter from charles r is addressed to his majesty
A message from The King to King Felipe VI of Spain regarding the ongoing floods in Valencia

It comes as a Spanish tourist hotspot has been placed on lockdown as the country prepares for more devastating floods – as 2,000 people have been reported missing in Valencia.

Palma, Majorca, is expected to take the brunt of the storm with homeless people being evacuated and tourists desperately urged to stay indoors.

The Balearic Island is preparing for a deluge with the main promenade in the city taped off and public buildings closed.

Videos have already emerged online of parts of Palma flooding with 120mm of rain forecast to fall in just three to four hours.

Palma’s first deputy mayor, Javier Bonet told locals to leave their homes only if “absolutely necessary”.

He said: “We are not on red alert, but it is essential to warn the population to avoid greater risks.”

Families are frantically trying to find their loved ones as time runs out and the region’s hospitals teeter on the “verge of collapse”.

Many bodies could be found in cars on secondary roads that have not yet been searched.

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More than 200 people have been confirmed dead after the flooding[/caption]
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Sodden, abandoned cars covered in brown sludge litter roads around Valencia[/caption]

Experts have found new records within the horrific rainfall as around 42 litres of rain per square metre fell in just 10 minutes in one Valencian town.

This is equivalent to a whopping 1.7 inches of water.

Thousands of sodden, abandoned cars covered in brown sludge litter roads around Valencia after the flooding turned them to rivers.

Of those dead, a large proportion have been tragically found in Valencia, with rain also hitting other parts of the country including Andalusia and the Balearic Islands.

Yellow and orange warnings remain in place for parts of the Valencia region and Catalonia through the weekend.

A telephone number has been set up for locals to call in and register missing relatives with 1,900 already registered, el Diario reports.

On Thursday, 600 people who were registered as missing were found.

Officials are now going through the grim process of identifying the bodies – with a team of 100 forensic experts only solving 17 so far.

Search and rescue workers are going car-to-car as many people are thought to have drowned inside their motors as they returned from work when the flash floods hit.

The mayor of Chiva warned Thursday there were still “hundreds of cars turned upside down and they will surely have people inside them”.

Others were killed because they went down to move their cars, worried about flooding.

One survivor told the Telecinco TV channel: “There are almost certainly more people who have died because the water washed people away who had got out of their cars.”

Thousands of volunteers are travelling from the area to help with the cleanup and continue the search for bodies.

With some roads closed, huge queues of people are forming as they march into the disaster areas with brooms and shovels.

Soldiers are also on hand, with Spanish armed forces deploying another 750 soldiers to the Valencia region on Saturday – meaning 2,700 soldiers are to be on the ground in total.

Psychologists have also been sent by the government to help the survivors deal with the trauma of the event.

A whopping 64 people have now been arrested for looting, with five men accused of robbing a flooded jewellery store, according to El Pais.

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A view of the disaster area as search and rescue operations and aid delivery continue in Paiporta following the floods[/caption]
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The horrifically high death toll has sparked outrage among residents[/caption]

Around 15,000 homes remain without electricity and railway services between Valencia and Barcelona have reopened.

As bodies are identified stories are emerging about who they were, including a 71-year-old Brit who died in hospital.

Among those tragically killed in the horrific flash floods is a former Valencia CF player.

The Spanish football club has paid tributes to José Castillejo, 28, a midfielder who also played for teams like Torre Levante, Paterna and Eldense.

It said in a statement: “We regret the death of José Castillejo, a victim of the Dana disasters.

“He was part of the club’s Academy until his youth stage and has played for several teams in the Valencian Community. RIP.”

The horrifically high death toll has sparked outrage among residents, with some accusing Spanish authorities of not warning people about the dangers posed by the weather soon enough.

Dramatic footage has been shared of how the flash floods in Valencia turned roads into rivers in a matter of minutes.

Shocking footage shared on social media by residents of the Spanish city and surrounding areas comes as the death toll for the disaster hits 205.

Two clips shared online show the speed at which the devastating flash floods took over the streets and gave inhabitants little to no time to flee.

An off-duty police officer from Benetusser revealed how he saved the lives of two of his neighbours with a rope made of bedsheets when the flash floods hit the region.

On Saturday thousands of volunteers gathered at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia to begin the massive clean up in the worst-hit areas of the city.

The number of people who registered to help is at over 100,000, according to the Valencian Community Volunteer Platform.

Why was Spain hit by flooding?

Spain was hit by flash floods after the east of the country was hit by a meteorological phenomena known as a ‘DANA’.

A DANA, or a ‘cold drop’ is technically a system where there is an isolated depression in the atmosphere is at high levels.

In layman’s terms, more warm and moist Mediterranean air than usual was sucked high into the atmosphere after a cold system hit the country from the south.

The easterly wind then pushed all those clouds and rain into eastern Spain.

Three to four months of rain fell in some places over the space of 24 hours.

The DANA system hit southern Spain as it arrived from Morocco yesterday and is now expected to head west over southern Portugal. 

Rex
Some residents are accusing Spanish authorities of not warning people about the dangers posed by the weather soon enough[/caption]
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Water and other supplies are shared in the street of Paiporta in Valencia[/caption]

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M&S reveals Christmas cafe food range including double wrapped pigs in blankets with gravy and s’mores milkshake

M&S HAS revealed its new Christmas menu in cafes up and down the country – featuring double wrapped pigs in blankets with gravy and a s’mores milkshake.

The festive items, set to hit M&S from November 6, also include a range of sandwiches, snacks and sweat treats.

two cups of hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows
(c) Tom Regester
M&S has revealed a Christmas menu in its cafes, including a s’mores milkshake and hot chocolate[/caption]
two sandwiches are stacked on top of each other on a table
(c) Tom Regester
It also featured a return of the Turkey and Ham Hock Toastie[/caption]
a plate of food with a yellow sticker that says hot hot hot
Other popular items like the mince pie and chocolate yule log are set to return

The pigs in blankets, which come with a side of gravy for dipping, will set customers back a modest £2.50.

The s’mores milkshake, which is flavoured with “toasted marshmallow syrup” for a taste of the fireside, comes at a steeper £4.

The indulgent drink comes with whipped cream, biscuit crumbs, chocolate sauce and marshmallows – much like the £4.10 s’mores hot chocolate.

Meanwhile, a favourite from last year’s menu is set to return, the £7.50 Turkey and Ham Hock Toastie, which also comes in a gluten free version.

The festive sarnie, which was a hit on social media, is getting an indulgent upgrade – with extra turkey and a cheesy bechamel sauce.

And a brand-new Cheeseboard Toastie has been added to the mix for £6.50 – with Barbers cheddar, Emmental and Red Leicester with a Christmas port and onion chutney and three cheese bechamel.

If sarnies aren’t your thing, you can also try the new Chicken Schnitzel with Roasties – served with cranberry sauce and mayonnaise for £9.95.

For a sweet treat, customers could opt for a piece of Christmas Spiced Tiffin, with flavours of cranberry, ginger and orange, or a Cinnamon Sticky Bun.

Or, they could play it safe with returning classics such as the mince pie or salted caramel yule log.

Meanwhile, the tried-and-tested Cinnamon Bun Latte and Cinnamon Bun Iced Latte are set to return to the drinks menu.

It comes as the upmarket fashion and food giant also added new items to its in-store range, including a Christmas dip with bacon bits, turkey, cranberry and stuffing.

The unusual dish follows a range of dips released in the summer including Chicken Caesar, New York Deli Pastrami and a Fully Loaded Indian Style Dip – which were a viral hit on social media.

In unhappier news for the chain, a beloved M&S cafe in Kent closed in September, with customers mourning its departure.

One wrote on Nextdoor: “It’s the only place where you can sit and have a coffee or go to the loos.”

However, there are still well over 100 cafes to choose from nationwide – with the new Christmas menu available in all of them.

HISTORY OF M&S

M&S was founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds.

The first official Marks and Spencer store opened in Manchester in 1901.

Throughout the 1920s, M&SA gre rapidly, opening more and more stores across the country.

The retailer made its reputation in the early 20th century by selling only British-made products.

It began textile sales in 1926 and started selling food from 1931.

The St Michael trademark was introduced in 1928 as a guarantee of quality and value.

This was initially used only for a small range of textiles but was extended over the years to cover all goods sold by M&S.

M&S introduced its first in-store cafe in 1935 in the Leeds store.

It provided cheap, hygienic, and nutritious mass catering.

By 1942, M&S opened 82 cafes across its estate.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, M&S had 234 stores.

By 1945, over 100 of these had been damaged by bombs, and 16 had been completely destroyed.

BY 1960, M&S pioneered in the sale of fresh poultry following the invention of the cold-chain process.

In the 1970s and 1980s, M&S pushed into international markets including the US, Canada and France. 

In 1979, M&S introduced the Chicken Kiev to its food halls across the UK.

In 1992, Percy Pigs were launched.

The Autograph range of clothing was introduced in 2000, and the St Michael brand was slowly phased out.

In 2019, the group announced 110 store closures as part of its plans, affecting several longstanding high-street shops.

In September 2020, M&S partnered with Ocado to allow for home delivery of the chain’s full food range.

M&S has recently announced new stores and is freshening up a swathe of others in a boost for shoppers.

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(c) Tom Regester
The menu features a chicken schnitzel with roast potatoes and pigs in blankets dipped in gravy[/caption]
a bag of shelter chips sits next to a sandwich
James Lee Ltd
The range is set to hit stores from November 6[/caption]

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Scottish comedian Janey Godley has died in hospice ‘surrounded by loved ones’

COMEDIAN Janey Godley has sadly died aged 63 following a brave ovarian cancer fight.

The Scots comic spent her final days in a hospice after revealing in September that she was receiving end-of-life care.

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Comedian Janey Godley has sadly passed away aged 63
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The late comic had a close relationship with actress daughter Ashley Storrie[/caption]
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The Scots stand-up star received end-of-life care for ovarian cancer
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The funnywoman had a string of showbiz pals including Nicola Sturgeon[/caption]
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The Glasgow-born comic was famed for her work on stage and screen
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At the time, she said: “The chemo ran out of options and I just couldn’t take any more of it and the cancer has spread.

“So it looks like this will be getting to near the end of it and it’s really difficult to speak about this and say to people.”

And just weeks later the funnywoman, from Glasgow, passed away surrounded by friends and family.

In a statement, her manager Chris Davis said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our client Doctor Janey Godley on 2nd November.

“Janey died peacefully in the wonderful Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow surrounded by her loved ones.

“She will be hugely missed by her family, friends and her many fans.

“She will be remembered for her legendary voiceovers of Nicola Sturgeon during the pandemic, her hilarious and outspoken comedy, but most of all for just being ‘Janey’.”

Janey revealed in September she had been receiving palliative care in a hospice.

Her heartbroken daughter and TV star Ashley Storrie took to social media to hail her beloved mum.

She wrote: “Earlier this morning Janey passed away in her sleep. Her family were with her.

“The love and support from all her friends and fans during this cancer journey brought her enormous joy.

“It has also been a huge comfort to us, her family and close friends, thank you.”

Ms Sturgeon was one of the first to pay tribute to the stand-up hailing her as a “force of nature”.

The former First Minister said: “Knowing for the past few weeks that this moment was fast approaching didn’t make it any less heartbreaking to hear the news early this morning that Janey had died.

“Janey Godley truly was a force of nature, and one of the funniest people I have ever known. I was able to visit her in the hospice a couple of weeks ago and though she was fragile, she still had me in stitches.

“Janey was also incredibly kind. And she made the world a better place.

“A bond was forged between us in the darkest days of Covid when her famous voiceovers of my daily briefings went viral. In the toughest of times, she made people laugh – and that was precious.

“She did more than that though. In managing to project the serious public health messages of my briefings to a much wider audience than I would have managed alone, she helped save lives.

“The photos on this post are from an event we did together last year – it was a special night.

“I was so proud to call Janey a friend and will miss her hugely. My heart goes out to her family and many friends – they are in my thoughts today.

“I know Frank will have been there, holding the door for her as she went – with a tear in his eye, as I have in mine. RIP my friend.”

It comes after a raft of showbiz pals comforted the late comic in her final days.

Two Doors Down fave Elaine C Smith, 66, popped in to see her pal with a stunning bouquet of flowers and gifts including a candle that read “you are beautiful inside and out”.

Elsewhere Janey got a call in her hospice bed from her comedy hero Sit Billy Connolly.

The legendary comic cheered her up with “offensive” and “disgusting swearing.”

A pal of The Big Yin’s revealed: “Billy was updated on Janey’s sad situation and he just wanted to phone her. I’m so glad his call seems to have cheered her up.”

Other celebs have rushed online to send their well wishes to the devastated family.

Larger-than-life Janey entertained the masses during lockdown with a series of viral videos poking fun at Nicola Sturgeon’s coronavirus news briefings.

The telly star had a close friendship with the former First Minister, who often sent her messages of support during her ill health.

JANEY'S TOP TRUMPS

BY MATT BENDORIS, Chief Features Writer

THE Scots comic went viral when she staged her own personal protest outside Donald’s Turnberry hotel in 2018 when she held up a sign saying, ‘Trump is a c**t’ as a police officer tried to move her on.

Donald was visiting his Ayrshire resort when he was greeted by the 60-year-old stand-up and her placard with the flowery language. She said: “I think half the world was shocked I used that word.”

However the notoriously thin-skinned Donald didn’t see the funny side with Janey later claiming he’d put her on a no fly list. She says: “I’ve been barred from travelling to America since I welcomed Trump to Turnberry.”

And as well as being an online hit she also appeared in Scots soap River City and the Beeb’s Have I Got News For You.

Born in poverty in Glasgow in 1961, Godley went on to become a regular co-presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends, as well as fronting BBC Radio 4 series The C Bomb.

The comedian was photographed at Turnberry golf resort with her infamous “unwelcome” sign for Donald Trump in 2016.

In 2023, Godley became the winner of the inaugural Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival.

But in September she cancelled a planned tour after her health quickly deteriorated after a bout of sepsis.

Her cancer had been kept at bay through NHS treatment over the last few years but had returned with a few added complications.

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I was ecstatic after saving my whole life for dream home… but just hours after I bought it I was told it’d be DEMOLISHED

a woman stands in front of a building with her arms crossed

A FIRST-time buyer has been left fighting back tears after being told her dream home was going to be demolished.

Hours after popping a champagne cork to celebrate her move, a letter landed on the new doormat of Dr Fabiola Creed.

Fabiola Creed lives on Lighthorne Avenue in Ladywood with her husband and is a first time buyer. She moved into her dream home - then found out the next day via a leaflet from Shabana Mahmood, that it was earmarked to be demolished as part of the council plans for the area...Fabiola pictured in her living room - that she still intends on decorating - with the estate agents marketing material for the property.
No hints were flagged by Dr Fabiola’s estate agent or the seller, nor did any information emerge from legal checks
Fabiola Creed lives on Lighthorne Avenue in Ladywood with her husband and is a first time buyer. She moved into her dream home - then found out the next day via a leaflet from Shabana Mahmood, that it was earmarked to be demolished as part of the council plans for the area...Pictured is the block where Fabiola’s home is.
Dr Fabiola received a letter that said her home is inside a regeneration zone facing the bulldozer
Fabiola Creed lives on Lighthorne Avenue in Ladywood with her husband and is a first time buyer. She moved into her dream home - then found out the next day via a leaflet from Shabana Mahmood, that it was earmarked to be demolished as part of the council plans for the area. Fabiola pictured outside the block.
Owning a home had meant the world to her as she didn’t have a safe one growing up

It alerted her that her home was inside a regeneration zone facing the bulldozer.

Dr Fabiola, an academic researcher, said the bolt from the blue was devastating and has blighted her life since.

“It shattered everything. I wake up with a sense of dread every morning, and it’s always in the back of my mind because I cannot plan ahead.

I thought buying a house would give me certainty and roots; this is a nightmare.”

She is now urging an investigation into why potential housebuyers are kept in the dark about proposals of this magnitude, claiming she was left blindsided.

Fabiola, who recently married, said she had saved for most of her life to be in a position to put down a deposit on a home of her own.

In a heartfelt conversation with BirminghamLive she spoke movingly of the impact on her health and wellbeing, coming as the news did the morning after she had moved in with such high hopes. “I started saving when I was just 14 years old, doing a part time job.

I started saving £50 a month, then as I got older and started earning it was £100, then £200, so really for 16 years I have been saving up for my first home.

Owning a home meant the world to me because I never had a safe home growing up.

“When I found this dream fixer-upper I was delighted.

I was sold by the seller’s stories that the house was a wonderful place to have and raise children.”

The three-bed house in Lighthorne Road, Ladywood, listed for £230,000 had a lot going for it.

“It’s located close to the city centre, and to work, has three bedrooms and a garden, and is in need of quite a bit of work that means we can gradually put our mark on the place – these were all big pluses for us,” said Fabiola.

But news that the local neighbourhood was in line for redevelopment had completely passed her by.

No hints were flagged by her estate agent or the seller, nor did any information emerge from legal checks.

“The first day we moved in, my mum helped us, and we were so excited.

On our wedding day we had been given two expensive bottles of champagne, one to toast the first home, and one for our first child, and it all felt perfect.

The next morning everything changed.”

a woman stands in front of a red door with her arms crossed
Dr Fabiola’s home was in a ‘red zone’
a woman sits in a chair in front of a brick wall
Her home was earmarked for possible demolition

Landing on the mat was a leaflet from local MP Shabana Mahmood asking for her views on the Ladywood regeneration plans.

Further investigations by a shocked Fabiola revealed the house was inside the development’s ‘red zone’, and earmarked for possible demolition.

“We were devastated. Do we renovate as planned? Do we wait to have children? These were the questions we were asking ourselves.”

The Ladywood project, first revealed last year, is being finalised between the council and Berkeley Homes St Joseph, which intends to flatten most of the area and put up a new series of towers, apartments and homes with new community facilities, parks and schools.

But the deal is not yet signed off, and there have yet to be any planning applications submitted, so it remains a speculative project, despite all parties involved saying it is only a matter of time before the agreement is signed.

In response to our inquiries, Wentworth and Rose estate agents, who sold the property, said: “We regret to learn of Ms. Fabiola’s concerns regarding her recent property purchase, particularly in light of the proposed regeneration plans for Ladywood.

At this stage, we understand that the regeneration initiative remains in the proposal phase and has not yet been formally approved.

“We undertake significant efforts to ensure that any material information provided by sellers, which could impact prospective buyers, is appropriately disclosed during the listing process.

In this instance, it is unfortunate that the buyer’s appointed representatives did not flag this proposal as part of their due diligence review.

We extend our best wishes to Ms. Fabiola as she works towards a satisfactory outcome with her representatives.”

Negotiations between the council and Berkeley Homes are ongoing.

Affected residents whose homes will be earmarked to go will be offered settlement terms and, ultimately, could be subject to a compulsory purchase order.

Compulsory Purchase Orders – what you need to know

Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) allow public bodies to force homeowners to sell up if their property obstructs a regeneration project or it’s for the “greater public good”, says Home Owners Alliance.

When a Compulsory Purchase Order is made, the authority cannot force you to sell.

They are merely applying to a government department for powers to be able to force you to sell.

Depending on what you and others do next, it may take months or years before they secure these powers, if they do at all.

Fabiola hopes the whole project will be reconsidered. She has publicly pleaded with them: “Please don’t gentrify this area! They should focus on improving what is already there.

Add luxury flats if necessary by building on neglected or abandoned areas of the neighbourhood; create more affordable homes too. But don’t pull down decent homes.”

Ladywood is one of the poorest wards in the city, though it is an area of huge contrasts.

Some of the ward has been neglected for decades, with crumbling concrete maisonettes, high rise tower blocks and poorly maintained green spaces in dire need of regeneration.

But other areas are relatively newly built, including cul de sacs of private family homes, located close to the city centre.

The Ladywood Unite campaign group, which is lobbying on behalf of affected residents, says Fabiola is not the only new buyer impacted, with other stories emerging of people moving in unaware of the proposals.

On the flip side, existing residents who want to sell fear the area is already blighted because of the scheme, despite it not yet being formalised.

Paul Langford, Birmingham City Council’s strategic director of city housing, said negotiations were ongoing with Berkeley Homes St Joseph to secure the best deal for the city, including ensuring the project included more affordable and social housing.

The agreement will be signed once those negotiations conclude.

Individual conversations with the hundreds of households affected can then properly begin, he said, adding the redevelopment would run in phases over the next 20 years.

“These are people’s homes and lives and we are absolutely committed to ensuring that if they are impacted they have a full range of options available to them to get the best alternative home for them.

We understand that everyone will have a different need, and want a different outcome, and we need to have those individual conversations.”

If the council forces you to repair or demolish your home

If you own your home, the council can only force you to repair or demolish your home if it’s dangerous or unsafe, says Shelter.

They can give you advice and support to do the work.

If you disagree with them, you can appeal against the order in court.

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