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A WOKE council has banned its staff from calling simple tasks “a piece of cake” — because it could confuse foreign employees.

Diversity executives reckon the phrase excludes people whose first language is not English.

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A barmy woke council has banned its staff from calling simple tasks ‘a piece of cake’[/caption]

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The classic British idiom has been declared off-limits in Surrey Council’s eight-page inclusive language guide[/caption]

The classic British idiom has been declared off-limits in Surrey Council’s eight-page inclusive language guide.

It states: “Avoid using phrases that people may not understand if English isn’t their first language.”

Another section says the term “dinner ladies” should be outlawed.

The guide says “it is preferable to use gender-neutral language” in case anyone should be offended and suggests “lunchtime supervisor” should be the term used for servers, cooks and cashiers.

“Firefighter” is also recommended instead of “fireman”.

Accounts filed earlier this year showed the council was at least £1.1billion in debt, equal to around £850 for each of the county’s 1.3 million residents.

Former minister Sir Alec Shelbrooke said: “Once again, this is a colossal waste of public time and money which should be spent on working out how to deliver services to residents.

“This does nothing to help further their services.

“I’m stunned by how bad this guide is.

“No wonder the council is in so much debt when their staff, apparently, can’t even understand basic English.”

Earlier this year we told how Sunderland Council planned to ban “working class” before U-turning when we intervened.

Surrey County Council was asked to comment.

JACK CATTERALL has secured a huge win over Regis Prograis after a breathtaking bout in Manchester.

The Brit was downed in the fifth, but a fantastic response saw the American hit the canvas twice in the ninth round – which was ultimately the difference on the night.

Catterall now moves a step closer to a world title shot after Saturday night’s stunning win.

• Result: Jack Catterall def. Regis Prograis by unanimous decision

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MMA fans were left utterly stunned after a double spinning back fist knockout at UFC 308.

Shara “Bullet” Magomedov and Armen Petrosya appeared to be heading into the last of their three rounds on the undercard of the Abu Dhabi event.

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The shots sent Petrosya down to the canvas as the referee waved the bout off[/caption]

But Russian Magomedov, 30, had other ideas with 10 seconds left on the clock.

As the second round came to a close, middleweight Magomedov feigned a kick to the chest and then connected with a spinning right elbow.

When the impact knocked Petrosya to his left, his opponent followed it up with a brilliant left elbow.

The two shots sent Petrosya tumbling to the canvas as the referee immediately waved it off.

And MMA viewers could not believe what they had witnessed – a never-before-seen knockout in the UFC.

One said: “How does he even come up with these shots bro . My respect for him .”

Another added: “Top 3 knockout ever.”

A third replied: “What did we just witness?”

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While a fourth responded: “That’s the cleanest knockout I’ve seen in a minute.”

And a fifth said: “Is that the first double spinning back fist ever?”

Magomedov’s sensational knockout came hours before Khamzat Chimaev appeared to break Robert Whittaker’s jaw with a stunning first-round submission.

Ilia Topuria then defended his featherweight title by knocking out Max Holloway.

JACK CATTERALL secured a stunning victory over Regis Prograis that should propel him straight into world title contention.

Catterall took a wide 117-108, 116-109, 116-109 unanimous decision in front of a raucous crowd in Manchester.

The Chorley brawler started relatively in a controlled and measured fashion ticking off rounds in a tight contest.

He then had to take a marginal standing count in round five before really turning on the pressure in the latter rounds.

Having turned up the pace, El Gato scored two knockdowns of his own with some brutal lefts that sent veteran Prograis spinning.

The win for Catterall, who secured great wins over Josh Taylor and Jorge Linares in his previous two fights, should see him fight for a world title next – with promoter Eddie Hearn certainly pushing for that with his post-fight interview.

Hearn said: “This guy is probably the most underrated fighter in the world.

“In 11 months he’s beat Jorge Linares, Josh Taylor, now Regis Prograis. All in 11 months.

“This man needs a world title shot next… We have Liam Paro vs Richardson Hitchins on Dec 7.

“The winner of that fight, we want to put that [offer] straight to them to fight Jack Catterall next.

“He should be number one with the WBO. I would love to bring Teofimo Lopez to Manchester and give him a good arse kicking.”

Prograis, a two-time world champion, appeared to call time on his career after the defeat.

He said: “I’ve had my time in the sun, now it’s time for the young ones.

“I’m gonna do something else and let the young guys take over.”

Prograis added: “Jack was just better, that’s all. Jack was the better man, I’m not gonna lie.

“He definitely deserves a world title fight next. Good luck Jack. You’re really good.

“I’ve fought the best and you were the best out of all of them.”

A MAJOR motorway has closed in both directions following a crash as drivers face long delays.

The M3 in Hampshire has been closed in both directions between J9 near Winchester and J8 near Basingstoke due to a collision.

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The M3 in Hampshire has been closed in both directions[/caption]

National Highways said the closure was because of a “multi-vehicle collision”.

Emergency services are reportedly at the scene attending to the crash.

Motorists are being diverted and National Highways are warning drivers about the expected delays on the M3.

It comes after the M5 had to be shut after a huge lorry caught fire.

Drivers were seen abandoning their cars in the middle of the road, with two of three lanes of the motorway closed between junction 22 at Edithmead and junction 23 at Dunball.

National Highways South West warned motorists to remain in their vehicles for safety as drivers watched thick black smoke billow into the sky.

The northbound carriageway has since reopened, but the motorway was still blocked southbound while Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue tried to put out the blaze.

In an update overnight National Highways revealed 2 out of 3 lanes remained closed on the M5 south between Junction 22 and 23.

Emergency resurfacing works were still yet to take place as a 5-mile tailback delayed drivers for an hour.

Earlier on Friday some abandoned their cars to play football on the carriageway in 9-hour queues.

Half-term in England starts this weekend until November 1, with millions of Brits going away for a break – including those hoping to get a head start on the traffic Friday morning.

FED-UP

Fed-up families were spotted getting up and walking around to stretch their legs with their pets.

Heart-stopping footage shows a man inside the lorry cab as the flames erupt while the HGV is parked up on the hard shoulder.

He then leaps out and jogs to safety as the fire grows bigger.

Kelly Jakeman, 29, an admin assistant, from Stourbridge, Birmingham, was stuck from 9.30am.

She said: “There were loads of different groups playing football, and it was actually quite nice to see.

“There were a few mini-games going across two miles of road.”

Writing on Facebook, another fed-up motorist said: “Avoid M5 south at a standstill motorway shut both sides, people out their cars. All engines off.”

Meanwhile, decking company SpecDeck posted: “Due to the M5 being shut both ways due to a fire, we have 4 teams stuck on the motorway, unable to reach their destinations for work today.

“Check your route of travel today before making a journey.”

Motorist David Trevelyan described four-mile queues in a Facebook post, alongside photos of the gridlock and a ‘picnic’ he was having.

He said: “Looks like a day out on the M5 4 mile tailback and at a standstill, so let’s get the kettle on. Time for a picnic on The M5.”

THE staggering estimated net worth of a British star who led a hit US drama has been revealed.

The show in question ended back in 2012 – with its star believed to have raked in eight figures.

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Hugh Laurie’s staggering estimated net worth has been revealed[/caption]

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The comedian starred in hit US medical drama House[/caption]

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Hugh achieved success alongside Stephen Fry as Fry & Laurie[/caption]

For eight seasons, Hugh Laurie headed up the cast of US medical drama House.

Airing on FOX, its premise saw the comedian play a cynical medical genius at a fictitious New Jersey hospital.

According to Just Jared, the 65-year-old has a sizeable net worth of £34 million.

Hugh had a distinguished career long before he began playing Dr. Gregory House.

He achieved notability for his comedy partnership with Stephen Fry – Fry and Laurie.

While attending Cambridge, he joined the celebrated Footlights group and met Dame Emma Thompson, who introduced him to Stephen.

The double act appeared together in shows such as Blackadder, Jeeves and Woster and A Bit of Fry & Laurie.

Prior to his House role, Hugh made a memorable guest appearance on hit sitcom Friends.

Credited simply as “Gentleman on the Plane”, his character was thoroughly unimpressed with Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) – and didn’t hold back in letting her know.

His film roles include Sense and Sensibility, 101 Dalmatians, Stuart Little, Flight of the Phoenix and Tomorrowland.

In recent TV work, Hugh played the character Senator Tom James in 20 episodes of satirical comedy Veep.

Created by Armando Iannucci, it is a US-based spin-off of his BBC sitcom The Thick Of It.

He’s also had starring roles in The Night Manager and Avenue 5.

He also wrote, directed and had a supporting role in ITV’s Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?

This adapted Agatha Christie’s 1934 detective novel of the same name.

It starred Will Poulter, Lucy Boynton, Jim Broadbent, Paul Whitehouse and Dame Emma Thompson.

On his directing role, Hugh previously said: “The hairs on the back of my neck haven’t properly settled down from the first time I grasped the beauty of the essential mystery.

“I will wear a tie on set, and give it everything I have.”

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House ended its run in 2012, after eight seasons on FOX[/caption]

THE clocks have gone back an hour and it can cause chaos for some people.

It can lead to disrupted sleep patterns and this deficit, in extreme cases, can impair cognitive function, decrease productivity and impact mood and mental health.

Adults should aim for between seven and nine hours a day.

Too much can be as bad as too little.

Today, I look at ways to help you get the best shut eye . . . 

BARS

TEN PM is a company that specialises in products to help you get a good night’s kip.

Its new Oat & Cherry Calm bars are brilliant and since trialling I’ve bought more.

They really did help me get to sleep and stay there.

These crumbly, oaty bars are a perfect evening snack that cleverly have herbs ashwagandha and chamomile and mineral magnesium.

All clinically proven to lower stress and calm the nervous system to help with stress and sleep.

With vitamin B6 and C with oats and no added sugar, they do the job.

• £2 a bar, tenpm.co

SMART RING

NO two sleeps are equal, and finding out how much REM (when you usually dream) and deep sleep (when your brain and body slow down, repair and regrow) you get is really great when looking at your health.

Step forward the Circular Ring Slim, the “world’s slimmest smart monitor”.

As well as analysing your sleep, this looks at the steps you have taken, your exercise, energy levels, heart rate, and calories burned.

Through the app, you can also do mindful breathing exercises and even analyse your oxygen levels and set an alarm to gently wake you.

You have to use an odd USB-C contraption to charge it every day for about 30 minutes, but I like this.

Better for a man though as while it’s slim, it is quite bulky.

• From £170, circular.xyz/shop

SLEEP SPRAY

HARROGATE Organics Company’s Sleep Calming Pillow Spray is a joy to use, and it’s clever.

There are plenty of sprays on the market that can help you find slumber, but often they are full of chemicals with a pungent smell.

This is soft, fresh, comforting and delightful.

It contains hibiscus, which can stimulate the hormone serotonin in your body to help produce melatonin that can help regulate many bodily functions, including mood and kip.

There is also aloe vera, citrus and lavender oils, which both smell amazing and help with sleep, plus silk protein, which can nourish your hair and skin when on your pillow.

It makes your bedroom smell like a spa too and helped me relax and drift off.

A great multi-tasker.

• £24 for 100ml. harrogateorganics.co.uk

KALEB Cooper has opened up on why he felt ‘terrible’ after his wife gave birth to their daughter Willa.

The Clarkson’s Farm star is a proud dad to 16-month old Willa and Oscar, who is three.

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Dan Jones - Commissioned by The Sun

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Kaleb, 26, said he felt ‘useless’ during fianceé Taya‘s labour as he didn’t know what he should be doing at the time.

He explained: “It was f***ing terrible, because when I’m helping that cow, I know exactly what I’m doing. I can bring the calf around to the mum and so on. 

“Now, when Taya was giving birth, I felt useless. I’m seeing her in pain having one of my kids.”

Kaleb and Taya have been together for eight years.

The farmer continued to tell The Times Magazine how he and Taya decided to have kids earlier in life – a once popular trend with previous generations.

He said: “I wanted a girl and boy, which I’ve got and am very grateful.

“Then when I get older I can go down the pub with them, or out on the tractors, and I can still be energetic.”

Kaleb concluded: “I’ll make all the money now, hopefully have a farm, then chill out, go partying and be in Ibiza, though I can’t think of anything worse than being in a nightclub.”

Meanwhile, earlier this month it was revealed that Kaleb had landed his own solo show as his popularity continues to soar.

A special performance from his national theatre tour The World According to Kaleb will land on Prime Video.

It will be available on Prime Video globally from November 29.

The show will give viewers a front-row seat as Kaleb hosts an evening at Cheltenham Everyman Theatre.

CAMPBELL HATTON is now facing major questions over his future after a second devastating defeat to Jimmy Joe Flint.

Hatton jumped straight in for a rematch with Flint after a unanimous defeat in March but was again outclassed as the Yorkshireman scored a 97-94, 96-94, 96-95 victory.

Hatton had previously been undefeated in 14 fights before his two losses to Flint but the manner of the losses has already prompted many to question where he goes from here.

Hatton employed Anthony Joshua’s trainer Ben Davison in this fight to try and reverse his fortunes.

The son of former world champ Ricky started off in a more controlled manner, trying to learn from the mistakes of the first fight.

But he suffered a nasty gash over his left eye in the second round that continued to bother him throughout the fight.

And as Flint – who now boasts a record of 15-2-2 – took control of the centre of the ring, showing off his superior skill and picking his shots, Hatton fell back into the wild, pressing style that had served his dad so well.

It did not work so well for Hatton Jr as his wide and wild shots were easy pickings for the better fighter.

It came as little surprise when Flint’s name rang out as the winner, with Hatton – who employed Anthony Joshua’s trainer Ben Davison for this fight – again at a crossroads.

These blood-curdling burgs are a real scream.