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COPS have thrown up a huge “ring of steel” around the Cenotaph as thousands of Tommy Robinson supporters and rival protesters descend on central London.

Hordes of the political activist’s followers gathered at Victoria Station and marched on Whitehall today.

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Supporters of the Pro-UK rally endorsed by Tommy Robinson gather at Victoria Station[/caption]

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Some protesters wore ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ T-shirts and waved St George flags[/caption]

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The rally is marching onto Whitehall[/caption]

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People with placards for a march organised by Stand Up To Racism[/caption]

Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – is missing the planned protest after he was remanded into police custody yesterday.

Chants of “Oh Tommy, Tommy” and “We want Starmer out” were heard ahead of the Unite The Kingdom rally.

The demonstration was met with rival protesters from Stand Up to Racism, which has called on its supporters to “take to the streets” in a “massive anti-fascist demonstration”.

Robinson, 41, is accused of being in contempt of court after the airing of a film at a protest in Trafalgar Square in July.

He attended Folkestone police station on Friday where he was remanded ahead of a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday concerning allegations that he breached a 2021 High Court order barring him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him.

It is understood the airing of a film, titled Silenced, at the Trafalgar Square demonstration is one of six actions alleged to have breached the injunction between June and July.

The film is also pinned to the top of his X account.

Robinson was separately charged on Friday with failing to provide his mobile phone access code to police under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, Kent Police said.

The Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police are due to be supported by officers from other forces across the country for the protests on Saturday, and the Met said there will be a “significant police presence” to ensure the two groups are kept apart.

The protest, organised by Robinson, marched from Victoria station to the southern end of Whitehall, while the counter-protest began at Regent Street St James’s and finished at the northern end of Whitehall.

The Met said static rallies are expected at the end of both marches.

It is understood Robinson will be held in custody in Folkestone until his court hearing on Monday.

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Chants of ‘Oh Tommy, Tommy’ can be heard[/caption]

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The two protest groups have been given different routes, with police barriers keeping them separate[/caption]

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A wall of police officers on Victoria Street[/caption]

He was released on unconditional bail in July and subsequently left the country – with Adam Payter, representing the Solicitor General, telling the High Court there “was nothing to prevent him from doing so”.

Mr Justice Johnson issued a warrant for Robinson’s arrest but ordered that it not be carried out “until early October” to allow Robinson time to indicate that he would attend the next hearing voluntarily or to apply to “set aside” the warrant.

Robinson posted a video of himself arriving at Luton Airport on October 20 and said he was surprised he had not been arrested.
He applied to set aside the warrant but his application was dismissed by Mr Justice Johnson on Friday.

The separate charge under the Terrorism Act relates to his arrest in July at a port in Kent, where he was accused of “frustration” of police counter-terrorism powers.

He allegedly failed to provide his mobile phone access code to officers at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone.

Under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, police are allowed to stop anyone passing through a UK port “to determine whether they may be involved or concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.

The person who is detained can be held for up to six hours, is legally obliged to answer questions and must provide the password or access number for electronic devices, or be held to have committed a criminal offence if they refuse.

Robinson said he objected to a request from police for the number to his phone because there was privileged information on the device relating to an ongoing High Court case.

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Tommy Robinson outside Folkestone Police Station[/caption]

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The political activist was greeted by supporters[/caption]

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He had claimed he was asked by police to hand himself in[/caption]

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Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, points to the small crowd as he steps through the station doors[/caption]

BRAZILIAN boxing legend Adilson “Maguila” Rodrigues has died aged 66.

The former heavyweight contender passed away in Sao Paulo after suffering from multiple health complications.

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Adilson Rodrigues, left, during his fight with George Foreman[/caption]

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Rodrigues passed away aged 66[/caption]

In 85 fights, Rodrigues won 77, lost seven, drew once and scored 61 career knockouts.

He held various Brazilian and South American titles, facing some of boxing’s best during his time.

In 1989, he was beaten by American great Evander Holyfield and George Foreman a year later, losing both in round two.

But Rodrigues also beat former cruiserweight world champion and now Sky Sports pundit Johnny Nelson in 1995.

His last fight came in 2000, losing to countryman Daniel Frank.

After retiring – 13 years later – Rodrigues was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

CTE is a neurodegenerative disease that affects many former fighters after years of head trauma.

Symptoms include memory loss and confusion, which intensifies over time.

In 2018, with his family’s consent, Rodrigues decided to donate his brain to scientific research after his death.

It will allow researchers at the University of Sao Paulo to study the impact of repeated trauma on the brain.

Rodrigues spent his last days at the Anjos de Deus Therapeutic Center in Itu receiving specialised care.

LOVE Island stars led the glam last night at a launch party for a British fashion brand that Kyle Walker was due to attend.

The stars braved the chilly Manchester evening to show their support for the latest store opening in the city centre.

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Grace Jackson was at the opening of fashion store Represent[/caption]

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Mary Bedford was also at the big event[/caption]

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Fellow Islander Leah Taylor showed off her pins[/caption]

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The celebs were supporting brothers Michael and George Heaton who own Represent[/caption]

A whole host of celebrities and sports stars were at the big launch to cheer on brothers Michael and George Heaton who are behind the fashion brand, Represent.

On hand to add a touch of glam to the evening were Love Island stars like Grace Jackson, Mary Bedford and Leah Taylor.

A whole host of sports stars also headed to the store to celebrate its opening, including Conor Benn.

Footballer Kyle Walker was due to attend the big event, but was a no show.

Represent – which is  due to turn over £100m by end of year – was founded in 2012 whilst George was studying at university.

The brand now has 150 stockists worldwide including Selfridges and Harvey Nichols in the UK.

Over recent years, the brand exploded, and now has its own flagship store.

The brothers began the brand on the basis of making their own clothes that they would wear with luxurious fabrics but at an affordable price point.

George printed t-shirts to show off their designs as part of a college project.

The brothers then became promoting their clothing on Instagram and began to build up a following with celebrities including Justin Bieber who were beginning to wear their brand.

It was during the Covid-19 lockdown that the brand exploded with online orders.

George stated: “We were such a small brand then, but we decided to start launching consistent products.

“Everyone was at home looking at their phones and so we were doing that every week, and we got this huge snowball of customers when a lot of brands just couldn’t do that consistently.

“It made a new way of thinking for us and how we could run the business. Last year we turned over a record figure for us, and we aim to keep growing from here.”

Previously speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he added: “I was 18 when we started this, it has been going a long time but we’ve kept our customers from day one.

“We’ve always had that mindset to always be better, we nail it, and then we will always have bigger ambitions – the bigger you get the more you want.

“I think it’s because we are so authentic as brothers and designers , everything we do is for the brand.

“The people who love the brand are like us too, and they’re so into what we do.

Represent have also had a collaboration with Motley Crue and plan to launch home and beauty products in the future.

George previously stated he was particularly proud of the brand’s hit Terrier sneaker which has sold out multiple times.

He said: “As a creative, demand for your design is really humbling.

“Without doubt, it is the best feeling you can get.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learnt has to be the importance of patience, and the importance of trial and error.

“Everything is a process, and every process tells a story.

“Each garment requires many hours to design, create and adjust before coming to life as a final piece.”

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Love Island star Ron Hall was also at the event[/caption]

PREMIER LEAGUE action returns for another blockbuster Saturday – and defending champions Manchester City are expected to score a hatful of goals.

Pep’s side can leapfrog league leaders Liverpool with a win over 19th-placed Southampton, while high-flying Aston Villa take on Arsenal‘s conquerors, Bournemouth.

And the evening kick-off sees Sean Dyche‘s Everton host London outfit Fulham at Goodison.

• Kick-off times: 3pm/5:30pm BST
• TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports Premier League
• Live stream: NOW TV

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IT’S strange to think that Graham Norton suffers the same work insecurities as everyone else.

Surely Britain’s most prominent showbiz presenter – who hobnobs with the great and good on BBC1’s The Graham Norton Show and fronts Eurovision and Children in Need, among other shows – is inundated with high-profile TV offers? After all, he’s a national treasure!

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Graham Norton has opened up about his retirement plans[/caption]

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The star also discussed his dream guest for his hit chat show[/caption]

In fact, Graham admits that even he is reluctant to turn down work, so much so that his long-held dream of travelling the world – which he promised himself that he’d do once his beloved dogs Bailey and Madge died (which they have) – hasn’t yet materialised.

“It’s hard, isn’t it?” begins Graham, 61, with a half-laugh. “Because, you know, while the work is there, I think that freelance thing never goes away. You never become so rich or so successful that you’re not slightly thinking, ‘Oh, there may be no more jobs.’ So you stay.

“And then, of course, by the time there aren’t any more jobs and you’ve got the time to go traveling, you’re thinking: ‘We can’t spend money on travelling, we’ll need this money for oat milk!’

“So in the back of my mind, I would like to do some travelling, while I’m still physically able to climb the side of a gentle mountain. But I have no actual concrete plans, so it’s just an unfulfilled desire.”

Graham isn’t too grand to admit that even at his exalted level, he still finds it validating to be sought after by TV bosses.

“This industry does worship at the altar of youth, so to still be wanted at an age when you imagined you’d be clinging to the wreckage of your career, it’s flattering,” he quips.

“I guess I’m still in the post-Covid thing of realising how great it is to have work and how great it is to be out of the house and doing things. I’m enjoying that.”

Graham is chatting to TV Mag over Zoom, because he’s at his coastal holiday home in West Cork, Ireland, not a million miles from where he grew up in Bandon.

Dressed down in a white T-shirt instead of a natty suit, he’s still on great form: funny, witty and insightful, a slightly toned down but recognisable version of his TV persona.

Graham spends long summers and Christmas in Ireland, these days accompanied by his husband of two years, Jono McLeod, a filmmaker.

Graham declines to talk about Jono and married life, but he does use “we” a lot when discussing what the pair get up to – over the summer they visited Graham’s home in New York City and the Edinburgh Festival.

And that oat milk comment? Jono is a vegan and Graham’s taught himself to cook vegan food for them both, although he’ll still eat meat and fish when out.

Being on holiday in Ireland also gives Graham a chance to fulfil familial duties by hosting his mother, Rhoda, who still lives in Bandon.

“Because my sister [Paula] does a lot of the to-ing and fro-ing during the year, during the summer, it’s my turn to do my bit,” explains Graham.

“My mum comes and stays here and I think she likes it. It’s like her holidays. It gets her out of the house into a different house. She’s 92. This weekend she was at her friend’s 100th birthday party with her other friend who’s 102. So I don’t know what they’re doing in West Cork, but maybe there’s something in the water.”

Now that Graham’s chat show is back in full flow, he’s returned to London.

The acclaimed, often roar-with-laughter-funny series has outlasted all the competition and remains the best place to see A-listers, who flock to his sofa to have a drink and a giggle, with Graham lobbing them funny questions and making cheeky ripostes. It remains TV’s best showbiz party.

And last series Graham earned a feather in his cap after landing the dream guest who’d featured highest on his wish list every year – Julia Roberts finally said ‘yes’.

“Getting her was a real moment for everyone on the show: for the booker, for the team,” he says. “Here was this big ‘get’. It was like the legendary catfish – we know it’s in the lake somewhere and we landed it. So that was exciting.

It can take years to reassure them that: ‘If you don’t want to talk about that subject, fine. I don’t care. This is not Celebrity Newsnight!’

Graham Norton

“But then what was great was that she absolutely didn’t disappoint. I realised: ‘Oh, you’re not Julia Roberts by accident. You’re Julia Roberts because you have something very special about you.’ And the audience loved her.”

So who’s next on Graham’s wish list?

“I say it to you and then it happens, so let’s say Brad Pitt,” he smiles drily. “He is top of our wish list now of people we haven’t had. The problem is that Brad doesn’t do any talk shows, never has.

“And there is an added thing in Britain. Because our media can be a bit wild for our American friends, they somehow think that I’m going to be part of that.

“It can take years to reassure them that: ‘If you don’t want to talk about that subject, fine. I don’t care. This is not Celebrity Newsnight!’ I just want us all to have a nice time and get to the end of the show.”

We discuss last series’ eyebrow-raising moments, such as Alan Cumming talking about scrotal ageing and Cate Blanchett and Kate Winslet in a lively discussion about the Shewee (a device that enables women to urinate standing up).

It’s ironic that Graham, the pioneer of outrageous and vulgar antics on his C4 chat show So Graham Norton, which ran from 1998 to 2002, now finds such discussions off-putting.

“I’m getting older now and sometimes I think: ‘Oh, dear. Really? Do we have to do this?!’” he chuckles. “Sometimes I think: ‘Why are we wasting our time? This is going to get cut out.’

“But actually, good old BBC, normally they don’t. So if Cate Blanchett and Kate Winslet want to talk about p***ing into some plastic cup, they’re allowed. These are Oscar winners!’”

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Graham finally got Julia Roberts to appear on his show on the last series[/caption]

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Graham’s new dream guest is Brad Pitt, who never appears on talk shows[/caption]

TV Mag is available for free every Saturday, only in The Sun.

A KNIFE-EDGE vote has paved the way for Vladimir Putin’s next land grab, experts have warned.

The Russian tyrant is now eyeing-up seizing Moldova, analysts say, after it voted this week to move towards joining the EU.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to try and take over Moldova following the vote, experts say[/caption]

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Russian soldiers in the breakaway enclave of Transnistria could be a ‘springboard’ for an invasion[/caption]

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Russia has about 1,500 soldiers in the region after it split in 1992[/caption]

Vlad must act now to stop it from forever leaving Russia’s orbit and is set to drawing his moves from his Ukraine playbook.

Moldova’s razor-thin – 50.39 per cent to 49.61 per cent – vote to constitutionally enshrine joining the EU this week comes after two shock accusations of Russian interference.

President Maia Sandu accused Moscow on Monday of trying to buy the vote of 300,000 people (about 20 per cent of the total vote) with “millions of Euros” on offer.

And last week, the country’s spymaster accused Wagner of training pro-Russian Moldovans to protest against the government at “guerrilla camps” in Serbia.

Experts told The Sun these grey zone tactics show Putin is using the same playbook that preceded his Ukraine invasion as he seeks to make it part of his new Russian Empire.

Orysia Lutsevych, Deputy Director of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House said the “game was on” as Putin looks for a “quick win”.

Lutsevych said Putin’s plan wasn’t a theoretical scheme – but is in its early stages.

She said the 72-year-old is looking to destabilise Moldova and challenge the result of the election if the pro-Russian candidate doesn’t win.

She said: “[Putin] is consistent in his vision, that it [Moldova] belongs to him, and, as we see with Ukraine, he’s willing to take high losses, pay a high, high price.”

Lutsevych said that Putin could try and formulate a reverse colour revolution by destabilising and then overthrowing the pro-Western government in favour of a Russian one.

She said: “It’s similar to how Ukraine was before the 2013 uprising, where Russians were trying to get their way politically and by corruption by buying in voters.”

Inside Moldova exists two breakaway regions, Transnistria and Gagauzia, which align with Russia.

Lutsevych said they could be used by Putin similar to how he used the annexing of Crimea as a “springboard” into a greater invasion of Ukraine.

She said: “He’s interested in Moldova as a whole and these territories would only be as a ways to get his goals to the to control.

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President Maria Sandu won the first round of the Presidential election with 42 per cent of the vote[/caption]

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Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria, sits on one side of the Dnister River[/caption]

“I think he may use these territories as clubs to incapacitate Moldova first and then eventually get it in full-fledged control.”

Another way Putin could strike is if he was able to build a land bridge to Moldova through Ukraine as part of the invasion.

Lutsevych said: “If Putin is making land gains along the Black Sea [in Ukraine] Moldova may collapse.”

If Moldova were to become a proxy-Russian state that would also add another hostile country next to Ukraine.

President Sandu won the first round of the election on October 20 with 42 per cent of the vote.

But there are fears now the opposition could gang up on her and back the pro-Russian candidate competing against her in the second round.

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Putin speaking with Gagauzia’s leader Evghenia Guțul[/caption]

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Statue of Vladimir Lenin in front of Presidential Palace in Tiraspol[/caption]

Christina Harward, Russia Researcher at the Institute for the Study of War, wrote in a report last week that Moldova is a “battleground” state.

She told The Sun Putin is already spreading disinformation and could look to foment violence in the country as a way to prevent it shifting to the West’s camp.

Harward said: “Destabilization and chaos… serve the Kremlin’s interests as Russia tries to drive a wedge in Moldovan society and keep Moldova from gaining EU membership.

But Transnistria’s economy, largely under the control of former KGB officer Viktor Gushan, would greatly benefit from access to the EU market.

Harward said: “Having another post-Soviet state move closer to the West – and become more prosperous and democratic in the process – would be yet another reputational blow to Russia.

“Gushan’s interests are tied to his businesses so he is very sensitive to policy changes that affect Transnistria’s economy and his businesses’ ability to continue their operations – including on the black market.

“When Ukraine closed its border with Moldova, Gushan’s businesses were hurt so Gushan reoriented to the West to EU markets. So one of Gushan’s main priorities is likely maintaining his access to EU markets.”

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Spy boss Alexandru Musteata revealed Wagner had been training pro-Russian protesters[/caption]

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Putin’s ambitions aren’t just limited to Transnistria[/caption]

LOVE Island star Paige Thorne continued to wow fans as she stripped off to a bikini in Dubai.

The stunner, who has been on holiday with Liv Hawkins, shared a series of snaps as she posed on a yacht.

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Paige Thorne looked amazing on the yacht[/caption]

Looking incredible, the Welsh favourite wore a bronze bikini top and pink skirt, showing off her tan perfectly.

Her fans rushed to comment on it, with one person writing: “You are literally so pretty.”

A second said: “Better than the skyline.”

While a third added: “Absolutely stunning!”

Paige and fellow Love Island star Liv have treated fans to lots of pictures from their trip.

The 26-year-old, who found fame on the show in 2022, has enjoyed a number of holidays this year – including one to Zanzibar and another to Florida.

Paige is currently believed to be single following her split from football TikTokker and rapper Formz, real name Josh Foreman earlier this year.

The split may not come as a surprise after it was revealed that Paige was set to appear on the All Stars spin-off, which will kick off in the new year.

A source said previously: “Paige was a brilliant Islander, feisty and fiery in all the right measure and has remained popular on the outside despite a tricky run with a few bad boys.

“She’s a Love Island legend with tons of fans so really deserves a place in the All Stars villa – it’s a great chance for her to show the public how far she has come.”

Paige dated Adam Collard for a few weeks after leaving the villa in summer 2022 before they split amid cheat accusations. 

Since then she’s not proven too lucky in love despite links to rugby player Jacques O’Neill and also 2023 Islander Scott Van-Der-Sluis.

AN ultra-rare McLaren supercar with just 1,000 miles on the clock is set to go up for sale at a massive price.

The remarkable motor was originally believed to be a one-off snapped up by a billionaire.

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This ultra-rare McLaren supercar is set to go up for sale[/caption]

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The converted P1 GT was believed to be a one-off[/caption]

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It is now known to be just one of four[/caption]

Back in 2018, McLaren handed over its P1 hybrid hypercar to British restoration and performance brand Lanzante to be converted into Grand Tourer (GT) specs.

The newly-minted Lanzante McLaren P1 GT first appeared as a show car at Goodwood, generating a fair bit of buzz for its sleek design and off-the-chart figures.

At the time, it was believed that only one was ever made and subsequently bought by a mysterious, uber-wealthy collector in the Middle East.

But it has since emerged that three more P1 GTs actually rolled out of Lanzante’s Petersfield workshop.

One of the cars – the one shown off at Goodwood in fact – is now ready to go up for sale.

According to the listing, almost every carbon fibre panel was custom-made for the model, with only the bonnet and doors carried over from the original.

This example features striking “XP Green” paintwork and a “humongous” rear wing to provide huge downforce.

Coupled with a deep scoop on the bonnet, the aerodynamics of the model are more comparable to an F1 car.

The “incredibly complex” design allows the P1 GT to retain its classic McLaren styling while generating immense power and agility.

Inside, there are refreshed part-tan leather seats complimented by a luxurious, leather-trimmed dash.

The listing adds: “The front was completely overhauled with a larger splitter, bespoke carbon fibre canards and louvres over the wheel arches, while wider skirts run down either side of the cockpit.

“It closely resembles the spec of McLaren’s own F1 GT.

“And while the car first appeared with the P1 GTR’s multi-spoke rims, it’s now wearing a set of five spokes that better resemble those of the F1 GT.”

However, the price is likely to be just as large as the new rear wing.

The exact figure can only be discovered by calling the seller directly.

But for reference, Lanzante’s previous GTR conversion cost £2 million and this car was rumoured to add at least an extra £500,000 in 2018.

Since then it has, no doubt, appreciated significantly and, given how rare it is, it could be nearer the £3 million mark.

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Almost every panel is custom-made[/caption]

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It is estimated to be worth almost £3 million[/caption]

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The aerodynamics are more similar to those of an F1 car[/caption]

WE’VE reached the semi-finals of the Northern Ireland Open – and the action is unfolding RIGHT NOW!

World No 1 Trump thrashed Shaun Murphy 5-1 to set up a clash with Elliot Slessor, who overcame Louis Heathcote by the same scoreline.

But first up Kyren Wilson plays Junxu Pang for a chance to be in the showpiece match tomorrow.

• Start time: From 12pm BST
• TV / Stream: Eurosport / Discovery+
• Full schedule and results

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LUKE HUMPHRIES admits he will be “devastated” to win the European Championship.

The world champion revealed that victory in Dortmund will make him frustrated that he missed two darts to take the UK Open in March.

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Luke Humphries is hitting form again after thrashing Nathan Aspinall 6-1[/caption]

That would have meant glory in the Euros would have given him a clean sweep of ranking titles in 13 months.

He said: “If I do (win the Euros), I’ll be devastated as I missed two darts at the UK Open and that would be all of the ranking majors done in my career.

“I of course will be really up for winning this one. I’m going to take it one step at a time.

“I’m not defending anything. Everything I’ve won, I’ve won them titles. I’m only trying to retain.

“It’s going to be incredibly hard to win like I did last year. I didn’t retain the Grand Prix. But if I win this one, who’s to say I can’t go on a good run at the Slam, Players and Worlds.

“But you have to understand that you’re not going to win everything. I’m just going to try my best.”

Humphries smashed Nathan Aspinall 6-1 in his opening Euros clash.

He added: “I felt it was a really good game. I felt my scoring was really good. I hit a lot of 180s, I think Nathan hit a lot of 180s.

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“He was really consistent, I think doubles in a couple of legs let him down. But the 122, the 152 they were just massive shots that turned the game around for me and it’s something I can do. He felt like he did last week when he played Luke (Littler), he didn’t really do much wrong.

“I don’t think I was unplayable there. I think if Nathan would’ve hit his doubles when he had his chance it could’ve been 4-4 even though he was playing really good.

“It would’ve been who took the game out. We’re not unplayable but of course when we play that well it makes it hard for your opponent. When you play the best, they don’t stand a chance.

“I enjoy the long format, that suits me more than anyone in the world.”