News

A RECORD number of people were killed on Britain’s roads last year as a result of “road rage” motorists.

Government figures show 143 people died in accidents that police said were triggered by aggressive driving.

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Urgent warning as ‘road rage’ deaths on Britain’s roads have hit a record number[/caption]

In total last year, there were 2,722 collisions where police said aggressive driving behaviour was a contributory factor.

They led to a total of 4,084 ­casualties.

The 143 killed included 17 pedestrians, six cyclists, 34 motorcyclists and 79 people who were in cars. The remaining seven were in lorries or other vehicles.

The AA’s Jack Cousens said: “Remaining calm and in control is incredibly important to reduce these avoidable fatalities.”

Meanwhile, the AA is calling for the introduction of graduated ­driving licensing to help save lives.

It would prevent motorists under 21 from carrying passengers of a similar age for six months after passing their test.

The motoring organisation also wants under 21s to be given six penalty points for not wearing a seatbelt in the same period.

To aid enforcement, a “G” would be added to number plates to show they are a “graduate” driver.

Graduated driving licensing is already used in several countries, including the US, Canada, Australia and Sweden.

MTV bosses are set to pay tribute to One Direction singer Liam Payne at next month’s Europe Music Awards in Manchester.

The ceremony will take place at the northern city’s newly built Co-Op live Arena on Sunday November 10.

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It’s understood that Liam Payne’s close friend Rita Ora will be involved in MTV’s plans to pay tribute to the late star[/caption]

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Bosses are set to pay tribute to Liam at next month’s Europe Music Awards in Manchester[/caption]

Liam was in the city just weeks ago filming new Netflix talent show Building The Band alongside Kelly Rowland, 43, and Nicole Scherzinger, 46.

The show, which was to be hosted by former Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean, now hangs in the balance as US based bosses decide what to do.

It’s understood that Liam’s close friend and former collaborator Rita Ora, 33, will be involved in MTV‘s plans which could range from a live musical tribute or a simple video in memoriam montage.

The Sun can reveal producers are keen to honour the late star who dominated the music industry as part of the boy band from 2011 to 2016.

He later used the celeb-packed music ceremony to help launch his solo career.

Liam performed his debut single Strip That Down at the show in 2017.

The single, which was penned by Ed Sheeran, was Liam’s first of 6 UK Top 40s as a solo singer.

One Direction received twelve MTV EMA gongs out of their sixteen nominations.

They won three out of four in 2012, four out of six in 2013 and five out of six in 2014.

A source said: “Bosses have all agreed that they want to host a tribute to Liam during next month’s MTV EMAs.

“In the coming days they will start drawing up official plans.

“Officially Rita is yet to be announced, but she is hosting this year’s awards and will be involved in whatever MTV decides to do.

“She and Liam have been close for years and grew in the industry together. Obviously she is devastated by his passing.”

Rita and Liam teamed up on the 2018 single For You which featured in the film Fifty Shades Freed, part of the final movie in the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.

The track was nominated for Best Music Video at the 2019 Brit Awards.

Last week Let You Love Me singer Rita broke down on stage in Osaka as she performed the track during her Japanese tour.

She and Liam have been close for years and grew in the industry together

A source

During the song Rita displayed a black and white image of her and Liam in the studio together.

After looking at the sky and holding her head in her hands, Rita told fans: “I can’t even sing this right now”.

A source said: “Rita is heartbroken but was keen not to let fans down and continued with her shows.

“She is being supported by her husband Taika Waititi who is out in Japan with her.”

Liam previously said of his bond with Rita: “Rita is someone I call a true friend and it was an absolute pleasure working with her.”

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Rita broke down on stage in Osaka last week as she performed 2018 single For You featuring Liam during her Japanese tour[/caption]

The last time the EMAs were in the UK was 2017, they were hosted at Wembley Arena with both Liam and Rita in attendance.

Liam performed his debut single Strip That Down while Rita helped host the evening as well as performing a mash up of her hit tracks Your Song and Anywhere.

Liam tragically died in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday after falling from his third floor hotel balcony.

He was just 31-years-old.

Since then tributes have flooded in around the world from fans and celebs alike – with many praising Liam’s kindness and desire to help others.

Yesterday [sun] Liam’s devastated fans held outdoor memorial services for the singer up and down the country.

Events took place in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.

Despite the rain hundreds of supporters gathered at the Peter Pan statue in London’s Hyde Park- singing his songs and bringing floral tributes to the singer.

‘SO KIND’

One left open letters to the singer – praising him for soundtracking them through their younger years.

In one letter, fan Helen, 30, wrote: “I was one of the very lucky people in my teenage years to see you on numerous occasions.

“You were so kind, polite and friendly, every single time. You appreciated your fans so much. Back then I was over the moon to meet you as a fan but also as a person – Liam you were just so lovely.”

She added: “You died young but if love could’ve saved you, my goodness you really would have lived forever.”

Fans are also also buying and streaming One Direction songs to help Liam dominate the charts come Friday when they are announced.

On Sunday night the Official UK Charts confirmed that three One Direction songs are on track to reenter the charts.

Their 2014 single Night Changes is currently sits at No16 while Story of My Life and What Makes You Beautiful are at 21 and 47 retrospectively.

Three solo tracks Liam are also rising up the charts.

His final single Teardrops, released in March this year, is currently at No65 followed by For You with Rita Ora at 67 and Liam’s debut track Strip That Down with Quavo at 75.

Liam’s father Geoff Payne is currently in Buenos Aires organising plans to repatriate after identifying the star’s body.

Goeff, who lives with Liam’s mum Karen in Wolverhampton, visited Casa Sur Hotel, the hotel where Liam had been staying on Friday.

He thanked fans who had gathered outside the hotel for their kind words and viewed tributes that had been left to the star.

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A black and white image of Rita and Liam in the studio[/caption]

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The One Direction star tragically died in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday[/caption]

RACHEL Reeves is under pressure to soften a Budget tax raid on bosses amid warnings it would strangle growth.

Insiders believe the Chancellor could now back away from raising employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs).

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Rachel Reeves is under pressure to soften a Budget tax raid on bosses amid warnings it would strangle growth[/caption]

It comes amid furious claims such a rise would breach Labour’s manifesto.

Ms Reeves was instead said to be considering a lesser move to levy NICs on firms’ pension contributions.

She was also believed to be eyeing a £1billion inheritance tax grab on shares in small and medium-sized firms currently exempt from the levy.

Ministers are considering raising fuel duty despite warnings it would contradict their vow to protect working people.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the mooted employer NIC rise would not break Labour’s election pledges.

He did not deny that an extended freeze to income tax thresholds would drag an extra million workers into paying higher rates.

It came as a report warned taxing businesses would further damage UK competitiveness on the world stage.

Britain ranks 30th out of 38 OECD nations for competitiveness and could plunge further.

Daniel Herring, from The Centre for Policy Studies, said: “There’s a real danger that Britain could end up with one of the least competitive and most anti-growth tax systems in the OECD if the expected tax rises come to fruition.”

Tina McKenzie, from the Federation of Small Businesses, said the Budget must deliver “on the growth promises in the election”.

She said: “The Chancellor should back small firms to deliver more jobs, better pay and fire up our economy.”

CORONATION Street’s Charlie Lawson has revealed he was nearly driven to suicide by years of physical abuse at the hands of his ex-wife, admitting: “Life was a ­living hell.”

In a heartbreaking part two of our interview with the actor, he revealed that while he was playing wife-beater Jim McDonald on screen, at home he was the terrified victim and could see no way out.

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Corrie’s Charlie Lawson has revealed he was nearly driven to suicide by years of physical abuse at the hands of his ex-wife[/caption]

Rex Features

The 65-year-old, who bears a scar from one attack, says: “I was depressed because of what I was going through and I had been prescribed pills.

“All I could think about was finding peace. And I meant it. I would kill myself, end it all. I was in a very scary place.”

Charlie’s tormentor was Corrie make-up artist Lesley Bond, who he married in 1999 and who died aged 55 in 2010.

The Northern Irish actor revealed that even their wedding day at idyllic Lucknam Park, Wilts, was marred by violence.

Lesley accused me of flirting with the bride and slapped me so hard that I nearly fell over…I loved her to pieces but she was very, very ill

Charlie

Speaking ahead of the release of his autobiography, That’s Life, So It Is, Charlie recalls: “We met another couple who were getting married there at the same time.

“Lesley later accused me of flirting with the bride and slapped me so hard that I nearly fell over.

“A few weeks later at home she flew into a rage and attacked me with an empty bottle.

“I loved her to pieces but she was very, very ill, bless her.”

Charlie was 35 and had been married for 12 years when he met Lesley on the cobbles set in early 1994.

It was love at first sight and led to him leaving his first wife Susie, who he shared daughter Laura with.

But her jealousy blighted their relationship from the start.

‘No more pain’

He says: “Once after chatting innocently to a neighbour while putting the bins out, I came inside to find Lesley waiting. She slapped me.

“It took several minutes to calm her down and work out she was convinced I was having an affair.

“I discovered she was seriously addicted to prescription drugs. She had been given Valium years before and had continued to take them. I found a stash of all kinds of pills.

“They made her paranoid, she always thought I was cheating.”

Charlie, who is now happily married to third wife Debbie Stanley, continues: “Once, when I was driving, she punched me on the side of my neck causing me to nearly crash.

“Once she came at me with a pair of scissors.”

It is then that Charlie stops our interview and fights back tears as he shows the scar which, years after the scissors attack, is still visible on his hand.

After that attack he planned to kill himself.

He says: “I knew life could not go on like this. Leaving her would break my heart but if I wasn’t here everything would be solved. She could move on with her life and there would be no more pain.”

But at the last minute Charlie rang his close friend and former colleague Eva Pope, who had played barmaid Tanya Pooley in the soap.

He told her how he felt, and recalls: “She said, ‘Get your a**e over here right now’. While Lesley slept I packed my bag and went.

“Eva saved me that night. She held me in her arms and listened to me, she told me I had to get out before something goes badly wrong.”

Charlie continues: “I did go back but just for a short while. One night she came at me, attacked me and I pushed her to the floor.

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Lawson with make-up artist girlfriend Lesley Bond, who physically abused him[/caption]

“And that was it. I thought, ‘If I lose my temper here then there’s only going to be one winner’.”

This fear of turning violent himself was a stark contrast to his brutal TV character Jim, an ex-squaddie who abused wife Liz (Beverley Callard) and their sons Steve and Andy, played by Simon Gregson and Nick Cochrane.

Charlie first played the role from 1989 to 2000 but has been regularly back for stints ever since — his most recent return was in 2018.

He says: “The years I spent on Coronation Street are some of the best of my life. Bev was a huge giggler and we would have so much fun. We got up to all sorts.

“We asked the director and writers if, as a prank, we could make up a fake storyline where Nick, who was only about 15, had to have an affair with a 50-year-old woman.

“An extra agreed to be the woman. Nick was a cocky young lad. We stitched him up something rotten.

“There were several scenes where he meets this woman and kisses her. Nick was in a complete state of terror. As we filmed, Bev and I couldn’t keep it together. Finally, we shouted, ‘Gotcha’. Everyone was in stitches, he was mortified.”

A much more settled life

Off set Charlie developed a reputation as a hellraiser, along with partner-in-crime Phil Middlemiss, who played bookmaker Des Barnes.

They became regulars at Manchester club La Gitane, where they would drink with Manchester United footballers and singer Lisa Stansfield.

Charlie says: “We would be there until breakfast time and straight into Granada [Studios]. We’d grab an hour’s sleep and then film.”

Charlie now lives a much more settled life with Debbie, 60, a business-woman.

She was at his side when he learned Lesley had died in her home in Oxford.

She had fallen and knocked herself out, then died of hypothermia.

Charlie had to identify Lesley’s body and was later given her ashes.

He says: “God rest her. We scattered her ashes on her favourite beach up in the Highlands.”

Charlie married Debbie in October last year after 22 years together.

Now he is looking forward to a new career challenge, hosting a chat show on ITV in Northern Ireland.

He says: “We’re going to shoot a pilot in January. I’ll be like Eamonn Holmes!”

• That’s Life, So It Is by Charlie Lawson (£19.99, New Gen-eration Publishing) is out on November 7.

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That’s Life, So It Is by Charlie Lawson is out on November 7[/caption]

A GREAT British Bake Off Halloween special was served up with a trigger warning for being spooky.

Channel 4’s streaming service ruled the family show’s first and only “Halloween Week” in 2022 “isn’t suitable for younger viewers”.

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A Great British Bake Off Halloween special was served up with a trigger warning for being ‘too spooky’[/caption]

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Judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood with Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding[/caption]

The woke message, under a red “Guidance” symbol, was put on the sixth episode — popping up on the app and website before viewers click play.

Those brave enough to press ahead see comics Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas in the legendary tent decked out with orange and black balloons, fake skeletons and spider webs.

Contestants, including eventual winner Syabira Yusoff, are shown making apple and pumpkin dishes for judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood.

Warning labels are usually applied to shows with strong language, violence or nudity but have also been given to classic comedies due to “language of the time”.

Senior Tory MP Sir John Hayes said: “Most people find these type of trigger warnings very bizarre.

“The idea that Bake Off could be risky or dangerous is for the birds.”

Last night the alert was dropped after The Sun intervened, with bosses insisting it was an error.

MOVING obese corpses has become a safety hazard for hospital morgue staff, says the NHS.

Rising obesity rates mean workers face a greater risk of putting their backs out lifting and shifting heavier bodies.

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Hospital morgue staff have been warned that moving big patients’ bodies is now a health and safety hazard[/caption]

Many morgues now have bigger fridges and wider doors, and must keep larger corpses in a special store room to minimise contact.

NHS guidance states “lifting and moving of bodies” is now a health and safety issue owing to a rise in “people with excess weight”.

It says “appropriate refrigerated storage” should be provided with bigger store rooms “to minimise un­necessary handling of the body”.

Workplace accident lawyer Lisa Fairclough said ­manual handling accidents account for a fifth of all reported workplace incidents.

The NHS said: “It is important the right procedures are in place to manage bodies with respect and in a safe way for staff.

“That is why the NHS has provided up-to-date guidance on lifting and moving of bodies, and trusts are advised to consider the most appropriate refrigerated storage that will minimise unnecessary handling of the body.”

Thirty per cent of Brits are now severely overweight, double the level for 1993.

AS Halloween draws near, planning for the October 31 fright fest goes into overdrive.

But it doesn’t have to be all about pumpkins and lollipops – the supermarkets also have some splendidly spooky cakes.

Olivia West

Lynsey Hope gives her verdicts on Halloween cakes[/caption]

Prices are often not too scary either, and they are a great option if you do not have the time to bake.

Lynsey Hope tasted some and gives her verdicts and ratings out of five . . . 

Marks & Spencer Mini Halloween Pumpkin Cakes, £4 for four: 4/5

Olivia West

These cakes are fun and a tasty party treat[/caption]

DESCRIBED as “mini” but these are quite substantial, even for a chocolate lover like me.

The chocolate sponge is moist and delicious and is filled with a sweet orange buttercream which I could not get enough of, though there was plenty of it.

The cakes are then dipped in orange icing so they look like pumpkins.

Not as cheap as some other own brands but delicious.

Fun and tasty party treat.

Iceland Giant Eyeball Dessert, £7: 4/5

Olivia West

The Iceland Giant Eyeball Dessert is moist and a hit with the kids[/caption]

A REAL showstopper, this stand-out creation is most impressive.

A Victoria sponge with layers of raspberry and white chocolate mousse, it comes frozen and is designed to look like an eyeball – all at a competitive price.

The kids were delighted and it tasted fab. The sponge is moist and the cake is covered in a yummy white chocolate shell.

You need to defrost in the fridge for 12 hours or so before eating.

Sainsbury’s Spooky Tray Bake, £7: 5/5

Olivia West

This Spooky Tray Bake would go down a storm at any party[/caption]

HALLOWEEN version of one of those rectangular chocolate birthday cakes.

The sponge is really tasty – moist and not too sweet – and it is topped with a creamy chocolate butter- cream, white drizzle and sugar-paste eyeballs.

The design is simple but just the thing for scare season.

The kids scoffed it eagerly and I reckon it would go down a storm at any party.

Fiona Cairns Seasonal Fairy Cakes, £7 for six, Waitrose: 3/5

Olivia West

These Waitrose cakes are not as sickly as some cakes can be[/caption]

DELICATE-looking delights in pretty pastel colours, these are dainty as can be and not as scary or spooky as other offerings.

They taste lovely, though.

The sponge is light and moreish and the icing is spot on. Also, they were not as sickly as some cakes can be.

A tasty option if you are not too keen on the thought of little ones gobbling ghouls or eyeballs and other scary bakes for their Halloween party tea.

Lidl Sticky Toffee Halloween Muffins, 99p each: 3/5

Olivia West

These Sticky Toffee Halloween Muffins from Lidl are delicious[/caption]

GREAT to have an option that is not chocolate.

These muffins have a lovely flavour that is perfect for this time of year.

The taste was subtle enough for the kids to enjoy and the sponge was moist and moreish.

The muffins did not exactly stand out on the shop shelf against some prettier cakes, with just a splodge of toffee sauce and a chocolate ghost on top.

But they did taste delicious.

Morrisons Super Scary Cupcakes, £5: 2/5

Olivia West

The icing on the Morrisons cupcakes tastes a little artificial and too sugary[/caption]

I LOVED the look of these scary cakes – especially the eyeball ones, which really put you in a spooky mood.

They would be fabulous as part of a Halloween party spread, and the kids and I could not wait to tuck in.

The sponge was pretty good but the icing tasted just a little artificial, and too sugary.

These cakes score well for appearance, not so well once in the mouth.

Asda Horror Emporium Miles The Millipede Cake, £7.50: 1/5

Olivia West

This Asda option is a little dry and flavourless[/caption]

MILES’ sponge tasted a little dry and flavourless and the chocolate coating separated from the cake as I cut into it.

He looks cute, though, and the sugar decorations are a delight without being overpowering.

Pack says this serves 12 but I reckon that is a bit tight.

You get better value with the Sainsbury’s tray-bake, which is 50p cheaper, and Iceland’s offering is a bit more fun.

Aldi Halloween Mini Cupcakes, £1.75 for nine: 3/5

Olivia West

These Aldi mini cupcakes are pretty good value for a pack of nine[/caption]

SMALL but tasty. And their modest size means these are not too much of a sugar overload for little ones – though you will want to tuck in too.

They were pretty good value for a pack of nine.

Nothing really blew me away, tastewise, but they were decent enough. And the decorations were sufficiently spooky.

Maybe just a bit too middle of the road.

House Speaker Mike Johnson got into a testy exchange with CNN's Jake Tapper over recent rhetoric from former President Donald Trump about the "enemy from within" as well as X-rated insinuations about golfer Arnold Palmer.

Some North Carolina nursing homes remain without running water weeks after Hurricane Helene — leaving elderly residents unable to shower, wash their hands or flush the toilet without a bucket.

The former New England Patriots coach and the cheerleader stepped out for a fall date in Massachusetts.