Month: December 2024

Two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials have been pulled from the BBC’s schedule after Gregg Wallace stepped away from hosting the cooking show, a BBC spokesperson said. The broadcaster previously announced a Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off and a Strictly Festive Extravaganza as part of its festive schedule, both billed as hour-long programmes for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. A BBC spokesperson said: “As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing […]

The Queen has told guests at the state visit that her chest infection was a form of pneumonia. Camilla is suffering from post-viral fatigue and is missing the outdoor elements of the Qatari visit after being urged by her doctors to take more time to recover. It is understood Camilla’s condition was viral, not bacterial, and she no longer has pneumonia. The Queen missed the outdoor ceremonial welcome on a […]

Scotland’s NHS will become “much worse” over the winter, the head of the doctors’ union has warned after a report said fundamental reform in the health service is needed. The Audit Scotland report said some services may need to be withdrawn in order to free up resources to meet growing demand for healthcare. It said the Scottish Government has no clear plan for how to bring about change in the […]

The Emir of Qatar will begin a two-day state visit to the UK hosted by the King. Charles will welcome Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, during a ceremony of pomp and pageantry staged in Whitehall. But missing will be Queen Camilla who, on Monday evening, pulled out of the official open-air greeting on Horse Guards Parade and a carriage ride […]

Victims of the “horrendous” crime of stalking are to be given better protection including the right to know the identity of their online stalkers, the Government has said. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has committed to using “every tool available” to take power from abusers and hand it to victims. The changes come following a warning earlier this year from a group of watchdogs who said police are failing to protect […]

Spending on cough and cold remedies was a bright spot in November as weak consumer confidence and rising energy bills caused anxiety for retailers in the all-important run-up to Christmas. A later Black Friday this year, resulting in artificially weaker November figures, still could not disguise figures suggesting it is “unlikely to be a bumper Christmas for all” as many consumers remain focused on budgeting, analysts suggest. The British Retail […]

The Queen is to miss the ceremonial welcome during the Qatari state visit after suffering significantly diminished reserves of energy following her chest infection. Doctors have urged Camilla, 77, to take time to rest and recover fully because of the lingering effects of the illness, which she contracted a month ago following her long-haul trip to Australia and Samoa. The King and the Prince and Princess of Wales are set […]

New Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was “astonished” by the amount of managerial offers he received on the back of his spell as Manchester United interim manager. The Dutchman had four games in caretaker charge at Old Trafford – two of them against Leicester – following Erik ten Hag’s sacking in October but left the club upon the appointment of Ruben Amorim. He was only out of work for a […]

Downing Street has said Gregg Wallace’s response to the accusations being made against him was “inappropriate and misogynistic”. The MasterChef presenter, who faces various allegations of making “inappropriate sexual jokes” and complaints about his behaviour, has said the claims have come from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”. The 60-year-old faces allegations from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by […]