USA Update

A COUNTRY music star will travel between the worlds of music and acting as she makes a special appearance in Emmerdale.

Twinnie-Lee Moore is a 37 year old actress, singer, and songwriter from York, who also happens to be a country star, but she is hanging up her microphone for the time being to appear in the Yorkshire-based soap tonight.

PA

The country star Twinnie-Lee Moore has returned to her Yorkshire roots as she joins the ITV1 soap cast for a guest stint.[/caption]

PA

Twinnie-Lee Moore plays boxing promoter Jade with Jay Kontzle, played by Billy Fletcher[/caption]

She plays ambitious and ruthless boxing promoter Jade. 

With Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) already drawn into the dark world of unlicensed boxing, Jade’s arrival will put pressure on him to continue this dangerous trade.

But Jade has an agenda and Billy’s safety is not on it.

He’s tempted by Jade’s offer and the financial promises that comes with it, but he’s also aware of the dangerous consequences it may bring.

Over the coming months, will Billy come to regret his association with callous Jade or has he already put his family in grave danger?

You may recognise Twinnie from Hollyoaks where she played Porche McQueen.

However, she took a brief break to focus on her career as a country music singer.

She has worked with greats such as Bryan Adams and is due to go on a tour with Keifer Sutherland.

But Twinnie will make a special appearance on the soap around her music commitments.

Speaking about her new role, Twinnie said: “My life has been a bit crazy recently juggling music and acting with lots of back and forth between Nashville and Yorkshire but I’ve been loving it!!

“I’ve loved being back on screen, especially as the show is shot in Yorkshire, being able to be home with family and go to work on such an iconic show has been nothing short of amazing!

“The whole team has been so welcoming and really supportive. My character is so much fun to play and I can’t wait to see how the audience reacts to her.”

During a previous appearance on Lorraine, Twinnie revealed that music has always been her lifelong passion, growing up in a musical family.

“Music my whole life,” she gushed.

” I’ve been on stage since the age of four and my first concert was Gilbert O Sullivan’s.

However, she pursued acting as her first love until a co-star persuaded her to explore her other talent,

She said: “I think what attracted me to country music is their ability to tell good stories, which is what I have tried to do in my songwriting.

“I have spent lots of time in Nashville, it is so intoxicating, I have several friends who are like family there. If you’ve never you should.”

Lime Pictures

Porche was played by Twinnie-Lee Moore in Hollyoaks[/caption]

Watch out for her on Emmerdale, which airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

MARRIED At First Sight UK fans have branded one groom ‘heartless’ after a dinner party resulted in another bitter row.

Alex and Holly appeared to reach breaking point on Thursday night’s episode, with the couple shocked by the arrival of three new couples.

Channel 4

Holly was left upset after Alex made a beeline to one of the new brides[/caption]

Channel 4

Alex refused to speak to Holly and shut down the conversation[/caption]

Channel 4

The groom accused Holly of playing up for the cameras[/caption]

Holly was left feeling upset when Alex made a beeline for one of the new brides, leaving her alone.

At one point she even left the party for some alone time, and he didn’t go after her.

When she returned for the meal, Alex was seen rolling his eyes at her as she sat down, and things went from bad to worse when Holly tried to address with Alex why she was feeling upset.

Instead, Alex shut her down, telling her: “You already know what you’re doing. You know what you’re doing. You’re doing bare things for the cameras.”

As Holly tried to explain herself, he continued: “Listen, stop talking. I’m asking you, let me finish my… Can you please stop talking to me?

“I’m asking you nicely. Please don’t talk to me right now. That’s it. I need you to respect. I need you to respect what I’ve asked you.”

“If there’s an issue we can talk between us,” she told him, promting him to repeat, “You’re acting up for cameras”.

“Are you joking me? Why are you assuming that’s the case?” said a frustrated Holly.

Instead of responding, Alex repeated the phrase “I’ve asked you to stop speaking to me” over and over.

Finally defeated, Holly agreed to chat back at home, and asked him for a hug.

“I’m not there yet. I’m being honest,” he responded.

Fans weren’t best pleased with Alex’s behaviour, and took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their anger.

“Alex is scary. He just wants to be able to do whatever he wants without consequence or taking his wife’s feelings into my consideration. Like even Adam understands her point?” wrote one.

“How is leaving Holly alone and clearly upset better for Alex in the eyes of the group?,” added a second. “Surely a quick conversation with her to resolve the issue would be better. This has made it look worse.”

A third said: “Alex’s gaslighting is on another level. He chats up another woman all night but Holly has to shut up because she’s ruining the evening by being upset by it!?!?”

“Alex’s manipulative and abusive tendencies are jumping out again, nasty man,” said another.

A fourth wrote: “OMG Alex is next level toxic,” while a fifth said: “Alex is such a d**k. F**king hell man. This mean is HEARTLESS!!!”

Married At First Sight UK continues weekdays at 9pm on E4.

Channel 4

The couple are at a breaking point[/caption]

Channel 4

Holly was left struggling to voice her opinion[/caption]

UNILEVER is finally calling quits on selling ice creams to Russia, two and a half years after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The FTSE 100 giant has come under pressure for funding the Kremlin’s war by remaining in the country.

Eyevine

Unilever, which also makes Dove, is finally calling quits on selling ice creams to Russia[/caption]

Getty

The giant has come under pressure for funding the Kremlin’s war by remaining in the country[/caption]

Unilever had been branded an “international sponsor of war” by the Ukrainian government — puncturing the woke firm’s self-styled reputation for social purpose and values.

The backlash included protests outside its London HQ.

The invasion of Ukraine triggered an exodus of big Western firms, including BP, McDonald’s and Burberry.

However, Unilever stayed put. The company, which also makes Dove, has now made a reported £430million selling its Russian assets to billionaire Alexey Sagal, who bought Heineken’s Russian subsidiary for €1.

Unilever did not say what it would be doing with the sale ­proceeds or whether it would donate them to Ukraine.

Rival KitKat-maker Nestle justified staying in Russia with slimmed-down operations of “essential products” such as baby milk.

But Unilever was still making products such as Magnums, ­Cornettos and Ben & Jerry ice cream from four factories in the country.

By remaining in Russia, Unilever contributed millions of pounds in taxes to the Russian government.

The Moral Rating agency had estimated Unilever’s business propped up the Russian economy to the tune of $650million (£498million) a year, which it said was “enough to pay for an Iranian drone every 17 minutes”.

Nataliya Popovych, a co-founder of the B4Ukraine coalition, said: “We are pleased to see Unilever make the right move, even though such a decision comes two years too late.”

Hein Schumacher, Unilever’s boss, previously said remaining in Russia was the “least bad” option, which avoided handing over its workforce, factory and assets.

Yesterday Mr Schumacher said the sale to Mr Sagal’s Arnest Group “ends Unilever presence in the country”.

He said: “Over the past year, we have been carefully preparing the Unilever Russia business for a potential sale.

“This work has been very complex, and has involved separating IT platforms and supply chains.”

SELLING UP TO BEAT BUDGET

FEARS that the Chancellor will hike capital gains tax in the Budget have prompted many business owners to fast-track selling their firms over the past year, figures show.

A poll of 500 owners by wealth advisers Evelyn Partners found 23 per cent of those to accelerate selling up had done so because they feared a hit from CGT relief.

A fifth were driven by concerns over inheritance tax relief, making it more costly to pass family firms to the next generation.

Evelyn tax partner Laura Hayward said: “The PM’s statement that the upcoming Budget would be ‘painful’ has put owner-managed businesses on edge.”

Charles Hall, of broker Peel Hunt, said rumoured changes to business relief would “fatally undermine” London’s junior Aim stock market, destroying up to £21billion of shareholder value and risking jobs.

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SHARES in GSK briefly rose by 7 per cent yesterday as it agreed to pay £1.7billion to settle a legal dispute with 80,000 Zantac users.

The heartburn drug was pulled in 2019 amid fears of carcinogens. GSK did not admit liability. Shares closed up 3 per cent.

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IKEA IDEA ON PRICE

IKEA’S decision to cut prices has led to lower revenues at the Swedish furniture giant.

It posted a 6.8 per cent drop in UK sales to £2.3billion after investing £117million in lowering prices by around 20 per cent on 3,481 products.

More than half of its sales this year have been online, compared with 38 per cent two years ago. Ikea UK boss Peter Jelkeby said: “Continuing to lower prices remains our long-term priority.”

TSB FINED£10M FOR BAD HELP

TSB has been fined £10.9million for its unfair treatment of customers.

Paul Tonge - The Sun

TSB has been fined £10.9million for its unfair treatment of customers, one staffer suggested a borrower removed the £20 a month they had allocated for children’s clothes and made sandwiches instead of paying for school meals.[/caption]

The Financial Conduct Authority said the bank had “woeful systems and controls” and created unrealistic repayment plans.

A TSB staffer had suggested a borrower removed the £20 a month they had allocated for children’s clothes and made sandwiches instead of paying for school meals.

In another case the bank applied arrears to a dead customer’s mortgage payments.

It also applied arrears to a customer after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and did not flag another as vulnerable despite them making repeated references to suicide in calls.

The failings took place between June 2014 and March 2020.

TSB agreed to resolve the issues identified, which meant the fine was cut by 30 per cent from £15.6million.

DAWN OF THE A.I. BOSS

WORKERS will soon be right when complaining that their boss is a robot — with video call firm Zoom creating artificial intelligence avatars for conference calls.

IMDB

1992 sci-fi film The Lawnmower Man could be inspiration for managers of the future[/caption]

Its latest AI software means that bosses can use a digital version of themselves, or a generic avatar, to deliver brief video messages to workers on calls.

Zoom’s boss Eric Yuan has previously talked about creating a “digital twin” of himself as a way to solve busy people’s problem of how to be in two places at the same time.

The rise of remote working has meant bosses are increasingly delivering news of lay-offs via video calls — meaning workers could find themselves being let go by a robot in the near future.

TEMPLEGATE tackles Friday’s top-class action confident of building the bank for another monster weekend of racing.

Back a horse by clicking their odds below.

TABITI (3.35 Newmarket, nap)

This unbeaten filly can keep trainer Ralph Beckett’s golden big-race run going. He sent out another brilliant filly in Bluestocking to take the Arc under today’s pilot Rossa Ryan and this daughter of Kingman looks ready to tackle a longer distance.

She caught the eye when cruising to victory on her July Course debut before taking her form to the next level when winning the Dick Poole Stakes at Salisbury last month. Her best work came at the finish of that Group 3 contest and she wasn’t stopping over seven furlongs two starts back. This mile should be ideal.

KILDARE LEGEND (4.10 Newmarket, nb)

He was impressive in scoring on handicap debut at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting. He relished the step up to this distance and the bit of cut in the ground on Town Moor. Trainer James Ferguson is ending the season strongly and a 6lb rise in the weights looks more than fair.

NAXOS (1.30 York, treble)

George Boughey’s four-year-old showed a real liking for testing ground when beaten just a length at Goodwood 16 days ago. He should get his ideal conditions again and the handicapper has left his mark alone. He likes to get out in front and he could take plenty of pegging back up the Knavesmire in what should be sticky conditions.

Templegate’s tips

FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.

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Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died last year but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Push on with ambitions the moment you wake up – if there’s something you need to say, or hear, it can go well.

Later, friendships and work bonds benefit from your attention, as someone who is usually so loud may go quiet, and appreciate a no-pressure approach from you.

Luck can link to a springtime meeting.

 TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

Rebellious planet Uranus has considerable hold over your chart right now, and this can be why you feel the need to break free.

Working with people around you, rather than against them, can be your ticket to success. Give this some thought.

Neptune’s influence pulls you back to a caring job you couldn’t complete.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

How you feel about your wellbeing on the inside matters just as much as how you look on the outside. So if something is not right for you, tackle it. T

aking on too many health changes, too fast, can set you up to stumble, so pace yourself.

Prizes linked to the North can come closer by tonight.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

CANCER

June 22 to July 22

If you are only pretending to agree with someone close, do ask yourself why as the moon and Mercury clarify motives.

You can find a different way forward, but be honest with yourself.

A journey plan that’s stalled can get going again when you accept at least one person is not ready for the same direction as you.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

LEO

July 23 to August 23

Remembering you are human, but so are other people, can help you navigate through a tricky spell of different opinions.

Avoid making demands or decisions – try to be flexible.

Gradually you can see a way forward for all. It’s hard to know what to say to someone suffering, but it’s important to try.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

tand by for surprises as your chart of the unexpected has Uranus input all day.

From new cash sources to a chance to re-do an interview or date, so many opportunities are waiting.

A story or the bare bones of a plot that keeps coming back into you can be the starting point for a stunning creative success.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

Getty

Passion is so optimistic, try not to waste any chances[/caption]

LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

Your Mercury self is ready to speak out, but your moon influence may stop you.

Sit with some words until you are really sure they are the right ones. You can make such a lasting impression all day.

Family affairs may feel like they take up too much time, but giving more of yourself now can free up space and energy.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Neptune’s potential to add a layer of caring to every decision is strong in your chart today.

So you have the ability to win over voices that may have been strong in opposition.

But you also have a passion depth that is inspiring, and showing you believe only the best of love, and lovers, can be your way to happiness.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

Work that rewards your natural optimism is important in your life – and a part-time or spare-time role that’s on offer could fulfil this, even if the cash offer is low.

This is your day to make a decision on this, in your own heart.

Supporting friends and family need not mean giving advice – be ready to listen, and to love

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Those ideas to update or upgrade your personal style get a boost – so start putting them into practice first thing.

You may need to make a choice according to your conscience as the moon highlights everything and everyone that matters to you.

Rating your own judgement is the key, no matter what.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

Supplied

Luck calls at a family of gym fans[/caption]

AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

You may feel more giving in a money sense as Neptune influences your cash chart – but make sure you examine all options properly.

Keeping that usual Aquarius cool head is important, even when the heat is on.

As for love, Venus is not content with good enough – aim for great. Luck knocks on a crimson door.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

PISCES

February 19 to March 20

A dream you have had to put away, perhaps for years, can suddenly re-emerge and surprise you with its intensity.

If this links to love, do not doubt that this time your heart is more resilient.

If it’s a career or study hope, talking to someone who has made recent life changes can help you decide where to take this.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

GRAHAM COXON and Rose Elinor Dougall, partners in life AND music, have taken things to the next level.

If their first album as The Waeve was the sound of “working it out as we went along”, their second is bigger, bolder, darker, edgier.

Kalpesh Lathigra

Graham and Rose’s daughter inspired a lot of The Waeve’s songs[/caption]

For the Blur guitarist and the former Pipettes singer, City Lights is proof that this meeting of like minds has staying power — and that it can pack a punch.

When I mention his squalling guitar on the opening title track, Coxon says: “As soon as you put it on, it’s like getting a few punches in the face.”

And when asked to define the essential difference between the two albums, he replies: “The first draws on the natural world — the countryside and dreamy coastal settings.

Everything felt more muscular and more driven. And I was up for exploring that energy further.

Rose Elinor Dougall

“The guitars had a bluish, smudged sort of attitude.

“But because the second one is more city orientated, we were a lot less gentle.”

Dougall nods in agreement, adding: “I don’t think Graham needed any encouragement this time around.

“Everything felt more muscular and more driven. And I was up for exploring that energy further.”

Coxon draws my attention to Broken Boys, another song with a gritty, urban vibe and inspired by his love of “cheap, post-punk weirdo music”.

He says: “It’s got distorted guitar, then Rose cuts right through with a nasty synth noise. She’s being as bad as me!”

Then there is the unnerving Moth To A Flame, which, says Coxon, has “an almost moronic bassline” and is based on his “recurring nightmares and mad scribblings at 4am”.

‘So transformative’

When I spoke to the couple early last year for the self-titled Waeve debut, Dougall was bouncing their baby daughter on her knee — now the subject of their heartfelt Song For Eliza May.

This time, when our video call flickers into life, they’re sitting in the same room somewhere in North London but Dougall reports: “She’s at nursery today, thankfully, so we can string a sentence together properly.”

Of the song she calls their “loving gesture” to Eliza, she adds: “When we started working on the record, I was a bit reticent about referring to her because it felt too vulnerable.

“Within the music and the lyrics, there’s a feeling that we can’t always be optimistic and sweet . . . because the world isn’t like that.

Graham Coxon

“But The Waeve is a place where we reflect on what’s happening to us in the moment.

“I thought it would be a missed opportunity not to engage with the idea of motherhood. Having a child is so transformative.”

Propelled by Coxon’s mandolin, Song For Eliza May is no sugar-coated ode. Instead it addresses any parent’s concern about bringing a child into our dangerous world.

One verse goes: “I dread the day when you first realise the cruelty of the truth that life ain’t fair. Seek out beauty and magic everywhere.”

Coxon says: “I’m glad it’s not happy-clappy or comparable to John Lennon’s Beautiful Boy.

‘There is a threat running through all of the songs, even the one about our daughter.

“Within the music and the lyrics, there’s a feeling that we can’t always be optimistic and sweet . . . because the world isn’t like that.”

Talking to Coxon and Dougall, it’s clear their little daughter has had further influence on their new album.

Of the languid Simple Days, Dougall says: “That nice bit of (acoustic) guitar came from Graham fiddling around in the front room, playing for Eliza.”

Coxon picks up the thread: “The chords at the beginning of Sunrise, and the melody, came from me playing to her early in the morning.”

Now, before we go on, it’s time for a Waeve recap. Their self-titled debut record arrived in February last year, just before the not insignificant matter of the Blur reunion which included two momentous shows at Wembley Stadium and an acclaimed LP, The Ballad Of Darren.

Guitar heroics

Coxon and Dougall were mindful that their project should not lose momentum but the return of the Britpop darlings proved a great experience — for both of them.

“I was lucky enough to go to quite a few shows. They were joyful,” says Dougall.

“And Graham did such an amazing job keeping all the plates spinning throughout last year.”

Coxon’s guitar heroics were among the great spectacles of the Wembley shows — one photo showing him playing mid-air like The Who’s Pete Townshend in his prime.

He says: “It was quite surreal just how well it all went and how relaxed it all felt.

“We had a lot more people working on Blur machinery than The Waeve’s, so I didn’t have to worry about an awful lot.

“I just had to show up, play guitar and not make too much of an idiot of myself — oh, and not hurt myself!”

It’s safe to say that the Blur crowds were blissfully unaware that Coxon was in the middle of a delicate juggling act involving two bands.

“I wasn’t resentful about being taken away from Waeve-land,” he says. “It was great fun to be back out with those boys and facing big audiences.

“But I also really needed to keep connected to Rose and to what we wanted to do musically.”

Even while Blur were playing festival dates after their Wembley triumph, Coxon was coming up with ideas for The Waeve’s album No.2.

“You can get out of the habit of writing music but I wanted to get into the habit because I felt that a second album was in reach,” he says.

“I took a little studio set up with me so when I was jet-lagged at four in the morning, I wasn’t just watching crazy TV that I didn’t understand — I could actually work on something.

There’s nothing stunted about the way we work together and that makes me feel optimistic for the future.

Rose Elinor Dougall

“It was very important to me to keep everything bubbling at the surface rather than dropping out of sight.”

Coxon offers a wry smile when he recalls the first proper sessions with Dougall for the City Lights album.

“I always seem to be feeling well when I do stuff with Blur but I was so exhausted when I finally got home that I succumbed to illness.

“And that was when we had to do the recordings for The Waeve.”

Dougall remembers the moment well, saying: “We both had horrible colds for the first session and then Graham got tonsillitis for the second.

“On Girl Of The Endless Night, there’s even a tonsillitis kind of timbre to Graham’s vocal but it turned out rather well.”

The pair soon got into their stride, however, cementing a creative partnership which both appreciate enormously.

“It’s comforting and reassuring that we’ve managed to make this second record quickly,” says Dougall.

“There’s nothing stunted about the way we work together and that makes me feel optimistic for the future.”

As for Coxon, he sensed the spark between himself and Dougall was there from the start.

‘Can be a disaster’

He says: “When we were swapping ideas really early on, late 2020, early ’21, I just thought, ‘Crikey, how often do these moments produce good music?’”

And Dougall again: “I’ve done a bit more co-writing than Graham.

“It can seem really brilliant on paper but if the stars don’t align and there isn’t the right energy in the room, it can be a disaster.

“When I got the opportunity to work with one of my favourite ever musicians, I worried that it might be a total nightmare. I was relieved when it wasn’t!”

Coxon adds: “Maybe it was just luck but it felt as if someone was looking after us — as if the universe was knocking our heads together.”

Kickstarting and setting the tone of the new album is the aforementioned title track, City Lights.

Not only does it feature Coxon’s guitar at its searing best but also his dizzying saxophone solo.

He describes himself as a “bit of a jazzer at heart” but says the sax can “sit quite awkwardly within a lot of pop music”.

For Coxon, exceptions include Hazel O’Connor’s Breaking Glass album and various songs by Ian Dury & The Blockheads, King Crimson and his favourite prog rock band, Van Der Graaf Generator.

Two of the new Waeve compositions, also the longest naturally, have a distinct whiff of prog about them.

Druantia, named after a tree goddess in a Robert Graves book, is nearly eight minutes of retro-styled freak-out.

As for its message, Dougall says: “It’s about the blood and guts of life and how nature isn’t just this beautiful thing but can also be dark and weird.”

Despite its unsettling lyrics, the album finale Sunrise builds to an uplifting crescendo, driven by keyboards and strings.

For Coxon, the song’s “outro” harks back to the closing passages of Pink Floyd’s Saucerful of Secrets or What Goes On by the Velvet Underground

He says: “I like stuff that subtly gains intensity. So, yeah, I love doing long stuff — I can’t really help myself.”

Another song worthy of note is You Saw, the idea for which was initiated by Dougall.

“It’s a reflection on reconciling your past self with your present self,” she says.

“Obviously my life has changed dramatically in the last few years since I met Graham.

‘Oasis reunion good’

“And just because you have a kid, you don’t suddenly become this whole new person.”

Before we go our separate ways, the conversation inevitably drifts back to Blur and a certain other Britpop band which has hit the headlines, Oasis.

Coxon backs the decision by Noel and Liam Gallagher to put aside their feud and follow in Blur’s footsteps to Wembley Stadium.

Hopefully it’s a genuine reunion because some bands break up and don’t get that chance again.

Graham Coxon on the Oasis reunion

“It’s good for them and it’s good for fans. I’ve been saying, ‘Just do it,’” he says.

His path crossed with Noel this summer when The Waeve appeared on the same festival bill.

So did Coxon encourage him to reform Oasis? I ask.

“God no, I wouldn’t have talked to him about it and it’s not really my business. I don’t know him well enough to say that.

“But hopefully it’s a genuine reunion because some bands break up and don’t get that chance again.”

Kalpesh Lathigra

If their first album as The Waeve was the sound of “working it out as we went along”, their second is bigger, bolder, darker, edgier[/caption]

PA:Press Association

Graham with Blur bandmate Damon Albarn[/caption]

And what about the future of Blur?

“Each time we get together, there needs to be a shared experience like making a record, otherwise there’s no point in doing it for us,” affirms Coxon.

“That involves a hell of a lot more work and stress though!” he insists.

Then he pauses for a second before adding: “And we all feel the need to go out and do our own things.”

That, of course, is where The Waeve comes in. “It’s the best gig ever!” says Dougall.

Supplied

City Lights by The Waeve is in the shops now[/caption]

THE WAEVE

City Lights

★★★★☆

INTENSE footage shows armed cops snaring a drugs gang and seizing weapons and £5,000 cash in six raids across the UK.

Addresses in Manchester, West Yorkshire and Staffordshire were stormed by police carrying guns.

Greater Manchester Police

Cops stormed a number of properties in a series of raids[/caption]

Greater Manchester Police

Four men were arrested as a result of the raids[/caption]

Greater Manchester Police

A gun recovered in Stockport in previous raids[/caption]

Cops say it is the result of months of “meticulous investigations” in a bid to rid British streets of guns.

On Thursday morning, six warrants were executed across north Manchester, West Yorkshire and Staffordshire targeting a gang described by police as “one of the most harmful in Greater Manchester”.

Dozens of officers were involved in the early morning action at numerous addresses across the three regions.

Class A drugs were recovered after being launched out of a window in north Manchester and £5,000 in cash was also seized.

Four men have been arrested after the series of successful raids.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the arrested men, aged 22, 21 and two 19-year-olds, were held on suspicion of conspiracy to possess a firearm.

The operation was led by the force’s specialist anti-gang unit, codenamed Xcalibur.

Det Ch Insp Lee Moriarty said the unit was looking for serious organised criminals.

“We suspect this group has a really significant foothold when it comes to harassment, violence and intimidation.”

“We suspect them of large scale drug-dealing, money laundering and the cuckooing of addresses.”

Cuckooing is a practice where people take over a person’s home and use the property to hide drugs or guns.

Meanwhile, in Moston, a woman was seen opening her door and telling officers she has a baby inside.

It soon becomes apparent the suspect they’re after isn’t in.

Cops added that those impacted by raids – such as the woman and the baby in the Moston house this morning – will be supported by officers and referred on to other agencies for any further help they may need.

Officers will continue to raid alternative addresses in their hunt for that particular suspect.

DCI Moriarty said following this morning’s warrants: “Enforcement operations like the warrants executed this morning illustrate how seriously we take issues of gun crime and youth violence, and we will always proactively tackle these issues,”

“This supports and strengthens the work we do every day of the year across the force to reduce the threat of serious organised crime.

“Information from the public is vital if we are to have a real impact on organised crime groups and I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward.”

The raids come after Greater Manchester Police said they recovered 232 illegal firearms between 2020 and 2023, including two Skorpion sub-machine guns.

They also reported a steady decrease in known firearms discharges.

Cops say there were 58 in 2021; 29 in 2022; and 26 in 2023.

The force added that there have been 18 incidents involving guns in 2024 to date.

Greater Manchester Police

Drugs were also seized[/caption]

TRANSFORMERS ONE

(PG), 104 mins

★★★☆☆

PA

Transformers One takes place in a rebooted universe from the original films[/caption]

AS befits a franchise about shape-shifting robots, Transformers has had more alternate incarnations than anyone cares to remember.

And in the fortieth year since the original Eighties’ cartoon, we have yet another version.

It shares fan-favourite characters and story elements with predecessors but this is a rebooted universe, so you don’t need to have watched the originals or — mercifully — the patience-sapping live-action saga to enjoy this take by director Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4).

Serving up a mix of moralising and merchandising yes, it does frequently feel like it’s teeing things up to flog you some more plastic stuff this Christmas.

But the pacey origins animation is also pretty entertaining.

Unpacking the roots of the rivalry between Optimus Prime and Megatron, ‘One’ finally reveals the reason the former pals became enemies and changed the course of planet Cybertron.

We see their relationship begin as best-buddy mining automatons, then titled Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry).

Both lowly Metallics aspire to bigger things but a joyride in the annual Iacon 5k race to prove a point about their capabilities backfires and gets them banished to scrapheap-sifting duties.

Then our fist-bumping heroes embark on a mission to locate the missing Matrix of Leadership, where they uncover the unsavoury truth about corrupt current ruler Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm).

The discovery that his idolised leader is a crook is the catalyst for D-16 to turn into red-eyed franchise villain.

In a graveyard of Primes, revived Alpha Trion (Laurence Fishburne) helps them undergo their glow-up into true transformers.

Our bots are now primary-coloured giants, with the power to change into cars. But their friendship is over.

A male-dominated cast is lightened by the inclusion of pithy, purple-hued Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson).

And there is welcome humour from Bumblebee, nee B-12 (Keegan-Michael Key) as self-styled ‘Bad-Ass-a-tron’.

The explanation for the kind, thoughtful D-16’s personality change into the aggressive, destructive, evil-eyed Megatron is ultimately a bit woolly.

And visuals can look clunky and old fashioned.

But it’s fundamental Autobot versus Decepticons good fun — in disguise.

SALEM’S LOT

(15) 114mins   

★★★☆☆

STEPHEN King’s classic vampire novel, Salem’s Lot, has been given a terrifying – if disjointed – makeover.

Lewis Pullman stars as Ben Mears, a writer returning to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot to find it terrorised by a vampire.

Alamy

Stephen King’s classic vampire novel, Salem’s Lot, has been given a terrifying – if disjointed – makeover[/caption]

Teaming up with new love interest Susan (Makenzie Leigh), amiable school teacher Matt (a fantastic turn by Bill Camp) and the town’s no nonsense doctor (Alfre Woodard), Ben fights to save Salem’s Lot from the evil forces of the undead.

The stunning visuals give a creepy 70s vibe and the film delivers some spine-chilling moments, including a tense basement scene and a nail-biting finale at a drive-in cinema.

However, pacing problems hold it back.

At times it really felt like entire chapters of the book were missing, making the plot feel rushed and incomplete.

While it might not be the best adaptation of one of King’s most loved novels, Salem’s Lot is a solid horror flick that manages to avoid the usual pitfalls of the genre.

It’s familiar King territory – creepy small town, sinister evil, and boneheaded locals – and fans will lap it up.

• By Dulcie Pearce

TERRIFIER 3

(18) 125mins

★★★☆☆

PA

The Terrifier franchise delivers a gruesome Christmas horror experience[/caption]

DIRECTOR Damien Leone’s latest instalment in the Terrifier franchise delivers a gruesome Christmas horror experience with plenty of blood and gore.

The iconic and terrifying killer, Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton), returns to spread chaos, terror and a whole lot of festive fear.

Returning to face Art once again, Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) is still haunted by the horrors of Terrifier 2.

As the festive season approaches, a showdown with her murderous nemesis seems inevitable.

Terrifier 3 is as nasty and blood-soaked as they come.

There’s nothing subtle or meaningful here, and fans of the cult franchise won’t expect anything less.

Leone makes each gruesome kill feel personal and impactful, always with a tongue firmly in cheek. It’s no secret the Terrifier franchise isn’t known for its complex plot or deep character development.

Those familiar with these films primarily come for the over-the-top gore, brutal kills and silly antics.

With brilliantly crafted practical effects that hark back to horror’s Eighties heyday, Terrifier 3 does exactly what’s on the tin.          

• By Linda Marric

BIG Brother fans have branded Marcello a ‘pig’ after they claim he made Sarah ‘uncomfortable’ with a ‘sexualised’ comment.

The drama unfolded on social media in reaction to a scene in tonight’s episode of the hit ITV2 show.

Sarah was complimenting Marcello as he worked in the kitchen as part of the shopping task.

“You are so funny Marcello, when I first met you, you are not someone that I would think I would get on with so well,” Sarah told him.

Looking taken aback, he replied: “I’m a nice person.”

“I know you are, but on first impression…” she added.

“Everyone always judges me,” Marcello responded.

Sarah went on to explain: “Yeah because you sound like the way you sound, the accent, the city, the way you dress, you are just someone that in public I probably wouldn’t gravitate towards because I would be a bit intimidated.”

Marcello then flirtily shot back: “Oh honey, I would gravitate towards you, don’t worry about that.

While Hanah, who was watching on, screamed at his comment, Sarah looked unimpressed and said: “Please don’t”

Realising he had crossed a line, Marcello apologised.

“I’m sorry he said, making a heart shape with his hands. “I’m joking.”

But viewers were not happy, and took to X to slate him.

One fumed: “Sarah being nice to Marcello and him immediately using it as an opportunity to flirt, made me uncomfortable.”

Another raged: “Marcello is a pig clearly just made Sarah uncomfortable with his unwanted comments and advances.”

A third ranted: “Oh F*** OFF Sarah just opened up to Marcello and just like normal he SEXUALISES? Does this man just sexualise EVERY WOMAN HE SEES? Can’t wait for what he will say to AJ during his evicted interview.”

A fourth chimed: “Sarah literally just saying how marcello is nice and marcello immediately being a f***ing creep oh my god can he leave?”

A fifth weighed in: “Sarah should report Marcello to HR for making inappropriate sexual comments.”

And a sixth simply warned: “Marcello walk away from sarah rn.”

Big Brother continues at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

EAGLE-EYED Big Brother fans have called out TWO housemates after working out a shocking rule break on the show.

Discussion of nomination and hinting at who you may choose to nominate is strictly forbidden as per Big Brother‘s rules.

Yet fans think that housemates Nathan and Ali have become the first to break the ITV2 reality show’s fundamental rule.

Speculation had already been rife among viewers of the show’s Live Stream last night that Nathan had been hinting at the two housemates he wished to nominate for eviction.

Now, fans are certain a rule break has taken place after a conversation broadcast as part of the latest highlights episode.

In tonight’s episode, Nathan and Ali could be seen chatting about people who they did not think were “genuine” in the house.

Nathan at first remained coy before confessing to Ali that he had concerns regarding Daze and Sarah.

He admitted he had “question marks” above them as he insinuated they were his least favourite co-stars.

This conversation appears to have taken place shortly after a moment aired on the programme’s live stream in which Nathan admitted he would put people up for nomination who he did not think were “genuine”.

Speaking once again to Ali, Nathan was responding to her after she was understood to have said to him: “In my mind, I’m here to play – it’s just a game.”

In response, Nathan is believed to have said: “For me, it’s who is being most genuine and that’s where I’ll nominate from.

“And yes, I’ve got opinions on it.”

Fans have now been left utterly convinced that this conversation between Nathan and Ali would qualify as a rule break.

Hitting out on X – formerly Twitter – one viewer said: “Lmaooo they probably will show the house this conversation bc it’s a rule breaker.”

Another added: “That’s deffo gonna be a rulebreak for them, It’s okay Ali, I forgive you queen.”

A third went on to write: “If Nathan said on livestream last night saying he will nominate the least genuine housemates and then reveals he thinks Daze and Sarah are the least genuine, surely that’s a rule break?”

Before a fourth penned: “YES GET HIM FOR A RULE BREAK BIG BROTHER PLEASE.”

Nathan is among four housemates who are facing potential eviction from the house.

Alongside Dean, Baked Potato and Ryan, Nathan will face the first public vote tomorrow night.