He added: “I met Noddy through the TV show and now ridiculously we’ve become best friends and we go out for dinner every week, which is amazing.”Describing the collaboration with the Slade frontman, who has roots in Walsall, Seals recalled: “The lyrics spoke to me in a time where I needed them and here we are.”We recorded it and I’ve been told there’s a chance we might just get it in the official Jazz and Blues charts, which I’m so excited by.”Slade, the rock band, was formed in Wolverhampton in 1966 and enjoyed enormous success with hits including Mama Weer All Crazee Now and festive favourite Merry Xmas Everybody.The Crewe musician, who has previously played alongside the likes of Jools Holland and Gregory Porter, said the song is “real music”.He added: “It’s rock and roll, it’s jazz, blues, boogie-woogie, swing, it’s great. It’s live, it’s mistakes and all and I’m so proud of it.”
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Cheshire star Tom Seals teams up with Noddy Holder for new song
Three cats rescued by firefighters after flat blaze in Leicester
Three cats were rescued by firefighters following a blaze at a flat in Leicester caused by an electrical fault with a fridge freezer.Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Central and Wigston Fire Stations were called to Saffron Court in Southfields Drive at 15:05 BST on Monday.The service said all people were accounted for and three pet cats were rescued by firefighters with the blaze being extinguished by 16:38.The cause of the fire in the kitchen on the second floor of the property was found to be accidental, it added.
Sex offender serving 18-year sentence dies in Cambridgeshire prison
He was sentenced in 2012 for sex offences including rape and sexual assaultHMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire(Image: Cambridge News)A man convicted of historic sex offences has died in a Cambridgeshire prison. Barry Ford died aged 77 in August 2025 while serving his sentence at HMP Littlehey in Perry, according to a recently published report.Ford was sentenced to 18 years in prison in December 2012 after being found guilty of sex offences. Ford was jailed for six counts of rape and 10 of sexual assault, as reported by the BBC. Some offences were committed with his son, Craig McKellar, who was also convicted.A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed that Ford was born on January 31, 1948 and died on August 29, 2025 at the prison.A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman stated Ford died of a brain condition caused by frailty in old age. The report says that HM Littlhey prison confirmed that Ford had no identified next of kin.A clinical reviewer said the care Ford received at the prison was “equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community”. The reviewer also found that the end of life care was of a “high-standard” and no recommendations were made.An inquest into his death was held on October 8, 2025 where the coroner concluded that Mr Ford died of natural causes.
Smartphone video helping Staffordshire firefighters respond to emergencies > A Little Bit of Stone
Smartphones are increasingly being used to help Staffordshire firefighters assess emergencies before crews arrive at the scene.Stone residents calling Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, along with others across the county, may be asked whether they have a smartphone. Control room operators can then send a link so live video can be shared from the incident.
The latest Fire and Rescue Service Public Performance Meeting, chaired by Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams, heard how the technology is helping crews respond to incidents including fires and missing person searches.
Mr Adams said
“There was a message I picked up recently, someone had called fire and rescue and an early question to them was have you got a smartphone? This individual was thinking ‘what’s going on here, I’m trying to report a fire’.
“Can you explain what is going on with people providing more information to control via the technology they have got in their pocket? I think the individual was confused and a bit angry, then they were almost embarrassed when they realised just what a contribution they were making.”
Glynn Luznyj, who is set to become Staffordshire’s next Chief Fire Officer next month, said the system was a “fantastic example” of technology helping the fire and rescue service during emergencies.
He said
“There is a facility now that our fire control operators can tap into a member of the public who has a smartphone by sending them a link very quickly.
“They can click on the link and video what’s occurring on the ground in real time. That can be relayed to the control centre, to aid with their decision-making so they can see the incident before them, and that can also be relayed to the oncoming crews who are on the way to the incident, that can be so valuable in informing the tactical plan for the commanders and the teams.”
Mr Luznyj said the live video can quickly change how crews prepare for an incident.
He added
“Where there’s been a fire in a home, everybody’s outside the property, the link’s been sent through, control have witnessed somebody realising that a pet is still inside the house that’s on fire and they’ve made the decision to enter the building.
“All of a sudden we’ve got a house that’s on fire with a person reported inside and that dramatically changes the situation for the oncoming crews, who can prepare for that and act accordingly.”Article continues after this message
The meeting also heard how drones are being used more often to support emergency services.
Mr Adams said
“I’m involved with the national police aviation service and we’re seeing drones used a lot more in policing.
“That new technology is still progressing for fire and rescue as well and going into areas safely, which you wouldn’t want firefighters to go into without advance information.”
Mr Luznyj said drones had already shown their value at incidents including building fires and missing person searches.
He said
“I remember first using a drone a decade or so ago, purely for a media interview at the scene of a large wildfire in the county, and we were so impressed with the picture and the views the drone was giving us.
“We knew then what an opportunity drones could present in terms of operational awareness, decision making and thermal imaging. Now I’ve seen real value on a number of occasions on the ground, whether it be a building fire or a missing persons incident, to give you that overview quickly.”
He said Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service had also used drone capability from other fire and rescue services, including an underwater drone in sensitive incidents involving someone submerged in water.
Mr Luznyj added
“It’s a developing picture, one that I can see only enhancing firefighting operations. I think there will be, in very near times, opportunities to have drones committed into buildings, doing a level of firefighting, a level of assessment and reconnaissance which is going to make it safer for our firefighters.
“I’m very much behind exploiting those opportunities and learning from them in the future.”
PSG consider Liverpool and Manchester City target Maghnes Akliouche as Lee Kang-in replacement
Premier League sides are in for AS Monaco forward Maghnes Akliouche (24), but they may yet face competition from Paris Saint-Germain, as per a report from L’Équipe. The European champions view the France international as a potential replacement for Lee Kang-in.Akliouche is expected to leave formative club Monaco this summer. It was reported by L’Équipe over the weekend that Liverpool’s interest in the forward was growing and that they could be tempted to table a €50m bid.AdvertisementManchester City are long-term suitors and their interest could be reignited during the off-season. However, PSG may enter the race. Atletico Madrid showed interest in Lee last summer. PSG warded off that interest, but if the La Liga club return to the table this summer, the South Korea international could leave.In the event of Lee’s departure, a replacement has been lined up – Akliouche. Despite the Frenchman’s contract running until 2028, he is expected to leave the Principality club.GFFN | Luke Entwistle
Man shot dead by armed police after ‘barricading himself’ inside house on leafy British street
A man has been shot dead by armed police after “barricading himself” inside a house on a leafy British street.The man in his 40s barricaded himself in the property whilst making threats with a weapon during an 11-hour stand-off with the police. Officers were called to Aylesbury Road in Bedford shortly after 10.40pm on Monday following reports of vehicles being damaged in the area.When police arrived, they found the man had locked himself inside a nearby property and was making threats.Specialist firearms officers, negotiators and other emergency services were all drafted in as the stand-off stretched through the night and into the following morning, The Sun reports. Bedfordshire Police said sustained attempts were made over a number of hours to engage with the man and bring the incident to a safe resolution, but the situation could not be resolved peacefully.Shortly after 9.30am today, the man presented a weapon and armed officers opened fire.Officers and medical professionals immediately provided advanced first aid at the scene, but the man was pronounced dead shortly before 10.30am.Aylesbury Road in Bedford where the fatal stand-off took place | GOOGLE STREET VIEWHis next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.As well as Bedfordshire Police, crews from East of England Ambulance Service attended, including two critical care teams from Magpas Air Ambulance, alongside Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.Nearby homes were evacuated during the incident, although residents have since been allowed to return and police confirmed there is no wider risk to the public.A neighbour of the man who died, Mark Swales, said his friend had been struggling with the loss of his father and ongoing disputes over parking in the street, according to the BBC. One person took to social media to say they have ‘not seen this many police in one place in Bedford’ | GETTYMr Swales said he called 101 before the incident to alert police that his neighbour needed help.He also said during the standoff he heard the man shout that he had turned the gas on and was threatening to blow the house up before police disconnected the supply.Shocked locals took to social media to describe the scenes unfolding on what is normally a quiet residential street.One resident commented on a local community Facebook post: “A number of shots were fired during the actual capture and shouts for ambulance were almost immediate. “Whatever the official line will be it was a terrible event and probably a very sad one too.”Another wrote: “I could not believe what I was seeing outside my front door at 7.20am.”In line with standard procedure following a police shooting, Bedfordshire Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which has since launched an investigation into the circumstances of the death.A cordon remains in place at the scene while inquiries continue.
The Briefing: Pep hails Guehi, Rayan compared with Bale and more
Our daily round-up of the latest news from clubs and players across the Premier League
Here is your daily briefing for the latest Premier League stories on Tuesday 12 May.
Guehi ‘an unbelievable signing’, says Pep
It is surely no coincidence that Manchester City’s end-of-season charge towards the title has come since Marc Guehi signed from Crystal Palace in January.
Man City are unbeaten in the Premier League since Guehi joined, winning nine and drawing four of their 13 games.
Although the 25-year-old had a moment to forget earlier this month when his backpass gifted Everton a goal in a costly 3-3 draw, Pep Guardiola has hailed Guehi’s overall influence as the centre-back prepares to face his former club Palace on Wednesday.”He is an incredible signing,” the Man City manager said. “He’s focused in every single detail in every game, in his private life, to be a professional. He is an unbelievable signing for this club.
“We are really pleased. He is behaving how we expected in moments, how we turn around immediately. That defines the big players at the big clubs.”
Palace have a significant role to play in the title race, facing second-placed Man City 11 days before hosting league leaders Arsenal on the final day.
If Man City and Arsenal both take maximum points between now and then, only two points would separate them going into the last game.Oliver Glasner’s side could be forgiven for having one eye on their UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano, which comes three days after hosting the Gunners. But Guardiola is confident they will give their all against the Gunners.
“I am sure they will do their best, knowing that they have the final three days later,” Guardiola said.
“They are so professional, the teams. Crystal Palace will play top. We saw Leeds yesterday against Spurs (a 1-1 draw), how even being out of the relegation battle… how they compete.”
De Zerbi hopes Leeds will also frustrate West Ham
Leeds’ battling display on Monday was also noteworthy for Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi.
Despite Leeds now being safe from relegation, they came from behind away from home to frustrate the north Londoners on Monday, with former Spurs defender Joe Rodon epitomising his side’s effort when he made a heroic block to deny Richarlison a crucial winner in the 15th minute of stoppage time.
It leaves Spurs just two points ahead of West Ham United in the fight to avoid the final relegation place – and Leeds visit West Ham on the final day.”In the end, I think we have to fight until the end of the season,” De Zerbi told Sky Sports. “Leeds played a good game. We hope they play like this against West Ham because it is right like this.
“We didn’t play well but fighting relegation is like this, you cannot play all games calm.”
Watch: How the relegation battle CHANGED in Spurs 1-1 LeedsWhite suffers ‘significant’ knee injury
Arsenal hope Ben White will be fit for pre-season after announcing the defender sustained a “significant” knee injury against West Ham on Sunday.White has damaged his medial knee ligament, ruling him out of Arsenal’s final two games as they chase a first Premier League title in 22 years and then prepare for the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.Given the nature of the injury, it looks highly unlikely White will be available for England at the FIFA World Cup. He had been recalled by England manager Thomas Tuchel for the March friendlies – his first involvement with the national team since the Qatar 2022 World Cup.An Arsenal statement said: “Our medical team are now managing Ben’s recovery and rehabilitation programme, with everyone fully focused on supporting the aim of Ben being ready for the start of our pre-season preparations.”
Defoe compares Rayan with Bale
“I’m going to make a big statement. He reminds me of Gareth Bale to be honest – he plays so effortlessly.”
It was the biggest of statements from Jermain Defoe, the former Spurs striker, comparing AFC Bournemouth’s 19-year-old forward Rayan to Premier League great Bale.
Defoe saw Bale’s rise first-hand at Spurs, where the Welshman won the EFL Cup and several Player of the Season awards before moving to Real Madrid and winning the UEFA Champions League five times.
“You get a lot of players, like [Lionel] Messi and [Eden] Hazard, who dribble with it close to their foot, but he (Rayan) knocks it out of his feet and gets onto it,” Defoe said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football (MNF).
“He’s so dynamic, quick, strong. One v one he never turns it down – I love players like that. He comes inside, he’s efficient in front of goal. He’s been amazing. This is a kid that can go to the next level.”
The MNF analysts displayed Rayan’s season shot map. He has scored five goals from 25 shots – a mix of right-foot, left-foot and headers.Rayan, signed from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in January, has scored in his last three Premier League games. Only three teenagers have scored in four successive matches: Robbie Fowler, Nicolas Anelka and Francis Jeffers.
Casemiro compares Fernandes with Modric
Rio Ferdinand picked Casemiro up from his house in a taxi and interviewed the Manchester United midfielder on the way to the club’s Carrington training ground in the latest episode of the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube show.
During the conversation, Casemiro discussed FWA Footballer of the Year Bruno Fernandes and compared his direct style with that of Luka Modric.
Casemiro played alongside midfielder Modric for nine years at Real Madrid, where they won five Champions Leagues and three LaLiga titles together.
“I love Bruno,” Casemiro said. “What I love about Bruno, he plays forward every time. Every time he kills the opposition team.
“I love this because sometimes you lose two or three goals but he looks forward all the time. I love Bruno’s game because of this. Every time, assist, pass, pass, pass, pass forward, pass forward.
“Luka, every time he turns, he plays forward. Every time. Turn, play it forward. You pass to him, he never controls it back.”
Ferdinand added that it reminded him of playing alongside Paul Scholes at Man Utd.
Omens good for Hull City as they target promotion
On Monday, Hull City became the first side to book their place in the Championship playoff final – and history suggests they have a strong chance of winning the match and earning promotion to the Premier League.
The Tigers have reached the final twice before and won both times through stunning long-range strikes.
In 2008 they beat Bristol City 1-0 thanks to Dean Windass’s volley from the edge of the box. They were relegated in their second Premier League season, returned after finishing second in 2012/13 and were relegated again in their second season back.
But they came straight back up via the playoffs, beating Sheffield Wednesday in the 2016 playoff final, again by only a single goal. Mohamed Diame scored the winner from even further out than Windass.
Hull’s story this season is even more remarkable considering they began the campaign under a transfer embargo.
Manager Sergej Jakirovic told the BBC ahead of the semi-final second leg against Millwall that anyone who said they would be this close to the Premier League would have been “crazy”.
Hull will face either Southampton or Middlesbrough in the final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 23 May.
De Montfort University to launch future focused London campus – London Post
De Montfort University (DMU) will launch a future focused London campus this month, as it aims to help businesses meet growing skills demands around AI and sustainability.
DMU London, which delivers an exclusive range of applied business, digital and leadership courses, will host United Nations, business and higher education leaders at a launch event at its new campus in Aldgate East on Thursday, 14 May.
The campus has been designed to link academic study more closely with industry practice, with employers involved in course design and delivery to develop work-ready talent equipped with AI, digital, leadership and sustainability skills.
Students work on live business challenges as part of their studies with the aim of graduating with practical experience alongside academic knowledge, with courses delivered through a block teaching model. The block teaching model focuses on one subject at a time and is taught over two days of timetabled classes to support those balancing study with work or other commitments, as well as students who commute from outside London.
The university has worked with organisations including IBM, Barclays, Deloitte and PwC, alongside startups such as fintech platform Ekko to shape its curriculum and industry placements, with courses including a Global MBA in Responsible Leadership, MSc International Business and Sustainability Management, MSc Project Management with Sustainability, MSc Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence, and MSc Responsible Data Analytics and Bachelors in Management .
Students will take part in DMU’s EDGE skills development programme, which focuses on employability, digital skills, sustainability and enterprise as they complete projects based on real-world challenges.
Each course is focused on reinforcing and growing sustainable practices across industry, drawing on DMU’s position as the UK’s only United Nations Academic Impact Global Hub for Sustainable Cities and Communities, with sustainability embedded across teaching and partnerships in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 11.
Senior leaders from the university and across the higher education sector will attend a launch event to mark the opening of this innovative new campus, alongside representatives from the United Nations, DMU alumni and students, as well as policymakers and industry leaders from technology, sustainability and professional services.
DMU London will also support local communities through a range of collaborative projects and partnerships, alongside developing CPD and executive education opportunities to upskill residents and local professionals.
Prof Katie Normington, Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University, said:
“DMU London has been created to close the gap between what higher education provides and what modern economies require, and we are looking forward to welcoming a host of industry leaders, alumni and students to launch it with us.
“Our aim is to develop graduates who are not only academically strong, but able to apply their skills in real-world contexts from the outset, particularly in areas shaping the future of business such as AI, data and sustainability.
“By working closely with employers and embedding these priorities into our model, we are building a pipeline of talent that can support innovation, productivity and more sustainable growth.”
Sherri Aldis, Director of the UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe, said:
“We will only achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through genuine collaboration between education, industry and communities. Universities have a vital role to play in equipping people not only with knowledge, but with the practical skills, creativity and partnerships needed to tackle the environmental and social challenges facing our world.
“As the only university in the UK to be a United Nations’ Academic Impact Hub Chair for one of the Sustainable Development Goals, De Montfort University has been demonstrating their sincere dedication to sustainability for years. The launch of the new campus takes this commitment even further, with its strong focus on the SDGs, and a model of learning that opens doors to people from a wide range of backgrounds, encouraging the inclusive innovation we need.”
Hannah Bernard, Group Director of Business Banking, Nationwide, added:
“The pace of change across AI, data and sustainability means the way we develop talent has to evolve just as quickly. We need graduates who can apply their knowledge in real-world settings, think critically about the impact of their decisions, and adapt as industries continue to transform.
“The approach DMU London is taking, collaborating closely with industry and putting sustainable thinking right at the centre of its teaching will ensure students gain the practical skills, experience and mindset we need if we’re serious about building a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy.”Related
New DVSA driving rules for learner drivers come into force
From May 12, 2026, learner drivers must book their own driving tests as the DVSA confirms instructors will no longer be permitted to make bookings on their behalfNew driving rules will impact road users from Tuesday, May 12(Image: Joe Morris via Getty Images)Certain motorists will be affected by new driving rule changes coming into force on Britain’s roads from today (May 12). Learner drivers will notice significant updates from today in the second phase of a major overhaul of driving tests.The DVSA has already introduced amendments to the number of changes learners can make to their test booking. Under the previous regulations, learners were permitted to alter details relating to their test up to six times, but this has now been reduced to just twice.From May 12, further changes will be made regarding who can book and manage driving tests, with instructors set to lose this ability. Previously, either the learner driver or the instructor were entitled to book tests. However, under the new rules, only the candidate will be permitted to make a booking.The DVSA previously stated: “From 12 May 2026, you will need to book your car driving test yourself on GOV.UK. Your driving instructor will not be allowed to book it for you. From 12 May 2026, it will be against the law to book a driving test for someone else.”Prior to booking a test, drivers should consult their instructor to confirm they are ready to sit the test, reports the Express. It is also essential to obtain a driving instructor reference number, which is vital to ensure their instructor is available on the chosen date.Beverley Warmington, DVSA’s chief executive, previously said: “We have listened to learners, driving instructors and voices from across the driver training industry on how to make the booking rules fairer. Our priority is to stop learners being exploited by third parties and put them in control of booking their driving test.”Nevertheless, the DVSA emphasised that learner drivers ought to only reserve their test at a centre they actually plan to attend. Ian Edwards, young driver expert at Veygo by Admiral, previously outlined how the May changes would impact road users.Ian said: “From May, learners will be the only ones allowed to book their driving test. If your instructor has handled this for you in the past, you’ll now need to do it yourself through the official DVSA booking service at GOV.UK.”Make sure you’re registered and have your driving licence number to hand before you try to book. Avoid third-party websites charging inflated fees – the standard test fee is £62, and that’s all you should ever pay.”
UK Water Supplier Fined Nearly £1 Million After Hackers Roamed Networks for Almost 2 Years
A UK water supplier has been fined £945,000 after regulators found cybercriminals had access to its systems, exposing sensitive customer data, for nearly two years before they were discovered.The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) announced this week that it had levied the penalty against South Staffordshire Plc and South Staffordshire Water Plc following a 2022 ransomware attack that compromised the personal data of hundreds of thousands of customers.Key takeawaysUK regulators fined South Staffordshire Plc and South Staffordshire Water Plc nearly £1 million after a major cyberattack.
The ICO said attackers were able to linger inside company systems for almost two years before detection.
Exposed data reportedly included names, addresses, contact details, and in some cases bank account information.Attackers reportedly lingered undetected for yearsInvestigators found the attackers had access to parts of the company’s network long before August 2022 when the breach was publicly disclosed. The ICO said the intrusion went unnoticed for nearly two years, raising serious concerns about the organization’s security monitoring and detection capabilities.As reported by The Record, the ransomware gang Cl0p claimed responsibility for the attack and published samples of allegedly stolen data online. At the time, South Staffordshire Water said operational water supply systems were unaffected and drinking water remained safe.However, subsequent investigations revealed that customer data had been accessed and later leaked online.Who was affected Investigators found that, at the time of the attack, South Staffordshire held personal information relating to 750,000 current and 1.1 million former customers—totalling 1.85 million—as well as 2,791 current employees and at least 2,298 former employees. Personal information of 633,887 people stolen in the breach was published on the dark web in August 2022, the ICO said. The compromised data included:Personal details such as full name, physical address, email address, date of birth, gender and telephone number. For employees, HR information including National Insurance numbers. For customers, account information (including username and password for South Staffordshire Water online services) and bank account number and sort code. For a small percentage of customers on the Priority Services Register, information from which disabilities could be inferred.Security failures left customer data exposedThe ICO said the company failed to carry out appropriate security measures to protect personal information, violating UK data protection law. The regulator concluded that inadequate monitoring and cybersecurity controls allowed attackers to stay in internal systems for an extended period.While the ICO has not publicly detailed every technical weakness involved, long-term unauthorized access typically points to gaps in visibility, endpoint monitoring, network segmentation, identity controls, or incident response readiness.The incident is part of a broader pattern of cyberattacks targeting water suppliers and other operators of critical infrastructure. Britain’s drinking water suppliers have suffered several cyberattacks since early 2024, according to regulatory disclosures.Water infrastructure is an attractive target because disruptions could create public panic, operational outages, or even safety risks.Anyone affected by a data breach should consider a monitoring service. Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection alerts you if your data has been compromised or leaked online, identifies the risks you face, and provides guidance on how to protect yourself.You may also want to read:UK Fines 23andMe $3 Million Over 2023 Mega BreachAura data breach exposes 900,000 records after phishing attackBooking.com says breach exposed travelers’ data
