Owen Jones isn’t a fan of our unelected monarchy ― and on Sunday he launched a passionate argument for change.The LBC host and Guardian journalist debated the role of the Queen on his weekend radio programme.And responding to common criticism of the idea for an elected head of state, he revealed why he believes such a position wouldn’t mean Britain gets ‘President Blair’.Watch his argument in the full video, above. type=type=RelatedArticlesblockTitle=MORE TOP STORIES + articlesList=5999932ee4b01f6e801f15c2,59999ba8e4b0a2608a6ccfe9,5999a527e4b0e8cc855e33b8,5995cd64e4b0acc593e61d63 -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

A major UK supermarket may have unintentionally infected thousands of people with a pig virus which causes liver and neurological problems, Public Health England has found.The big chain, which has yet to be officially identified and is referred to as “Supermarket X”, has been implicated in the transmission of Hepatitis E, or HEV by new research.HEV is transmitted by sausages and pork products from Europe, mainly Holland and Germany, the Sunday Times reported. Most infected people present few symptoms but others develop serious illness. UK-bred pork is not affected.The government says of HEV on its website: “Pregnant women and older people, those with weakened immune systems, and people with chronic liver disease can experience more severe infections. These patients can require closer observation in case the infection affects their liver function.”Official estimates place the numbers of Brits infected by HEV from pork products each year at 150,000-200,000.Public Health England commissioned research into the issue in 2014 and it was completed two years later - but the findings were held from publication amid fears over “sensitivity”. It was finally published this summer.It analysed the habits of those infected with a particular strand of HEV - and found Supermarket X’s own-brand raw pork sausages to be a common purchase among them.Bengu Said and Professor Richard Tedder of PHE’s National Infection Service led the research, writing: “The implicated products are pork sausages, which require cooking prior to consumption, and ready-to-eat pre-packed sliced ham.”They added: “Only Supermarket X, especially own brand, was significantly associated with HEV.”When asked why it had chosen not to identify Supermarket X, PHE said: “The association with the supermarket does not infer any blame.”Experts said the problem was one for all retailers and farmers.But Harry Dalton, a gastroenterologist at Exeter University, told the newspaper: “In the past four years the number of HEV cases I see has surged. Three of my patients have died from HEV, all were older men with pre-existing liver damage.” type=type=RelatedArticlesblockTitle=MORE TOP STORIES + articlesList=59999ba8e4b0a2608a6ccfe9,599958bee4b0e8cc855e2946,5999932ee4b01f6e801f15c2,5995cd64e4b0acc593e61d63 -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

Julian Cadman, a seven-year-old dual British-Australian national, was killed in the Barcelona terror attack, Catalan police have confirmed.His family said: “We are so blessed to have had him in our lives and will remember his smiles and hold his memory dear to our hearts.”Julian had been declared missing following Thursday’s van attack, which killed 13 and injured more than 100.Hopes faded for Julian’s wellbeing after his father completed a 22-hour journey from Australia to Spain on Saturday.Andrew Cadman was reportedly taken straight to a police forensic centre, which includes a mortuary, after arriving in Barcelona from Sydney. And false reports suggested the missing boy, born in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, had been found were dismissed by police who said “all the victims and injured have been located”. Julian’s mother Jumarie Cadman remains in hospital with broken limbs following the attack on the famed Las Ramblas walkway.The 14 dead overall, 13 from Barcelona and one from a second attack in Cambrils, and 100 injured, hail from 34 countries including England, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Australia, Canada, France and China and the US.Among those identified has having been killed are Italian Bruno Gulotta, 35, Belgian Elke Vanbockrijck, 44 and Californian Jared Tucker, 42.HuffPost detailed what was known about the victims on Friday.  type=type=RelatedArticlesblockTitle=MORE ON THE BARCELONA ATTACK + articlesList=5997fe87e4b0a2608a6c92c1,59969b66e4b01f6e801dc140,5996f3c9e4b0a2608a6bd713 -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

.@normanlamb says behaviour of people involved in 'low-level disorder' in Cromer is "intolerable" after the seaside town was put on lockdown pic.twitter.com/Iinoa3TpLW— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 20, 2017A seaside town was reportedly forced to go on ‘lockdown’ as bars and pubs closed early amid “low-level disorder”.Several venues in Cromer said they decided not to open on Saturday, with residents describing the town as in “lockdown” on social media.One pub described “a difficult situation” in the resort.But reports that a person had been stabbed were dismissed by Norfolk Constabulary, but the force did increase resources in the town.Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, tweeted: “Very concerned by what I’ve read online tonight. Of course happy to support people in Cromer in any way I can.”Very concerned by what I've read online tonight. Of course happy to support people in Cromer in any way I can. https://t.co/Wu9nmOIaDx— Norman Lamb (@normanlamb) August 19, 2017While the force said: “We have additional resources in Cromer tonight following reports of low-level disorder earlier today.“We are aware licensees of local pubs have taken the decision to close this evening and we will have additional officers on patrol to provide reassurance to the local community.“We are also aware of mentions on social media relating to a stabbing in the town tonight - we can confirm no such incident has been reported to us.”But as of Sunday afternoon, an explanation of the “low-level disorder” had yet to be confirmed. Lamb told Sky News that “anti-social behaviour” was “intolerable” for residents in the town.Cromer Pier said it had closed its Theatre Bar on the advice of police. According to the Press Association, a statement on the venue’s Facebook page said: “On advice from the police the Theatre Bar is closed to the public this evening as are all the other public houses in Cromer.“Apologies for any inconvenience whilst we support our local police in bringing a difficult situation in the town under control.”The Wellington pub tweeted: “We will not be opening our doors tomorrow! Hopefully normal service will resume on Monday!”The Red Lion Hotel also wrote on Twitter: “Please be aware the Red Lion is closing early this evening due to local events in the past 24 hours.” type=type=RelatedArticlesblockTitle=MORE TOP STORIES + articlesList=59993fcce4b0e8cc855e1f4e,59994418e4b0a2608a6cbf89,5995cd64e4b0acc593e61d63,599958bee4b0e8cc855e2946 -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

The vast majority (83%) of British Jews believe the Labour Party is too tolerant of anti-Semitism among its MPs, members and supporters, a poll suggests.This compared with 19% for the Conservatives and 36% for the Liberal Democrats, according to the YouGov survey for Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA).The poll follows criticism of Labour’s response to anti-Semitism in its ranks, although the party committed in its general election manifesto to “build a society and world free from all forms of racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia”.British Jews are also split on how well institutions protect them.According to the survey, 65% believe the Government does not do enough to protect British Jews, while 52% think the Crown Prosecution Service could do more.Sizeable minorities thought the police (41%) and the courts (47%) could do more, while only 39% of British Jews felt confident that anti-Semitic hate crime would be prosecuted.The poll comes after the Community Security Trust, which monitors anti-Semitism in Britain, reported a record number (767) of anti-Semitic hate incidents in the UK in the first six months of 2017.Despite this, the CAA/YouGov survey suggests anti-Semitism, measured by how many respondents agreed with seven anti-Semitic statements, has been in decline over the past three years, dropping to 36% in 2017.Gideon Falter, chairman of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “We now have data that show that in a very British way, fairly and quietly, Britons have been rejecting anti-Semitic prejudice.“British society has shunned a growing worldwide addiction to anti-Semitism and proved that so-called British values are no mere buzzphrase, but are embedded in our national being.“However, our research shows that one in three British Jews has become so fearful of mounting anti-Semitic crime and the failure to excise anti-Semites from politics that they have considered leaving Britain altogether.“Our research clearly shows that British Jews have pointed their fingers at the Crown Prosecution Service and the Labour Party.“If British society can fight anti-Semitism, why are our world-renowned criminal justice system and some of our famous political parties still doing too little?“There is not a moment to lose. Without urgent change, British Jews may start to leave, as has happened elsewhere in Europe.”Former cabinet minister Sir Eric Pickles, of Conservative Friends of Israel, said: “Modern anti-Semitism has been allowed to flourish in the left of British politics, unchallenged by the Labour leadership, this report is a wake-up call.“They cannot continue to be half-hearted in their approach, the time has come to root anti-Semitism out of British life.”A Labour spokesman said: “The Labour Party campaigns against anti-Semitism and condemns all anti-Semitic abuse.“That’s why Jeremy Corbyn set up the Chakrabarti Inquiry into anti-Semitism.“Its recommendations have already led to far-reaching changes to the practices of the Labour Party.“The party has also taken decisive disciplinary action over allegations of anti-Semitism and will continue to do so in the future.”YouGov surveyed 2,025 British Jews between July 19 and August 8.Labour MP John Mann, who chairs the all party parliamentary group against anti-Semitism, said: “We know that British Jews are concerned and we are working to address those concerns.“It is beholden on organisations to not sensationalise anti-Semitism but rather to work to put national frameworks in place to defeat it.“We will continue to work with CST and other mainstream groups towards this goal.” -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

David Davis is urging Brussels to “move swiftly” on Brexit talks ahead of the Government unveiling a raft of papers on the UK’s negotiating goals.The Brexit Secretary will this week set out the Government’s positions on services, goods and the ending of the “direct jurisdiction” of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) – something which has proved a stumbling block in negotiations so far.The papers – coming after similar documents on future customs arrangements and the Irish border question – are designed to ramp up pressure on Brussels to move on to the second stage of talks on securing a UK/EU free trade deal.Reports from the EU this week suggested moving to “phase two” might be delayed until December, with the German elections in September potentially altering the approach of the bloc’s most powerful member.Writing in the Sunday Times, Davis used EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier’s own “clock ticking” warning against him. Davis wrote: “At the start of these negotiations, both sides agreed that the aim was to make progress on four key areas: citizens’ rights, the financial settlement, Northern Ireland and Ireland, and broader separation issues.“It was never the expectation that these would be settled by October, but simply that sufficient progress would have been made. And with the clock ticking, it wouldn’t be in either of our interests to run aspects of the negotiations twice. Both sides need to move swiftly on to discussing our future partnership, and we want that to happen after the European Council in October.“While we are happy to negotiate and make progress on these issues, it is our long-term aim that ultimately many of these separation arrangements will not be necessary. We are seeking an ambitious free trade agreement, which provides for as tariff-free and barrier-free trade as possible. This would negate the need for separation arrangements in a number of areas.” Lib Dem Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake MP said Davis was putting pressure on Brussels over the talks timetable to distract from mounting problems in the UK.He said: “To be now, a couple of months down the line, trying to reopen the issue reeks of desperation at an approaching economic storm and a cabinet who don’t have a clue.“Constant reports of cabinet spats show our government cannot even agree a position between themselves, let alone win concessions from EU negotiating teams in our country’s best interests.”Prime Minister Theresa May made leaving the ECJ one of her Brexit red lines during her Lancaster House speech in January.She said: “We will take back control of our laws and bring an end to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in Britain.“Leaving the European Union will mean that our laws will be made in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.“And those laws will be interpreted by judges not in Luxembourg but in courts across this country.“Because we will not have truly left the European Union if we are not in control of our own laws.”That position was borne out in the Government’s proposals for EU citizens’ rights after Brexit, which confirmed the ECJ would not offer legal protection for those affected.Brussels wants the ECJ to keep its role, and today Davis seemed to water down the UK’s position slightly by saying there must be an “end to the direct jurisdiction” to the court.He wrote: “It is vital that there are clear mechanisms to manage any disputes between the UK and the EU over the interpretation of the agreements we strike, including on trade and citizens’ rights.“While we believe this will likely require a new and unique solution, our paper will examine a number of precedents. There is a common theme with all these examples — none of them involves the direct jurisdiction of the Court of Justice outside the EU.“So, we’re not being dogmatic in our approach but building on existing precedents to find a solution. Ultimately, the key question here is how we fairly consider and solve disputes for both sides.”Want to know what’s really going on with Brexit? Sign up for HuffPost UK’s Brexit Briefing - sent straight to your inbox every Thursday.Meanwhile, Sir Paul Jenkins, who was the Government’s most senior legal official for eight years until 2014, said Britain would have to replicate EU rules and submit to the ECJ “in all but name” if it wants to remove the need for hard borders with Ireland.“If the UK is to be part of something close enough to a customs union or the single market to remove the need for hard borders, it will only work if the rules are identical to the EU’s own internal rules,” Sir Paul told the Observer.“Not only must they be the same but there must be consistent policing of those rules. If Theresa May’s red line means we cannot be tied to the ECJ, the Brexit treaty will need to provide a parallel policing system.“That may be a new court but, in reality, any new court will have to follow what the ECJ says about the EU’s own rules, otherwise the new system won’t work. So, never mind Theresa May’s foolish red line; we will have the ECJ in all but name.” -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

British drivers could face extra checks when renting cars and vans to ensure they are not extremists who are hiring vehicles to carry out terror attacks, the Government said.Ministers are concerned about the authorities’ ability to stop vehicle attacks like those seen in Spain this week and recently in Britain, France and Germany.One option could see rental companies share drivers’ data with the Government so it could be checked against a terror watch list before a vehicle is released for hire.Toby Poston, director of external relations at the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), told the Sunday Telegraph: “The industry is looking at ways to share data with the authorities in as real time as possible so it can be cross-referenced with counter-terrorism watch lists.”A Government spokeswoman confirmed that the Department for Transport is working with the police and the vehicle rental industry to look at tightening up regulations.“The threat from terrorism is changing and so must our response,” she said.“That is why we are reviewing our counter-terrorism strategy and powers and why we have ploughed extra resources into counter-terrorism.“The Department for Transport is also working with the police and the vehicle rental industry to explore what more can be done to prevent the malicious use of hire vehicles.“This includes looking at what more rental companies could do before an individual can hire a vehicle.”The potential for large vehicles to inflict mass casualties was laid bare in horrifying fashion in July last year when a lorry drove through crowds gathered to celebrate Bastille Day in Nice, killing 86 people and injuring scores of others.Then in December 2016, an attacker drove a lorry into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin, killing 12 people.This year in the UK, vehicles have been at the centre of attacks on Westminster, London Bridge and Finsbury Park.The incidents sparked suggestions van rental could be subject to more stringent checks, while officers appealed for vehicle hire and haulage firms with suspicions about rental attempts to come forward.Khuram Butt, the ringleader of the London Bridge terror gang, had attempted to hire a 7.5-tonne lorry hours before the attack.However, his payment method failed so he resorted to “plan B” and rented a white van which ploughed into pedestrians as the perpetrators launched their deadly rampage in June.UK authorities have also been looking closely at physical security measures. type=type=RelatedArticlesblockTitle=Related + articlesList=5997fe87e4b0a2608a6c92c1,59969b66e4b01f6e801dc140,59972eb2e4b01f6e801e75ed,5996a50be4b01f6e801dc798,599698c7e4b0e8cc855cd4f5Earlier this year, police announced plans to step up the use of the National Barrier Asset - a collection of temporary equipment including security fences and gates - to protect crowded events.Scotland Yard reviewed the security of 33 bridges around the capital and a number were fitted with barriers designed for “hostile vehicle mitigation”.Guidance for armed police has also been tweaked.Previously, firearms officers had the option of shooting at a moving vehicle, but this was discouraged as it was felt it could increase the risk to the public.But the guidance has been revised so that firing at a car, van or lorry when it is on the move is an accepted tactic for incidents such as those seen in Nice and Westminster.Containing the threat posed by “low-tech” attack methods such as the use of knives or vehicles is one of the major challenges for security services as they attempt to stop Islamic State-directed or inspired plots. -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

A 10-year-old boy is seriously injured in hospital after being knocked down by a motorcycle in a “horrific” hit-and-run.The child was using a pedestrian crossing in the Drylaw area of Edinburgh on Saturday evening when he was struck by the bike, which then failed to stop.Police Scotland said a number of motorbikes were seen driving dangerously in the area around the same time, and they have stepped up patrols to reassure locals.The crash happened about 6.35pm at the crossing to the east of Drylaw Police Station on Ferry Road, officers said.The boy was then taken by ambulance to the city’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children and the driver fled the scene.Detective Chief Inspector Paul Grainger said: “This is a horrific collision which has left a young boy seriously injured.“The boy was crossing the pedestrian crossing on the green man when he was struck by the motorcycle and knocked to the ground sustaining what are described as serious injuries.“The motorcyclist drove on with no apparent thought for the horrific injuries sustained by the young boy in the collision.“We are carrying out door-to-door and other inquiries into this collision, and also in relation to other reports in the immediate area of incidents of dangerous and reckless driving by motorcyclists around this time.”Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision or the dangerous driving of the other motorcycles to call them.Police are also asking for anyone who has recorded video footage of the incident or its aftermath, or of the motorcycles being driven in an anti-social manner in the north-west of Edinburgh, to contact them.Inspector John Elliot said: “Police Scotland has increased patrols in the Drylaw area in order to provide reassurance to the local community and to ensure there is no repeat of this anti-social behaviour.“These patrols will be visible in the coming days. I would urge anyone who may have any concerns, or information which might help us, to approach any of our patrols in the area where they can speak with the officers themselves.” -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

Donald Trump on Saturday praised protesters in Boston who demonstrated against white nationalism in events mirrored across America in the aftermath of the chaos in Charlottesville.The US President tweeted saying: “I want to applaud the many protesters in Boston who are speaking out against bigotry and hate. Our country will soon come together as one.”Thousands of demonstrators converged on downtown Boston chanting anti-Nazi slogans dwarfing a small group of conservatives who cut short their planned “free speech rally” a week after a gathering of hate groups led to bloodshed in Virginia.Counterprotesters marched through the city to historic Boston Common, where many gathered near a bandstand abandoned early by conservatives who had planned to deliver a series of speeches. Police vans later escorted the conservatives out of the area, and angry counter-protesters scuffled with armed officers trying to maintain order, the Associated Press reported. Members of the Black Lives Matter movement later protested on the Common, where a Confederate flag was burned and protesters pounded on the sides of a police vehicle.Later Saturday afternoon, Boston’s police department tweeted that protesters were throwing bottles, urine and rocks at them and asked people publicly to refrain from doing so.Boston Commissioner William Evans said 27 arrests were made - mostly for disorderly conduct while some were for assaulting police officers. Officials said the rallies drew about 40,000 people.Organisers of the event, which had been billed as a “Free Speech Rally,” had publicly distanced themselves from the neo-Nazis, white supremacists and others who fomented violence in Charlottesville on August 12. Heather Heyer was killed at that Unite the Right rally, and many others were injured, when a car plowed into counter-demonstrators.Opponents feared that white nationalists might show up in Boston anyway, raising the specter of ugly confrontations in the first potentially large and racially charged gathering in a major US city since Charlottesville.One of the planned speakers of the conservative activist rally said the event “fell apart”.I want to applaud the many protestors in Boston who are speaking out against bigotry and hate. Our country will soon come together as one!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2017Congressional candidate Samson Racioppi, who was among several slated to speak, told WCVB-TV that he didn’t realize “how unplanned of an event it was going to be”.Some counter-protesters dressed entirely in black and wore bandannas over their faces. They chanted anti-Nazi and anti-fascism slogans, and waved signs that said: “Make Nazis Afraid Again,” ″Love your neighbor,” ″Resist fascism” and “Hate never made US great.” Others carried a large banner that read: “SMASH WHITE SUPREMACY.”Chris Hood, a free speech rally attendee from Dorchester, said people were unfairly making it seem like the rally was going to be “a white supremacist Klan rally”.“That was never the intention,” he said. “We’ve only come here to promote free speech on college campuses, free speech on social media for conservative, right-wing speakers. And we have no intention of violence.”Rockeem Robinson, a youth counselor from Cambridge, said he joined the counter-protest to “show support for the black community and for all minority communities”.TV cameras showed a group of boisterous counter-protesters on the Common chasing a man with a Trump campaign banner and cap, shouting and swearing at him. But other counter-protesters intervened and helped the man safely over a fence into the area where the conservative rally was to be staged. Black-clad counter-protesters also grabbed an American flag out of an elderly woman’s hands, and she stumbled and fell to the ground.Saturday’s showdown was mostly peaceable, and after demonstrators dispersed, a picnic atmosphere took over with stragglers tossing beach balls, banging on bongo drums and playing reggae music.The Boston Free Speech Coalition, which organized the event, said it has nothing to do with white nationalism or racism and its group is not affiliated with the Charlottesville rally organisers in any way.Rallies in other cities around the country each attracted thousands of people showing their opposition to white supremacist groups.In New Orleans chants of “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA” echoed throughout the French Quarter as thousands of people marched in a peaceful ― but loud ― protest against racism and white supremacy.The demonstrators marched from Congo Square to Jackson Square led by Malcolm Suber, a New Orleans activist and member of the group Take Em Down NOLA, which advocates for the removal of racist symbols and monuments.Suber told HuffPost the rally was organised for two reasons. “This is our solidarity with the people in Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as a notice to our local leaders that we want all statues dedicated to white supremacists taken down.”In addition to removing certain monuments, Take Em Down NOLA is urging local authorities to rename schools and streets dedicated to white supremacists.City officials have yet to respond to the demands protesters made at the rally.“We are proud to carry the banner of freedom and liberation and to carry the banner of striking down these white supremacist symbols,” Suber said.In Atlanta, a diverse crowd marched from the city’s downtown to the home of the late Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Meredith Dubé brought along her two daughters, 2-year-old Willow Dubé and 12-year-old Rai Chin. Dubé is white and her daughters are mixed race. She said it is essential to show children at an early age that love is more powerful than hate.An anti-racism rally was held in Laguna Beach, California, one day before the group America First! planned to hold a demonstration in the same place that’s being billed as an “Electric Vigil for the Victims of Illegals and Refugees”.Mayor Toni Iselman told the crowd that “Laguna Beach doesn’t tolerate diversity, we embrace diversity”.In Dallas, a large crowd attending a rally against white supremacy on Saturday evening called for the city to take down the city’s Confederate statues.“Now is the time to do what is right in the city of Dallas,” said the Rev. Michael W. Waters who addressed the group at City Hall Plaza, a short distance from the city’s Confederate War Memorial. “Now is the time to bring these monuments down.”Police officers on horseback moved in to break up a scuffle between people at the rally and supporters of Confederate monuments.Police officers on horseback monitored the situation, and a police helicopter circulated above. -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

‘Coronation Street’ star Helen Flanagan has gone back to acting school after being savaged by viewers.The Rosie Webster actress returned to the ITV soap earlier this year after quitting in 2012 to start a family and pursue other projects.But the 27-year-old’s return hasn’t gone down too well with some ‘Corrie’ fans, who have labelled her “wooden”.In a bid to brush up on her acting skills, Helen enrolled onto a two-week course at London’s prestigious Royal Academy for Dramatic Art.The actress shared the news on Instagram, posing for a snap outside RADA.She captioned the pic: “Had the most amazing time on my two-week course at RADA. Absolutely loved it.” A post shared by Helen Flanagan (@hjgflanagan) on Aug 18, 2017 at 1:19pm PDTFormer students at the college include acting greats such as Roger Moore, Ralph Fiennes and Diana Rigg.‘Corrie’ fans made their feelings clear about Helen’s acting ability, when she returned to Weatherfield in February.When the #Corrie director tells Helen Flanagan they'd like her to do some acting now: pic.twitter.com/i0ADcyoh4L— Ian Hyland (@HylandIan) February 6, 2017Helen Flanagan back on #Corrie. Glad she's spent her time away perfecting her acting skills. The next Meryl Streep.— Luke Jackson (@baj1983) February 6, 2017Helen Flanagan never took acting classes in her time off then #Corrie— Andy Byrne (@Andy_ASB_Byrne) February 6, 2017Oh dear god please tell me Rosie Webster isn't back in #Corrie permanently?! Worst actress in the history of acting — Nat Brierley (@natdh82) February 7, 2017So Helen Flanagan is playing herself. Her acting is worse than ever #Corrie #Rosie— J (@ThisIs_J) February 6, 2017Helen Flanagan's acting is even worse than before (which is saying something) what on earth possessed them to bring her back ??? #Corrie— Hutcherson Mellark (@mrsjhutch28) February 6, 2017And earlier this year, fans continued to slate her acting when she answered questions on the soap’s Twitter page.One told her: “Get off the TV. Ur ruining @Coronation_St shocking.” Another soap fan added: “They could have employed a chair leg it would have been less wooden.” type=type=RelatedArticlesblockTitle=READ MORE: + articlesList=5891b331e4b064366c57922b,5975b37ee4b09e5f6cd06c6b,597084a6e4b0aa14ea77b072 -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

The father of seven-year-old Julian Cadman is said to have arrived in Barcelona as hopes fade that his British-born son survived the Las Ramblas terror attack.Julian became separated from his mother, Jumarie, who was seriously injured and is being treated in hospital, after a van ploughed into pedestrians on the busy tourist strip on Thursday, killing 13 and injuring more than 130 others. Reports on Saturday suggested the missing boy, born in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, had been found were dismissed by police who said “all the victims and injured have been located”. Authorities have not commented further on his condition. Julian’s father Andrew Cadman was reportedly taken straight to a police forensic centre, which includes a mortuary, after arriving in Barcelona from Sydney. Spain Terror: Andrew Cadman arrives in Barcelona to help find his son Julian. @hughwhitfeld #7News pic.twitter.com/8OgWEFxF56— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) August 19, 2017Andrew Cadman arrived in Barcelone yesterday (Picture: Philip Ide) The father of the seven-year-old British boy... https://t.co/KBUGTjkwEN— 233 Live News (@233LiveNews) August 20, 2017This is so so sad.Julian Cadman's dad at forensic Centre where victims of #LasRamblas attack taken. Thoughts with his family and friends.— Jacquelin Magnay (@jacquelinmagnay) August 19, 2017Australian officials have taken the father of 7yo Julian Cadman to the major justice/forensic centre in Barcelona. @TheTodayShow @9NewsAUS— Seb Costello (@SebCostello9) August 19, 2017The 42-year-old was pictured with a police escort as he made his way to his wife’s bedside. She was in Spain attending a family wedding with their son when the terror attack unfolded. According to newspaper El País, Barcelona’s regional Los Mossos d’Esquadra police force said that Julian Cadman had been on their list of “victims and injured” from the start.In a now deleted Facebook post, Julian’s grandfather, Tony Cadman, wrote: “My grandson, Julian Alessandro Cadman is missing.”The 14 victims, 13 from Barcelona and one from a second attack in Cambrils, hail from 34 countries including England, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Australia, Canada, France and China and the US.Among those identified are Italian Bruno Gulotta, 35, Belgian Elke Vanbockrijck, 44 and Californian Jared Tucker, 42.HuffPost detailed what was known about the victims on Friday. Jared Tucker, 43, United StatesTucker and his wife, Heidi Nunes-Tucker, were on a trip around the world to celebrate their first anniversary. On their stop in Barcelona, they were shopping at a kiosk on the sidewalk in Las Ramblas when Tucker left to go to the restroom, according to ABC News. Soon after, a van rammed into the crowd on the sidewalk.“Next thing I know there’s screaming, yelling,” Nunes-Tucker told NBC News. “I got pushed inside the souvenir kiosk and stayed there hiding while everybody kept running by screaming.”After the crash, Nunes-Tucker said she was disoriented while she tried to find her husband. She later learned he died when she was contacted to identify the body.Tucker, a resident of Lafayette, California, ran his family business resurfacing swimming pools, according to The Washington Post. He met Nunes, a teacher, in 2012, and the couple married last summer. Tucker’s family said it was his first time in Europe.“We love Jared, we love you, and we are grateful that in this time of turmoil in this world we can still band together in a time of need and support each other,” Tucker’s family said in a statement published by the Post.“Pray for Jared and his family, pray for Barcelona, but most importantly pray that we can someday rid ourselves of the hate that takes our loved ones before their time.”Luca Russo, 25, ItalyRusso was one of two Italians confirmed dead by the prime minister of Italy. He and his girlfriend, Marta Scomazzon, were on vacation, walking in Las Ramblas, when the attack began, according to an Italian news agency.Scomazzon reportedly told a relative, “We were walking together, then the van came on top of us.” She survived with injuries.Russo was an engineer who had recently graduated from college and had been working professionally for a year. His boss, Stefano Facchinello, told Italian news agency ANSA that Russo was a “willing, precise and punctual young man. He made an impression on us for his rationality and determination.”One of the last posts on Russo’s Facebook page, which has been turned into a memorial, contained a graphic with a quote in Italian reflecting on death: “We are born without bringing anything, we die without taking away anything. And in the middle, we argue for something.”Bruno Gulotta, 35, ItalyThe vacationing Italian husband and father of two was walking on Las Ramblas with his wife, Martina Sacchi, and their young children when the van raced toward them Thursday. According to Italian media, Gulotta’s wife kneeled down to shield their son, 6, and daughter, 7 months. Gulotta knelt to shield his son too, but was hit.Gulotta was a marketing and sales manager at Tom’s Hardware, which confirmed his death on Facebook. Gulotta’s colleagues said his son was about to start primary school, “knowing that his life and the life of his family will never be the same,” adding that his daughter, Aria, will never know her father.“Rest in peace Bruno,” Gulotta’s colleague’s wrote on the company’s website. “We will remember you forever.” Ian Moore Wilson, CanadaFiona Wilson, a staff sergeant with the Vancouver Police, confirmed Friday that her father died in Barcelona. In a statement published by police, Fiona Wilson described him as a “much-loved husband, father, brother and grandfather.”Ian Moore Wilson, she said, had been married for 53 years and was “compassionate, generous, adventurous, and always game for a lively debate, a good book, exploring new places, and a proper-sized pint.”His daughter added, “In the midst of this tragedy, my dad would want those around him to focus on the extraordinary acts of human kindness that our family has experienced over the past several days, and that is exactly what we intend to do.”Francisco López Rodríguez, 57, SpainThe Granada native, who was living in Barcelona, was with his family in Las Ramblas on Thursday, with his wife, his niece and her son. They were strolling through the port when the van ran onto the sidewalk, according to local media.Relatives said Francisco was the youngest of three brothers in Catalan, according to El País, and they wanted others to know that he was a good person.Elke Vanbockrijck, 44, BelgiumThe Belgian post office clerk was on a family vacation with her two sons, ages 11 and 14, and her husband, a Belgian Army soldier. Vanbockrijck’s husband reportedly tried to push their sons away from harm when the van crashed into the sidewalk, according to Dutch-language newspaper Het Belang Van Limburg. One son was injured, and his wife died at the scene. -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

New ‘Doctor Who’ Jodie Whittaker has revealed her dad was less than impressed about being kept in the dark about her exciting new TV role.The 35-year-old actress was announced as the new Time Lord in July, but was under strict instructions to keep it a secret for three whole months before the big reveal.The ‘Broadchurch’ star did tell two people her news - mum Yvonne and husband Christian - but admits her dad, Adrian, couldn’t be trusted to keep it to himself - which he was “furious” about.Jodie tells The Mirror: “My dad was furious. But good news is difficult to keep secret.“You wanna go ‘Have you heard the news?’ But you don’t know how wildfire that would go.”She added: “Mum kept it from the world. She was trustworthy.”Ouch.In fact, Jodie took the secrecy about her high profile new role so seriously that she even used a codeword – “The Clooney” – when talking to her agent.“It was a full military operation,” she said. “I basically whispered for three months and it was tedious even in my own kitchen.“It is because I knew the idea for the reveal. And I thought if we can get that it will be amazing. I was under the radar the entire time.“I am practiced at it. With Broadchurch there are so many secrets to keep.” Jodie also insists that she wasn’t simply “handed the part on a plate” and went through an extensive audition process.“There was this long process, as it should be,” she explained. “They needed to make sure I was right for the part. “You have to put yourself in a position where you are going to fight for a role like this, because the fans are owed that. You want someone who is fighting for it is such an honour. You can’t just be blasé.”Since Jodie was revealed as the new Doctor, past incarnations of the role have all spoken out in support of her, including David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi.However, past Time Lord Peter Davison caused controversy when he admitted the one thing that concerned him about Jodie’s appointment was that young boys who watch ‘Doctor Who’ could potentially lose a role model with a woman at the helm of the show.He’s since deleted his Twitter account, in response to the backlash he received from fans of the show.Jodie’s first appearance as the Doctor will be in this year’s Christmas special, which will also be Peter Capaldi’s final appearance. type=type=RelatedArticlesblockTitle=READ MORE: + articlesList=59969e25e4b01f6e801dc362,5970c377e4b062ea5f902d45,596f55d4e4b0a03aba866175 -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

An Oxford University employee and a US professor have been charged in Chicago with murdering a 26-year-old hair stylist found with more than 40 stab wounds.Somerville College’s Andrew Warren, 56, and Professor Wyndham Lathem, 42, are accused of killing Trenton Cornell-Duranleau in the academic’s Chicago apartment.Chicago Police announced on Saturday that they had both been charged with first degree murder after they were returned to the city from California, where they handed themselves in following a nationwide manhunt.Their charges came after a post-mortem examination found the victim, who police say was in a personal relationship with Lathem, had methamphetamines in his system.Warren, who says online he lives in Swindon, Wiltshire, was suspended from his job as senior treasury assistant after the body of the man, originally from Corunna, Michigan, was found mutilated on July 27.Microbiologist Lathem, since sacked by Northwestern University, plans to plead not guilty, according to his lawyer Kenneth Wine. -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

As a former ‘Coronation Street’ star and wife of TV presenter Mark Wright, Michelle Keegan is used to reading all sorts of gossip about her life.But the actress has taken the unusual (ahem) step of disproving one particularly bizarre rumour about herself that surfaced last week.The 30-year-old, who shot to fame playing Tina McIntyre in ‘Corrie’, hit the headlines last week after it was claimed she had six toes.The rumours started after Michelle was pictured wearing open-toed sandals as she headed out to lunch in Essex, and because of the angle the photograph was taken at, many fans speculated that she had an extra pinky.But now the star has taken to social media to prove the ridiculous claims are just that, with a photo of her feet, with just five toes present and correct on each foot.Seeing the funny side, she captioned the Instagram snap: “Me and my six toes are off out tonight. Oh wait…”So can everyone calm down now?Unlike many soap stars before her, since quitting ‘Corrie’ in 2014, Michelle has carved out a successful career for herself away from the soap.After starring in the first series of the BBC drama ‘Ordinary Lives’, she went on to play the wife of footballer Bobby Moore in the ITV drama ‘Tina and Bobby’ and as army medic Georgie Lane in the BBC’s ‘Our Girl’.The drama is set to return for a third series after proving a hit with viewers.Michelle took over as the show’s lead in Series 2, replacing Lacey Turner and earned widespread praise for her gritty portrayal of her character, who was kidnapped while on overseas duty. She says: “I’m so happy to be shooting the new series of Our Girl out in Nepal and so very excited to bring more stories of Georgie Lane to life. It’s an amazing experience to be working on such important stories with such an incredible group of people.” type=type=RelatedArticlesblockTitle=READ MORE: + articlesList=58751face4b0a1ff70437d2d,57ce8d0be4b085cf1ecf5f54,57f64431e4b00df730dc3603 -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]

Paul O’Grady has married his ballet dancing partner in a secret London ceremony, it has been revealed.The 62-year-old ‘Blind Date’ host tied the knot with Andre Portasio, 37, in the gardens of the Goring Hotel in the capital earlier this month.The couple, who have been together since 2006, delivered their vows in front of 50 close family and friends, including a number of well-known faces.A close friend told The Sun: “Paul is as happy as he’s ever been to be married to Andre.“They kept the wedding to just their closest family and friends and had a big lunch afterwards to celebrate.”Guests including Ian McKellen, Julian Clary and Michael Cashman witnessed the couple get hitched before enjoying a champagne reception.Paul was introduced to the former English National Ballet dancer by his previous boyfriend and manager Brendan Murphy., who died suddenly from a brain tumour at the age 49, just days before Paul’s 50th birthday.The Lily Savage star revealed his relationship with Andre in his 2012 biography, ‘Still Standing’, writing: “Our relationship just crept up on us. It took us by surprise when we were least expecting it.”This isn’t the TV star’s first marriage. In 1977 he wed Portuguese model Teresa Fernandez after her family pressurised her into walking down the aisle.Speaking about the ‘marriage of convenience’, Paul explained: “Theresa, I call her the lesbian Portuguese barmaid, was lovely. She looked like David Cassidy.“We worked in a club in Westbourne Grove, London, when I was 22. She was from a very strict Catholic family and was always being hassled by them: ‘Why aren’t you getting married?’ So I said: ‘Come on then, we’ll get married’, and we did. “We were married for 27 years. I had no idea we were still married until my manager Brendan said, ‘If anything happened to you, everything would go to your wife’. It’s like a real life Corrie story line.” type=type=RelatedArticlesblockTitle=READ MORE: + articlesList=5950d241e4b0da2c731c9d68,593ec784e4b0b13f2c6ccca5,56ee731ee4b0fbd4fe080b4d -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post UK, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. […]