Former EastEnders star Shaheen Jafargholi, who played Shakil Kazemi on the BBC soap, shocked fans when he took to social media and posed topless to show off his ripped appearance
Shaheen Jafargholi played the part of Shakil Kazemi on EastEnders (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
Former EastEnders star Shaheen Jafargholi has shocked fans with his appearance – almost a decade after he left the BBC soap. The actor, 29, played Shakil Kazemi from 2016 until 2018, with his alter-ego leaving Walford in explosive scenes which saw him stabbed to death as part of a hard-hitting knife storyline.
The former soap star recently took to Instagram to share a series of snaps of himself topless whilst attending a music festival, and, in one photo he posed confidently as he looked to his left and showed off his toned physique.
In another snap, the TV star was seen rolling on the grass as he cuddled his dog. He did not caption the post, but fans were taken aback by his appearance.
One wrote: “Well then [fire emoji],” and another said: “Phoaar!” A third wrote: “You’re looking very nice and slim in this Photo,” and a fourth said: “gorgeous!!”
Following his time on EastEnders, he enjoyed a five-year stint as Marty Kirkby on Casualty and later this year, he will be seen in Sky legal drama War.
When Shaheen left EastEnders, he said: “It’s going to be weird – I’ve been there for two years now and made so many incredible friends and family.
“Like anything all good things come to an end, it’s the nature of these kind of shows, characters come and go I feel so blessed to be able to leave with such an incredible storyline that means so much.”
Shaheen initially found fame when he competed on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 alongside Susan Boyle and Diversity, and has so far released two albums. Shortly after impressing Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan on the ITV1 talent show, and reaching the final, he was selected to perform at Michael Jackson’s funeral.
He sang Who’s Lovin’ You again and, according to the late US talk show host Larry King, the founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy, said “If I were still in the business, I would sign him tomorrow.”
Shaheen previously recalled: “When I was walking I wasn’t thinking about anything other than the way to get there. So I just walked out and did it. When I opened my mouth to sing, I was fine.
“When I sing I go into a totally different world. I feel invincible. I feel nobody can touch me and I can do whatever I want to do. It wasn’t until I’d finished that I realised what I’d just done.”
Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams defeated 6-2, 6-2 by Emiliana Arango in the first round of Cincinnati Open.
Published On 15 Aug 202615 Aug 2026
Venus Williams’s losing streak in singles play has reached 13 matches.
The seven-time major champion was defeated 6-2, 6-2 by Emiliana Arango late on Friday in the first round of the Cincinnati Open.
Recommended Stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
The 46-year-old Williams received a wild-card entry to the WTA 1000 event. She has not won a singles match since July 2025.
Arango, a 25-year-old qualifier from Colombia ranked 95th, needed 1 hour, 5 minutes to defeat Williams on the grandstand court at Lindner Tennis Center.
Williams had her serve broken in the first game of the match and faced an uphill battle the rest of the way. Arango was 4 of 5 on converting break points and won 71 percent of her first-serve points.
Williams was unable to convert on her lone break opportunity and was only 41 percent on first-serve points.
“That kind of eased my nerves a little bit of having maybe a little bit of breathing room. And then I think I just did a good job of staying on it, trying to make her play as much as possible,” Arango said about getting ahead early.
Arango will face No 7 seed and defending Cincinnati champion Iga Swiatek in the second round.
Williams’s last singles victory came last year in Washington, when she defeated Peyton Stearns.
“I think that at all times I was really controlling the point, but unfortunately didn’t finish it the way I wanted to,” said Williams, who is making her 11th appearance in the tournament. “The encouraging part is that I’m controlling the shots, but I have to just get a little more consistent on that last part.”
Williams will remain in Cincinnati to play doubles with her sister, Serena, after they received a wild-card entry. They last played doubles together at the 2022 US Open.
The Williams sisters were slated to play doubles at Wimbledon before an injury to Serena. They will play Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns in the first round.
The doubles portion of the tournament starts on Sunday.
“I’m excited and hope that we can both go into it fresh, on our toes and ready. I’ll be preparing for that,” Venus Williams said.
Venus is also slated to play mixed doubles at the US Open later this month with Alexander Bublik.
Saira Khan has candidly revealed why quit Loose Women as she claimed she was “treated unfairly” and received death threats during her time on the ITV chat show
14:58, 11 Aug 2026Updated 14:58, 11 Aug 2026
Saira Khan has opened up about her exit from Loose Women(Image: ITV)
Saira Khan has revealed why she really left Loose Women after Nadia Sawalha claimed she’s been dropped by ITV.
The former Apprentice star, 56, joined the ITV chat show in 2015 and spent five years debating live on air alongside the likes of Ruth Langsford, Coleen Nolan and Nadia Sawalha but eventually made the tough decision to leave the high-paying TV job after even her children had started to realise she had been treated “unfairly” during the height of her fame.
She said: “When you’re new, it’s really hard because it’s such a clique. You’ve got to prove yourself. But I aligned myself to Coleen and Ruth pretty quickly because I could relate to them. It was a hard decision to leave because I’d done it for a long time. No matter what you give to the media, you don’t get the thanks back, there’s no loyalty and you can be dropped. I saw people giving less but getting more. My kids said, ‘You’re not being treated fair, mum.’
“As a parent, I had to show that you don’t stick around. It doesn’t matter how good the job is. Financially, it was really hard to say goodbye to that.” Saira also claimed that because she was expected to be the one on the panel to talk about tough political subjects, she ended up receiving death threats.
She said: “The problem is, for someone like me, I then get stereotyped. ‘Oh, we’re talking about terrorism, bring Saira in, we’re talking about grooming gangs, bring her in.’ But I couldn’t do any of the fun stuff. So if you keep bringing me out talking about that stuff, that is stereotyping.
“I’d run two marathons, I like to snowboard, I’ve travelled around the world. None of that was ever explored. So people thought I was gobby and opinionated and a one-trick pony.
“I got death threats. Honestly, my husband was really scared for me. I got quite a few death threats and and I just said, ‘Steve, if I get shot the head for something I believe in, that’s my fate. I can’t do anything about that.”
Saira, who is married to Steve Hyde and has Zac, 18, as well as 15-year-old Amara with him, also co-hosted The Martin Lewis Money Show before going on to take part in in Dancing On Ice and Celebrity Big Brother during her her mainstream television career.
Elsewhere in the chat, Saira, who now focuses on managing her skincare business, admitted that she thrilled that neither of her children want to pursue a career in the spotlight after her own tumultuous experience.
Speaking on the Nolans Uncensored podcast, she explained: “Both of my kids have no interest in the media and I think it’s because of what they saw me go through. I’m really happy about that. The industry is changing, for me I’ve always seen it as a business and because it doesn’t see itself as a business, it’s not in such a great place right now.”
Saira’s frank comments come just days after Nadia Sawalha, also a long-serving panellist on Loose Women, spoke out about her lengthy absence from the show and threatened legal action, claiming ITV bullied her out of her job.
The former EastEnders star, who has not been seen on the show since April despite previously appearing up to three times a week for years, thinks she is being targeted for speaking out for Palestinian rights and was worried that police officers could come knocking on her door.
She told The Mirror: “I accept that there is a huge risk I will never work in television again.”
Colleagues have offered Nadia support, but she claimed many are too scared to do so publicly. She said two well-known faces at ITV reacted to an Instagram video she posted on her threat to sue the network.
But Nadia added: “I deleted it because I don’t want these people to be phased out. I feel sad that there is an atmosphere of fear that if they were to be seen to be supporting me, their career could be at risk. I don’t believe for one second the head of daytime wanted me off that show, I feel for her.”
“GAIN again produced solid quarter results this time for this first quarter ended June 30, 2026. We generated adjusted NII of $0.26 per share… and we also ended a total portfolio fair value of $1.3
Seeking Alpha’s Disclaimer:This article was automatically generated by an AI tool based on content available on the Seeking Alpha website, and has not been curated or reviewed by humans. Due to inherent limitations in using AI-based tools, the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of such articles cannot be guaranteed. This article is intended for informational purposes only. Seeking Alpha does not take account of your objectives or your financial situation and does not offer any personalized investment advice. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank.
Emmerdale spoilers for next week on the ITV soap reveal Dr Todd returns, leading to a showdown with Charity Dingle, while Billy’s fate is revealed after the attack
Emmerdale: Spoiler confirms Charity and Todd showdown
On Emmerdale next week, spoilers reveal Charity confronts her abuser, Dr. Todd, at Jacob’s Fold and orders her to leave. However, Dr Todd refuses and attempts to goad Charity who instead demands a confession.
Dr Todd threatens to tell Sarah the truth about Leyla, and as things escalate, Charity brands Todd a rapist, which is overheard by someone. Billy and Dawn plan their escape, as Billy continues to claim Joe attacked him – ahead of Dawn’s reported exit.
Caleb is frustrated when Billy clears Joe’s name with the police until Billy explains it’s to make Joe complacent because he and Dawn plan to flee. Dawn tells Billy that Joe’s stag do is the perfect time to escape.
Kev offers to teach Lewis to ride a bike, but it soon becomes clear he doesn’t know how to ride a bike either. As Kev falls off the bike, Lewis joins his dad on the floor and they bond. Lewis soon drops an announcement.
Later, Ruby catches up with Kev and asks him to rob the delivery for Jimmy’s new haulage contract, but he refuses. Dylan admits to April that he’s struggling, but he’s grateful when Bear offers him advice about counselling.
Hungary’s corporate landscape is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades as businesses that flourished under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban adjust to a new political order led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar. Companies that once benefited from close ties to the previous government are now restructuring their operations, while investors and foreign firms are watching for signs of a more competitive business environment.
The shift follows Magyar’s decisive election victory in April, ending Orban’s 16 year rule and ushering in an administration that has pledged to curb political favoritism, increase transparency in public procurement, and align Hungary more closely with European Union governance standards.
Construction Giants Shift Strategy
One of the clearest signs of the changing business climate comes from Market Építő, one of Hungary’s largest construction firms, which has historically secured major government backed infrastructure projects, including football stadiums.
Chief Executive Sandor Scheer said the company is preparing for a future less dependent on large public contracts.
Stay ahead of the geopolitical week.
MD Briefing delivers expert analysis across five global fronts — the Indo-Pacific, energy, geoeconomics, European security, and the Middle East — every Monday morning. Free.
“We are preparing for a shift where, instead of large scale projects, we will have a higher volume of smaller scale projects, and housing and infrastructure construction will become dominant,” Scheer told Reuters.
The company, which has been linked to Orban ally Istvan Garancsi, generated roughly one quarter of its revenue from public contracts during the previous administration.
End of the Crony Capitalism Model?
For years, Orban’s political allies built powerful business empires through access to state spending, public tenders, and favorable regulations across sectors including construction, banking, telecommunications, and real estate.
Analysts believe companies that relied heavily on government infrastructure spending now face the greatest risks.
Daniel Hegedus, Deputy Director of Berlin’s Institute for European Politics, said construction and road building companies closely tied to Orban’s political network could struggle to survive as contracts become more competitive.
Some firms, analysts warn, may disappear entirely if they fail to adapt to a marketplace where political connections carry less influence.
Government Pushes Transparency Reforms
Prime Minister Magyar has moved quickly to introduce anti corruption legislation designed to satisfy long standing European Union concerns over Hungary’s procurement system.
A 2024 OECD survey found Hungary had an unusually high number of single bidder public procurement contracts, while research by Hungarian anti corruption think tank CRCB concluded there was clear evidence of political favoritism in state tenders during the Orban era.
The reforms are also intended to unlock billions of euros in suspended European Union funding that has been tied to improvements in governance and transparency.
Markets React to Political Transition
Investors have already responded to the changing political landscape.
Several companies widely viewed as benefiting from their proximity to the previous government have experienced significant share price declines since Magyar’s election.
Among those affected are construction and energy group Opus Global, real estate developer Appeninn, telecommunications company 4iG, and MBH Bank.
The declines contrast with a broader rally in Hungary’s stock market, reflecting optimism that a more transparent business environment could attract greater international investment.
Companies Defend Their Business Models
Despite the uncertainty, businesses linked to the previous administration reject suggestions that their success depended solely on political connections.
Market Építő says its financial strength and diversified operations provide long term stability regardless of political change.
Road construction giant Duna Aszfalt, whose owner became one of Hungary’s wealthiest businessmen during Orban’s tenure, also expressed confidence in its future.
The company stated that it had successfully competed against international firms even before Hungary’s democratic transition in 1990 and remained prepared for a more competitive marketplace.
Meanwhile, telecommunications firm 4iG denied benefiting from political favoritism, while MBH Bank said its procurement practices fully complied with both Hungarian and European Union regulations.
Review of Previous Government Contracts
The Magyar administration has also begun reviewing spending commitments approved under the previous government.
One early decision was to suspend an extension of a southern Hungarian highway and request that Duna Aszfalt repay funds received before the election for the project.
The move signals a broader willingness to scrutinize public contracts awarded during Orban’s administration and reassess government spending priorities.
Foreign Investors Could Benefit
Political analysts believe the reforms could reshape Hungary’s investment climate by creating more opportunities for international firms that previously struggled to compete with politically connected domestic companies.
Greater transparency in public procurement, combined with stronger oversight, may improve investor confidence and encourage new foreign investment into sectors previously dominated by companies with close government ties.
However, the transition is also expected to produce significant disruption as businesses adapt to a competitive environment driven more by market forces than political relationships.
What Comes Next
Hungary is entering a new phase in which political change is reshaping corporate power as much as government itself. Companies built around privileged access to state contracts now face growing pressure to compete in a more transparent marketplace, while new reforms seek to restore confidence among investors and European partners.
Whether these changes produce lasting economic modernization or simply redistribute political influence will depend on the implementation of Magyar’s reform agenda. For Hungary’s business elite, however, the era of relying on political proximity for commercial success appears to be drawing to a close.
Following the news of her surprise exit, BBC Breakfast star Naga Munchetty was missing from her usual presenting slot on Saturday morning.
Naga announced she was leaving BBC Breakfast after 17 years (Image: BBC)
BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty was noticeably absent during the latest episode of the popular news show.
The 51-year-old normally co-hosts the morning programme alongside Charlie Stayt from Thursday to Saturday and appeared on the show on Friday (July 31st). But on August 1st, BBC Breakfast underwent a presenter shake-up as Naga was replaced by journalist Emma Vardy.
The BBC did not provide any updates or comments regarding Naga’s absence from the famous red sofa. But her leave comes after it was announced that Naga is set to step down from BBC Breakfast after 17 years to take on a new role as co-presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live’s breakfast programme.
Her move follows the announcement by current hosts Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, who revealed during Tuesday’s broadcast that they will leave the breakfast show in December.
Munchetty, who has hosted Radio 5 Live’s weekday mid-morning programme since 2021, will join the station’s flagship breakfast slot alongside a new co-host, who is yet to be appointed, the BBC confirmed.
Earlier this week, Naga shared the news on her Instagram, reposting the statement from the official BBC 5 Live account and the clip of Rachel and Rick announcing their departure.
The caption read: “5 Live Breakfast hosts, Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, announced this morning that they will step down in December.
“Naga Munchetty will become the new co-presenter of 5 Live Breakfast, taking the helm of the station’s flagship morning programme five days a week from January 2027.
“As part of the changes, Rachel Burden will move to present the weekday mid-morning programme, Monday to Wednesday 11-2pm, following 15 years on the station’s Breakfast show.”
Opening up on her new role, Naga said in a statement: “I’m thrilled to be joining 5 Live Breakfast in January. Live news, great conversations and connecting with audiences are what I love most about broadcasting, and 5 Live does all of that brilliantly.
“It has been a privilege to be part of the BBC Breakfast TV team for the past 17 years, working alongside an incredibly talented and hard-working group of journalists who are not only outstanding colleagues but also great friends.
“Presenting a flagship programme on 5 Live is an opportunity that was simply too good to pass up. It will take a huge amount of work and require 100% of my focus and energy, and I’m really looking forward to throwing myself into the role.”
The star also mentioned that she will continue to present both BBC Breakfast and Radio 5 Live from now until January.
BBC Breakfast airs Mondays-Sundays from 6am on BBC One.
Cassie Plummer could be about to face a “really dark” exit from Coronation Street after worrying scenes aired on Friday night’s episode of the long-running soap
20:41, 31 Jul 2026Updated 20:41, 31 Jul 2026
Coronation Street’s Cassie could be about to face a ‘really dark’ exit from the cobbles (Image: ITV/Coronation Street)
Cassie Plummer could be about to face a “really dark” exit from Coronation Street. The former drug addict, played by Claire Sweeney, was introduced when bosses of the long-running soap decided to completely rewrite history and install her as the long-lost biological mum of Tyrone Dobbs, and initially came to blows with Tracy Barlow when she set about poisoning Ken for financial gain.
With all that seemingly swept under the carpet, now Tracy has sparked a romance with Ross, who is Tyrone’s long-lost biological dad. Cassie was underage when Tyrone was conceived, and it emerged earlier this week that Ross had paid her for the sex they had all those years ago.
When it looked as though Ross was sticking around having got a job at the local prison, Cassie tried to get him out of their lives once and for all by crushing painkillers up into his flask that he was about to take to his new place of employment, hoping that he would fail the drugs test and then clear off out of Weatherfield. It backfired when Ross figured out what Cassie had done so, in a cruel twist, he poisoned Tracy with the drink and now she is in hospital. But because Cassie has got form, Tracy has now got completely the wrong end of the stick.
Sitting up in her hospital bed on Friday night’s episode of the ITV soap, she raged: “If I have been spiked, I know who I’m pointing my finger at. How else have I got this much codeine in my system if it’s not from the local poisoner, who also happens to hate my guts?”
Steve told his ex-wife to calm down, but she shot back: “Well, I’m trying to do that, Steve, but it’s quite difficult when your girlfriend tried to kill me. She’s jealous of me because I’ve got Ross and she’s stuck with a useless lump like you!”
The taxi driver, who has been played by Simon Gregson since 1989, was convinced that Tracy (Kate Ford) was wrong, but then decided to do some investigating, and found the painkillers in Cassie’s cardigan pocket.
When he confronted her, she explained: “It wasn’t meant for Tracy. It was meant for Ross. And it was just a couple of tablets so he’d fail his pee test at his prison job and he wouldn’t be hanging around here any more.” Tyrone then knocked at the door, having been informed of the situation by Steve, and Cassie tried once again to explain but they were having none of it.
Steve said: ” I don’t get it. First of all Ken, now Tracy. I mean, are you not gonna be happy till you’ve killed the lot of us?” Tyrone then yelled that it was “a lot more” than the couple of tablets Cassie claimed she had tried to spike Ross with as Cassie cried: ” I put it in his travel cup, which I got out of his bag, so how did Tracy end up with it, eh?
“Ty, I know it was a stupid idea, but I was desperate. You’ve no idea what he’s like!” Ross then turned up at the house, having been playing the dutiful long-lost granddad and took Ruby and Hope for a game of football. Cassie warned them that he was taking them all for a fool but no one would listen and Tyrone told her to get out of the house.
Tracy headed across the road to number one, where Steve answered the door and told her as he struggled to hold back the tears: ” Believe me. If you only knew how much I wanted this to work after all the disappointment I’ve had over the last few years.”
Cassie tried to plead with Steve, but he decided to split up with her there and then. He shut the door in Cassie’s face, and she burst into tears as she wept: “But Steve, I love you!”
Reacting to the emotional scenes, one viewer wrote on X: “Tyrone shut the f**k up you mug, Cassie is better than Ross. Honestly hope Tyrone finds out the hard way his dad is a creep,” whilst another said: “Cassie shouldn’t have done it, I get why she did though. The reality was, Ross knew and deliberately spiked Tracey to frame her, just another form of manipulation.”
A third wrote: “I don’t know how Cassie is gonna get out of this one,” and a fourth simply said: “Oh, Cassie!” and added a face-palm emoji. Another wrote: “Cassie thinks she is smart, however, Ross seems to always be one step ahead. This storyline is going to get really dark #Corrie.”
In real life, actress Claire Sweeney, who found fame when she starred on Brookside, chose to leave so she could take on the role of Miss Hannigan in the current UK tour of the musical Annie, and replaced former Strictly Come Dancing star La Voix in the show in early July.
Claire has starred previously starred in other musicals like 9 to 5, Tell Me On A Sunday and Chicago. But she recently recently explained that she loved her time at Corrie but always wanted to take on the part of the villainous orphanage proprietress, who has previously been played on stage by the likes of her soap co-star Jodie Prenger, as well as Hi-de-Hi icon Su Pollard, the late Paul O’Grady and British acting legend Sheila Hancock.
She told The Mirror: “You’re part of a family at Coronation Street, you feel safe and protected and leaving is like stepping out into the big, wide world again. It feels like I’ve broken up with a boyfriend I’m still in love with. I’ve loved Corrie and leaving bears no reflection on the job, the people and the work.
“It was just that my phone pinged and it was the producer of Annie saying ‘right, do you want to do Miss Hannigan.’ I’d been hounding him for years for this part and I just thought – ‘if I don’t do it now, it might never come again.’ But I think it’s the hardest job I’ve ever had to leave and my exit is very sad; I had a little weep over my leaving scenes. I got quite emotional.”
CEO Cristiano Amon framed the quarter around diversification and Investor Day targets: “We also updated our fiscal 2029 financial targets, which now include more than $24 billion in revenue across automotive and
Seeking Alpha’s Disclaimer:This article was automatically generated by an AI tool based on content available on the Seeking Alpha website, and has not been curated or reviewed by humans. Due to inherent limitations in using AI-based tools, the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of such articles cannot be guaranteed. This article is intended for informational purposes only. Seeking Alpha does not take account of your objectives or your financial situation and does not offer any personalized investment advice. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank.
Coronation Street’s Jodie Ramsey has finally confessed to Shona that she attacked Sarah Platt on the night of Theo’s murder and now fans think this could finally spell the end for the controversial character
21:40, 26 Jul 2026Updated 21:40, 26 Jul 2026
Fans think Jodie Ramsey could be about to leave Coronation Street
Jodie Ramsey confessed to her sister Shona that she attacked Sarah Platt on Sunday night’s episode of Coronation Street. Earlier this year, her long-lost sister, who had never been mentioned before, turned up in the programme’s crossover with Emmerdale, arriving tied up in the back of a van.
Ever since her arrival, Jodie (Olivia Frances Brown), who was first seen tied up in the back of a van, has been shrouded in mystery, although it is quite clear that there is something sinister about her. In the four months since she made her debut, Jodie has been stealing various items that belong to neighbours – the most recent of which was a gun – and also tried to pass herself off as Shona at the hospital.
Viewers have known for months that Jodie attacked Sarah on that fateful night in April, just moments after the factory supervisor, who has been played by Tina O’Brien since 1999, killed the abusive Theo Silverton by hitting him over the head with a pole.
Whilst David, Shona’s husband, was visiting his sister in prison, she told him that she believed Jodie had hit her over the head to stop her seeing what was in her box.
Back at number eight, Shona had dragged a confession out of Jodie and raged at her: “I’m starting to doubt whether or not you were even kidnapped. OK, all right, so you hit her.
“Then what? Well, I mean, you know, you see her lying on the ground, you realise you’ve just attacked David’s sister. Did you check her pulse? Did you do mouth-to-mouth?”
Jodie begged for forgiveness, and then twisted things around as she said: “You know, when you think about it… ..by not saying owt, well, I was actually protecting Sarah,” to which Shona laughed in disbelief. At her wits’ end, Shona told Jodie to get out of the house, telling her she didn’t care where she ended up.
Later on, Shona was clearly worried when her sister hadn’t turned back up and was constantly ringing her. As David’s daughter Lily looked around the house to try to find her confiscated gaming console, she stumbled upon Jodie’s trinket box and discovered the gun that her mysterious long-lost step aunty had stolen and stashed away some weeks ago.
Reacting to the explosive scenes, fans predicted this could finally spell the end of Jodie now that Shona is edging ever closer to realising something is clearly not right.
One fan wrote on X: “Really hope Jodie gets put away soon…not sure why she’s there, and what happened to her dad?”
Another said: “Hoping it’s the end of Jodie soon,” but a third remained unconvinced this was all leading to Jodie’s exit as theyd ranted: “Soap is unbelievable so Shona has found out Jodie has attacked Sarah and you watch in a few weeks they will be friends again and living together.
“Imagine that happening in real life would be completely different. Before people say it’s not real #Corrie was meant to portray life!”
Love Island stars Aidan and Priya have split up in emotional scenes that aired just days before the final and now fans are “genuinely worried” for one contestant in particular
21:58, 24 Jul 2026Updated 22:11, 24 Jul 2026
Love Island stars Aidan and Priya split up in emotional scenes that aired just before they were voted off (Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Love Island stars Aidan and Priya have split up in emotional scenes just before they were dumped from the villa. The couple had been going strong on the ITV2 reality dating show, but things went awry when Aidan made a comment about his significant other, claiming that she “pounced” on him when they were in bed, and things have not really been the same since.
On Friday night’s episode of the reality show, the pair had the ultimate conversation, which viewers will know came just days after Aidan told Priya he was unsure of just how he felt about the girl who was meant to be his significant other.
Delivering the decision to break up, he told Priya: “It’s deep, it’s feelings. Maybe I’m really overthinking it, Priya. Maybe I’m really overthinking it. I’m gonna do not what I wanna do to not ruin our friendship. Let’s leave it.”
Priya then told the girls in the makeup room that they hard decided to part ways, and viewers instantly flooded social media. One fan wrote on X: “Sorry was Priya and Aidan’s friendship even that good to begin with?
Another said: “For the sake of Priya’s mental health, I hope she doesn’t open social media after the show & the wellness team helps her. I’m genuinely worried”A third wrote: “Why is Priya acting as if she’s the one that ended things with Aidan LMAOOOO”
Just moments later, it was revealed that Priya and Aidan had been voted out by the public anyway after fans decided they were the least-compatible couple on screen. Aidan was on the verge of tears as he said his goodbyes to the boys.
He told them: “The relationships, the friendships I have built in here have been incredible. It’s emotional but I feel really grateful to have been here. All you boys have helped be grow, and helped me change as a man, even though I haven’t found love.”
Priya was then quick to speak to the girls and describe them as a “sisterhood” as she thanked them for everything they had done for her.
Following the emotional exit, Priya spoke out about her time in the villa and seemed to only have positive things to say about her experience.
She said: “It feels surreal. I’ve had the best time ever. I’ve learned a lot, made mistakes, but also met the most amazing people ever. I feel very grateful for the experience.I’m really excited to catch up with my friends and family.
“If I could describe the experience in one word, I’d say humbling. Extraordinarily humbling. I’m going to remain strong and just take everything in my stride.”
When asked what it was like to leave specifically, Priya said: “It was actually really positive. We had a really nice ending. We had an amazing dinner, dressed to the nines, and left together.
“I believe that we have a genuine love for each other, whether that be platonic or romantic. I actually wouldn’t change the end to my journey in the slightest.”
Love Island continues Sunday night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
Fans of the beloved medical sitcom will be seeing some characters leaving
Donald Faison and Zach Braff in the new Scrubs revival series (Image: GETTY)
The Scrubs reboot is returning for another outing but there’s been a cast shakeup.
The forthcoming Season 11 of Scrubs, which marks the second outing for the revival series, is bidding farewell to two cast members.
Joel Kim Booster, who plays Dr Park, and X Mayo, who starred as Charge Nurse Raymond won’t be returning, Deadline reported.
Instead, The O.C. star Rachel Bilson will be getting more screen time as Rachel, along with original Scrubs cast member Neil Flynn as The Janitor.
Additionally, Scrubs newcomer Ava Bunn has been promoted to a series regular as intern Sam Tosh.
Scrubs’ beloved trio of John ‘JD’ Dorian (played by Zach Braff), Christopher ‘Turk’ Turk (Donald Faison) and Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke) will be again leading the series.
HBO’s Rooster star John C. McGinley will be reprising his iconic role as Dr Perry Cox and Judy Reyes returns as Carla Espinosa while also working on ABC’s High Potential.
Meanwhile, the cast playing the newbie interns will be back in the frame, including Jacob Dudman as Asher Green, David Gridley as Blake Lewis, Layla Mohammadi as Amara Hadi, and Amanda Morrow as Dashana Trainor.
ABC renewed the comedy drama not long after the first season of the reboot finished airing in April this year.
The Scrubs revival focuses on JD helping to train up a new group of interns and learning lessons along the way.
The new series holds a 8.3/10 rating on IMDB and has been praised by many Scrubs fans, who feared that the revival wouldn’t match up to the original series and follow a similar path to the disastrous Season 9 which was the last outing before the show got cancelled.
Many have praised the new series on IMDb, with one person posting in their 10/10 review: “I didn’t expect this season to be half as decent as the old seasons, yet, I’m shocked at how well they’ve pulled this off.”
A second top rated review noted: “There are not many shows that were amazing in the original run, then come back after more than a decade with the same magic but Scrubs has pulled it off.”
Get Disney+ for £5.99
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
A Disney+ subscribtion now starts at £5.99 per month and provides access to hit series like Rivals, Only Murders in the Building and The Bear, plus countless titles from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and more.
A third echoed similar sentiments in their top-tier review: “This reboot has everything you wanted and everything you didn’t know you needed. They captured what we loved about the original cast while introducing new characters in a way that feels natural, not like they’re trying to recreate J. D. and Turk.”
Troy Jackson, a former Maine lawmaker and fifth-generation logger from the North Maine Woods, has emerged as the likely new replacement for the state’s Democratic Senate nominee after former candidate Graham Platner quit the high-stakes race less than two weeks ago.
Platner’s departure came after a sexual assault allegation that he denied but forced his exit anyway. It sparked a wave of potential candidates eager to prove to Mainers that they could take on longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
But by Sunday, the field had largely been cleared after Jackson supporters spent the weekend securing hundreds of delegates who promised to back him at the upcoming state convention.
Under a never-before-used system to replace Platner, delegates will vote Saturday in Bangor on a new Senate nominee. Out of the 601 delegates who will gather this weekend, Jackson’s campaign says it has 481 delegates committed to supporting him.
Top opponents — including Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Nirav Shah, former director of Maine’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention — have since dropped out, and Jackson announced Monday that he was focusing his attention on ousting Collins.
“I’m grateful to Democrats across Maine for putting their faith in me and in what we’re fighting for,” Jackson said in a statement.
“This didn’t happen because of one person,” he added. “It happened because hundreds of volunteers put in the hours, knocked on doors, made phone calls, and believed we could build something bigger than ourselves.”
Yet securing the nomination is only just the beginning of challenges facing Jackson. There’s little more than 100 days until the general election, meaning Jackson faces an uphill battle raising campaign funds when Collins already has millions. Jackson also must implement a statewide campaign network and woo over the state’s large independent base.
As former state Senate president, Jackson may be more politically vetted than Platner was running as a first-time candidate, but the logger’s backing of progressive policies will leave him open to plenty of attacks by Republicans, said Nicholas Jacobs, a political scientist at Colby College in Maine.
“The guy does have some pretty interesting positions,” Jacobs said. “Positions that are pretty far to the left of the median voter.”
Jackson supports ‘Medicare for All’ and eliminating ICE
Like Platner, Jackson has said he wants to “get rid of” Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has become top of mind for many Mainers after an ICE officer fatally shot a driver last week. Democrats have rushed to connect Collins to the embattled federal agency, while Jackson has reiterated his support of dissolving ICE altogether.
Jackson has also called for “Medicare for All,” which would replace job-based and individual private health insurance with a government-run plan that guarantees coverage for all with no premiums, no deductibles and only minimal copays for certain services.
Republicans were already criticizing Jackson as a “socialist” Monday.
“This entire process is just as bad as Kamala’s rigged coronation,” said Republican National Committee spokesperson Kristen Cianci, nodding to former President Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential race in July 2024, leaving Vice President Kamala Harris to head up the Democratic ticket and ultimately lose to Republican Donald Trump.
“Maine voters have had their voices stolen by party insiders,” Cianci added.
Jackson first ran for office as a Republican
However, unlike the scrutiny Platner faced from a series of controversies, Jackson’s background coming from “old Maine” and his decades of working in the logging industry will help him, Jacobs said.
“He’s the real deal,” Jacobs said.
In 1998, Jackson helped lead a weeklong blockade along the Quebec border in an effort to protest the hiring of Canadian loggers who were coming into Maine and driving down pay rates. The standoff ended with Jackson being escorted away by police, but resulted in Jackson fighting for better logger and wood hauler protections as a state lawmaker.
Jackson initially ran as a Republican in 2000 when he sought a seat inside Maine’s House of Representatives. He lost, but won two years later when he ran as an independent. He switched to the Democratic Party in 2004, and eventually became the Maine Senate president before leaving the statehouse in 2024.
He came in third while running for governor in this year’s Democratic primary election, but had the backing of Platner, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Our Revolution, the political organization founded by Sanders.
Democrats must net four Senate seats to gain control of the 100-member chamber, and party leaders viewed Maine as a crucial piece of the puzzle, along with Alaska, Ohio and North Carolina.
The Crown Prosecution Service sees first-hand the impact that domestic abuse has on victims.
It says that of every five cases the police refers to it, four result in charges being brought.
Olivia Rose, the CPS’s National Stalking Lead, says it does not just see physical abuse. There is coercive and controlling abuse too.
“It’s crucial for victims to spot the signs early,” Rose said. “What our prosecutors see can include monitoring of victims’ phones and social media, often inundating them with dozens of messages.
“There’s also emotional blackmail, such as threatening to kill themselves if their partner leaves.
“It’s incredibly important that we get the message out to say that behaviour like this is not just unacceptable: it’s illegal.”
The CPS, the government department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases, say it works closely with the police and women’s charities to ensure that action is taken to stop such behaviour and to help victims to get away.
It says it needs help from communities too. And it is urging people to look out for friends, family and neighbours who could be vulnerable during the World Cup.
“If you can step in to help, you could be making a life-changing difference,” Rose said.
She also wants to get the message to victims that they will be supported if they speak out.
“We understand how difficult it can be to report domestic abuse,” she added. “But if you come forward, you will be taken seriously, and we will bring offenders to justice.
“The World Cup should bring communities together, and it should never be an excuse to fuel abusive behaviour.”
Anyone experiencing domestic abuse who is in immediate danger should always call 999. Victims can also report abuse to the police on 101.
Confidential support services are available. Anyone affected can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 in England, or the Live Fear Free helpline on 0808 80 10 800 in Wales.
EXCLUSIVE: Love Island star weighed in on Ellie Chadwick’s dramatic departure at ITV’s reality event in London today.
20:36, 17 Jul 2026Updated 20:43, 17 Jul 2026
Love Island stars’ heartbreak on Ellie’s exit saying ‘I wish she knew how loved she was’
Love Island stars have been having their say on the dramatic moment Ellie Chadwick made a shock exit from the villa.
Charleen Murphy, 27, found fame when she joined the cast of this year’s edition of the hit ITV2 dating show but was dumped from the villa after 30 days on screen. Meanwhile, Ellie was enjoying a blossoming romance with Finley Maddock but it all started to go wrong when he fell for Elicia, bombshell who entered the villa.
In shock scenes that aired on Thursday night, Fin was voted out of the villa by his co-stars and Ellie, in floods of tears, decided to leave as well, claiming that she couldn’t see herself finding love with anyone else.
Speaking about the dramatic moment, Charleen exclusively told The Mirror: “Her journey was definitely with him and it made sense to finish it with him but it was sad to see her go.”
Meanwhile, Lola Deal, who recently departed the island with Sean Fitzgerald, was asked if she was shocked by the sudden exit and told us: “Not if Fin was leaving. She really, really likes Fin, and it was always a thing that if he was going, she was going. So as soon as he was voted out, I think we knew she was going.”
Asked if could’ve told Ellie anything or given any advice, Sean said: “I would’ve told her to probably just weigh up how much you were gonna take of him switching what he was gonna be doing. He does really like her.
“They talked about their future together and everything, and she’s probably a bit further along with how much she likes him. She’s had a longer journey, she’s gone through all the other relationships she’s had. When he says he owes it to himself to get to know other people but he does really like her.”
Former Islander and current Love Island: The Debrief host Shakira Khan said: “I wasn’t surprised she left, i just wish she knew how loved she was on the outside and how supported she was.”
When Fin was voted out by his fellow contestants, Ellie simply said: “It’s fine. It’s done.” But she then whispered: “I can’t do it. I’m going,” and promptly burst into tears.
Ellie then insisted that there was no one else who would enter the villa who would make her as happy as Fin had and begged her co-stars to stop arguing over their decision.
She said: “Who is gonna walk through these doors and I’m gonna have a connection in two weeks like I did with you? F*****g leave it, stop arguing.
“I’m going. You’ve done what you had to do so I’m going so please don’t f***g argue with each other.”
She then reassured Lorenzo that she had “made peace” with her decision and was looking forward to seeing her family. Reacting to the news, viewers flooded social media with their opinions on all the action that had just exploded across their screens.
One wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Why would Ellie do this for a boy? She could have recoupled and still win. Everyone loves her over here. Why would you do this for fin?”
Another said: “They know Finley was using Ellie as a free ticket to the final. That was the ideal outcome tbh,” and a third wrote: “To be honest, if Ellie wants to leave, they should let her go and stop trying to make her stay. Crying over a guy who found you boring and moved on the way he did with Elicia?? The show isn’t about her.”
Betsy in Coronation Street learned more about her recovery during Thursday’s episode of the ITV soap after a stroke as a result of non-fatal strangulation
19:08, 16 Jul 2026Updated 19:12, 16 Jul 2026
Betsy in Coronation Street learned more about her recovery during Thursday’s episode(Image: ITV)
Spoilers have shared a glimpse of what happens to Betsy in Coronation Street after her stroke ordeal this week.
Initially, no one knew what happened after Betsy, played by actress Sydney Martin, was was rushed to hospital after being found unconscious at home. As doctors confirmed she appeared to have suffered a stroke, there was horror for her family as she had a second stroke.
Doctors explained in the fallout that Betsy had suffered aphasia, a language disorder, as well as paralysis on her right side. Betsy was shown struggling to speak, while also struggling to find the right words to explain what had happened to her.
Eventually, Betsy’s family and the doctor uncovered that Betsy’s strokes were the result of artery damage in her neck and a temporary loss of circulation, as a result of strangulation during sex. Betsy explained that she had consented, and both she and her partner Dylan Wilson believed only minimal pressure was applied.
The storyline is exploring the dangers of non-fatal strangulation, while also raising awareness of the effects of a stroke. In the latest episode we saw Betsy continuing to struggle with her life-changing diagnosis.
The doctor visited her and told her that in terms of her muscle weakness, on the right side of her body, there’s a good chance she will recover. The doctor said that with language and speech therapy, she could make a “good” recovery.
Lisa was on the warpath, especially when she heard Dylan and his dad Sean joking around in the café. She’d vowed to go to the police and report Dylan, for strangling Betsy during sex.
Betsy had begged her mum not to report Dylan, not blaming him for what had happened to her. Lisa then exposed Dylan to everyone in the café, claiming he had assaulted Betsy during sex, causing her to have a stroke.
She fumed at the teen, saying he could have killed Betsy, and Dylan ran off. Sean wanted answers, and Dylan told his dad how he and Betsy had both consented to choking during sex, and that they had tried it before after seeing it online.
At the end of the episode, Lisa went to the police station to report Dylan, so will Dylan be sent to prison for what has happened to Betsy? That’s unclear, but new spoilers for this week and next week have shared more about what happens next with Betsy.
Dylan suggests Brody could be responsible for what happened to Betsy, suggesting she may have cheated on him. Next week, Brody confronts Dylan over his lies, and tells him that if he was Betsy, he’d press charges.
Ryan also gives Dylan some home truths which make him question his part in what happened to Betsy, and how much he was to blame. This leads to Dylan visiting Betsy at the hospital, where he admits he now accepts that he’s responsible for her condition.
Apologetic, Dylan is terrified and flees when the police arrive to take Betsy’s statement – but what will she tell them? Later, Betsy struggles as she begins physio exercises.
When she’s unable to get to the toilet by herself, she’s embarrassed to ask pal Lauren for help. Betsy has a long road to recovery ahead of her, and she will struggle with the life-changing impact on her daily life that the stroke has caused.
Love Island fans were left “heartbroken” for Ellie Chadwick after it was reported that she had quit the series for good after a tumutlous romance with Finley Maddock
Love Island fans have been left ‘heartbroken’ for Ellie Chadwick (Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Love Island fans were left “heartbroken” for Ellie Chadwick after it was reported that she had quit the series for good and the reason why appeared to emerge during the latest episode.
The real estate videographer, 24, had been taking part in the hit ITV2 reality dating series and was enjoying a blossoming romance with Finley Maddock, but it all started to go wrong when he fell for a bombshell who entered the villa.
During Tuesday night’s episode of the series, Maya Jama told the Islanders they were to play a brand-new game called If You Know, You Know, in which the contestants had to wear blindfolds and headphones.
When their phone vibrated, each couple had to make their way to a podium to read out a controversial statement and then guess who it was who said it in the first place.
One couple read out the claim that “One half of this couple is secretly bored but too polite to admit it” and it was then that Finley said he was “a bit bored.”
The dramatic scenes aired shortly after it was reported that Ellie had walked out of the villa for good, and shocked fans instantly took to social media to predict it was the catalyst.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan said: “Finley has said he is bored of Ellie ??” and another said: “I don’t want to believe Ellie self-evicted for a man who literally said he got bored of her.”
Another said: “Omg Finley said that and they were all in ears to take Ellie back woow see how they are all in each other’s business but will be coming for Julia!”
Another wrote: “Oh was that boring comment to do with why Ellie left?” and a fifth said: “Finley said he’s bored with Ellie! That boy just keeps humiliating her!” On Facebook, one fan explained: “The received a statement that said this couple is one sided and one person is bored, which Finley had said to Kav in private apparently and it never came out, Ellie was clearly upset.”
Another replied: “OMG that heartbreaking for Ellie” and left a sad face emoji to emphasise how they felt. Just before the episode aired, it was reported that Ellie chose to quit the programme altogether, reportedly stemming from hearing the results of a viewer poll for favourite boy and favourite girl, even though she was not dumped by the public.
A source said: “Viewers have seen Ellie threatening to leave across recent episodes, so the news of her now quitting won’t feel like a surprise.
“But in real time, her and Fin reconnected at the recoupling a few days ago so her decision to now leave is a shock. Viewers will see the dramatic action play out in an episode soon.”
The reality star had threatened to quit before, when it looked like Finley had begun to take an interest in Elicia Bailey. In Tuesday night’s episode, she was apparently back together with him, but that was all filmed days ago, and now Ellie has actually left.
Speaking to The Sun, the source added: “The whole fallout of the vote was electric and is going to make for amazing TV. Everyone was devastated that Ellie left, and viewers will definitely be left scratching their heads.”
A crowd of more than 100,000, an open-top bus parade and a royal reception welcomed back the Norwegian World Cup squad.
Published On 13 Jul 202613 Jul 2026
More than 100,000 fans flooded the streets of the Norwegian capital, Oslo, to give their football team a heroes’ welcome, turning the heartbreak of their FIFA World Cup exit into a huge national celebration.
A 2-1 extra-time defeat by England on Saturday brought Norway’s historic run to an end in the quarterfinals, shattering the Nordics’ dreams of a semifinal berth. However, it did not stop the country from celebrating its heroes.
Massive crowds under the Norwegian summer sun filled the grounds of the Royal Palace early on Monday afternoon, with an unofficial turnout estimated at more than 100,000 people.
The Norway squad touched down to a traditional water cannon salute before commencing their homecoming parade in the capital.
The line of supporters quickly packed the palace square before stretching far down the main street, Karl Johans gate, as the squad first attended an audience with King Harald.
The team then stepped out to greet the fans, with the Royal Guard standing at attention behind them.
Striker Erling Haaland was noticeably absent from the final stage of the celebrations, having left early.
His departure meant he missed joining his teammates on the palace steps for one last “Viking row” with the tens of thousands of fans gathered below, which was led by Crown Prince Haakon on the drums.
“Erling and Sander [Berge] had to catch their plane as our trip from the US was delayed four hours,” coach Stale Solbakken said, as the squad prepared to continue the celebrations in an open bus parade around Oslo.
Following the exit, midfielder Pape Gueye said he would be “taking a break” from playing for Senegal while the current management remained in charge.
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) said, external that “after a thorough evaluation of the sporting results and prospects of the national team” it had dismissed Thiaw “in the best interests of Senegalese football”.
The Belgian side that beat Algeria 2-1 in their opening group stage game of the 2014 World Cup read like an all-star fantasy team of players in their prime.
Courtois, De Bruyne, Witsel and Lukaku all started, as did Eden Hazard, Mousa Dembele and Vincent Kompany, with Dries Mertens and Marouane Fellaini coming off the bench.
Belgium topped their group in their first World Cup since 2002 and reached the quarter-finals, before going one better and reaching the final four in 2018 and winning the third-place play-off.
The same group of players reached the quarter-finals of both Euro 2016 and 2020, before crashing out of the group stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Critics say such a talented group should have achieved more, but for a nation of less than 12 million people, was international success ever a realistic aim?
“To be a golden generation you have to win some gold and then you can be called that,” said Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague.
“It’s put the expectations very high in Belgium and it’s interesting that people look back at that group of players because with Lukaku, De Bruyne, Tielemans, Trossard they have actually had a good run.
“They were third in the last World Cup and that seems to have been forgotten with Roberto Martinez as their manager. I’m not sure how much more you could ask for.
“In the context of other teams like an England side that had the golden age, with an Italy that have had such experience and managed to get a wonderful Euros, with Spain on the up as well, to demand Belgium to win is a maybe a little bit too much.”
Along with those celebrated names, Leandro Trossard (31), Brandon Mechele (33), Timothy Castagne (33), Hans Vanaken (33), and Thomas Meunier (34) have likely played their last World Cup minutes.
“I’m disappointed for those that maybe might not come back with the national team,” manager Rudi Garcia said after the match.
“I took a team that I wanted to take as far as possible. My veteran players, who are maybe on their way out, that they could have one last hurrah.
“It is a shame because I think everyone deserves to go far in this World Cup.”
Campaz was threatened after failing to score in the last-16 match against Switzerland, which Colombia lost on penalties.
Published On 10 Jul 202610 Jul 2026
Colombia’s Jaminton Campaz has received death threats following his team’s exit from the World Cup, the country’s football federation said, as it condemned the threats.
“No athlete, nor any member of their inner circle, should be subjected to intimidation for representing their country in a sporting arena,” the Colombian Football Federation (FCF) said in a statement on Friday.
Colombia’s tournament ended Tuesday in a penalty shootout loss to Switzerland in the round of 16. During extra time, Campaz — who plays for Argentine club Rosario Central — missed a critical scoring opportunity when his shot went wide.
On Instagram, Campaz shared a photo of himself covering his face in frustration, alongside a plea for respect.
“Football is also made up of difficult moments,” he wrote. “My Colombia, please let us never lose sight of respect. We may think differently or feel frustration and sadness, but no passion justifies hatred or living in fear.”
In response to the harassment, the Colombian federation has urged the country’s attorney general’s office to expedite an investigation to identify those behind the threats.
“Football must be a space for unity, respect, and hope — never a setting for hatred, intimidation or violence,” the federation said, calling on fans to ensure that sporting disappointments never translate into real-world aggression.
The threats evoke a dark chapter in Colombian football history. During the 1994 World Cup in the United States, defender Andres Escobar scored an own-goal in a 2-1 loss to the host nation. Days after the team was eliminated and returned home, Escobar was murdered in Medellin.
Coronation Street’s Ross Wilkes showed his true colours with Cassie Plummer on Friday ahead of her exit from the ITV soap, which is linked to Tyrone’s dad’s arrival
Ross in Coronation Street made his true feelings known on Friday as he blackmailed Cassie Plummer(Image: ITV)
Ross in Coronation Street made his true feelings known on Friday as he blackmailed Cassie Plummer.
The new character, played by actor Ian Burfield, debuted on the ITV soap this week. He’s the long-lost father of Tyrone Dobbs, Cassie’s son.
Cassie failed to recognise Ross when she met him in the hotel bar, and drunkenly began flirting with him. It was Friday’s episode, after Cassie had recognised Ross’ name on his bar receipt, that we saw them come face-to-face again.
This time, it was the moment Ross met Tyrone, and Tyrone realised the newcomer was his father. Later in the episode, Tyrone had told Ross where to go as he did not need a father after 40 plus years without one.
Ross was gutted about this, but instead of trying harder, he turned nasty with Cassie. Bumping into her in the shop, Ross blackmailed her over their moment in the bar.
Threatening to tell Cassie’s partner Steve McDonald and Tyrone about Cassie making a pass at him, Ross told Cassie she needed to help him. He wanted Cassie to basically change Tyrone’s mind about not seeing him.
Obviously wanting a relationship with his son, instead of trying to get Tyrone onside he decided to force Cassie to convince Tyrone instead. Cassie was alarmed, and there’s possibly some stuff about Cassie and Ross’ past that we don’t know.
So with Cassie set to leave the soap this year, and it revealed Ross is linked to the exit, could be turn Tyrone against her? That’s not clear just yet, but what is clear is that Cassie is right to worry about Ross.
She was so rattled by him that she left the room when she and Tyrone were left alone with him. She couldn’t face it, and now on top of that she’s fearful Ross is going to expose her to Steve over the bar incident.
The way that Ross turned on her in the shop, threatening her, proves he’s not to be messed with. Spoilers for next week reveal that Cassie tries to warn people about Ross, saying he isn’t what he seems.
When Ross gets told about this, he takes action. Once again threatening her, it’s not long before Cassie has a decision to make as the blackmailing continues. So will Cassie confess to Steve, and will she be rejected by Tyrone if Ross continues to play games?