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Driving Home For Christmas singer Chris Rea was making festive posts on social media hours before he died ‘peacefully in hospital’ at the age of 74 following a short illness

Chris Rea made reference to his famous Christmas song in his final social media post which he shared just hours before his sudden death. A spokesperson for the music legend announced on Monday that he had died following a short illness, at the age of 74.

The musician, who was from Middlesbrough, is arguably best known for his 1988 song, Driving Home For Christmas. And amid the 2025 festive season, he had been sharing social media posts about the countdown to Christmas.

On Sunday, the star uploaded a photo of a car driving through snow along a busy motorway. A Variable Message Sign was also in shot which had the message: “Driving home for Christmas with a thousand memories. Adding a caption of his own, Chris wrote: “Top to toe in tailbacks … If it’s a white Christmas, let’s hope the journey’s a smooth one.”

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The singer added the hashtages #DrivingHomeForChristmas, #ChristmasSongs, #ChristmasMusic and #ChrisRea to the post – as well as a snowflake and a car emoji. Just hours later, family members of the singer were around the star as he died.

A spokesperson confirmed on Monday: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris. He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family.”

Chris had suffered from a number of health conditions in recent years, including peritonitis, pancreatic cancer and diabetes – while it has been reported that he would inject insulin up to seven times per day as he battled his conditions. Following the news of his death, fans have flooded social media with tributes and memories of the star.

One wrote on X: “Genuinely gutted to hear this. A proper Teesside legend. Safe drive home Chris… Damn… he lived for his cars, wonderful guitarist, and made so many great albums. RIP Chris Rea… Aah no! Bad news…”

Another typed: “Chris Rea has died. Shocked. Talented, he was also a really nice guy. I’m freaked because I mentioned him in a pre-Yule newsletter from my website. Chris had loads of friends in Ireland. He’ll be missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam…”

Chris had previously discussed his health issues – revealing: “I’ve had nine major operations in ten years. A lot of it is to do with something called retroperitoneal fibrosis, where the internal tissues attack each other. No one knew it existed 20 years ago, and it’s completely unpredictable.. It’s affected the colon, the pancreas, the gall bladder, the liver – and then I get a stroke.”

The singer went on to explain that his health was something that could not be taken for granted, despite the chart and commercial success he enjoyed over the years. He said: “I made a lot of money, but you can dangerously let it lead you on…

“It depends what company you keep. I once said to Michael Winner, ‘I’m the poorest man on this Barbados beach.’ On days like today, the richest man in the world is the one who hasn’t got a bad shoulder.”

Chris is survived by his wife Joan Lesley, who he was together with since they were teenagers, and their two daughters; Josephine, born 16 September 1983, and Julia Christina, born 18 March 1989. As well as Driving Home For Christmas, he penned tracks including On the Beach, Let’s Dance, and The Road To Hell.

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ZOE Ball has bid her final farewells to her BBC Radio 2 show today.

The radio presenter, 55, announced she would be leaving her beloved Saturday show earlier this month, with today being her final time on air.

She was greeted by fans outside Broadcasting house before taking to the airwaves.

It comes just a year after Zoe stepped down from her breakfast programme on the same station, after hosting it for six year.

Though Zoe won’t be completely absent from the airwaves – continuing to host specials on the station less frequently.

Presenter Romesh Ranganathan today handed over to Zoe before her show kicked off at 1pm.

EYE ON THE BALL

Zoe Ball breaks silence on shocking Radio 2 exit as Strictly rumours swirl

HAVING A BALL

Inside Zoe Ball’s decision to quit her Radio 2 show after chaotic year

Romesh compared Zoe leaving to a “death in the family” and shared heartfelt messages from fans, before adding: “It’s your last show! I’m gonna miss seeing you every Saturday.

“How are you feeling?”

Zoe replied: “It’s my last Saturday show … I’m feeling like everybody else is feeling at this time of year …

“Don’t worry I won’t be a stranger.”

Romesh also teased the rumours that Zoe is taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as the host of Strictly Come Dancing next year.

He said: “Is it true you’re leaving your Saturday show because of …”

He then quipped: “Sally on traffic, it’s that, let’s put that down now.”

Zoe played along and said: “Sally and I have been in love with each other for a long time and we’ve decided we can’t possibly work in the same building anymore because the magnetism is too much.”

Zoe’s announcement comes after she was included in the BBC’s “Golden Ten” shortlist of presenters tested for the perfect on-screen partnership to replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.

The Sun revealed that Zoe Ball was one of the ten stars put through their paces in order to find the perfect on screen partnership in a top-secret chemistry test.

The news has sparked excitement that Ball could be in the running to replace Tess and Claudia as Strictly Come Dancing host.

The final of 2025 Celebrity MasterChef marked the final show for outgoing judge John Torode

Celebrity MasterChef fans have pleaded with BBC bosses to retain John Torode on the programme as his final episode aired.

Following five weeks of intense culinary competition, the 20th series of the celebrity spin-off reached its conclusion tonight (Friday, December 19), with this year’s champion finally announced.

The finale saw RuPaul’s Drag Race star Ginger Johnson, rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones, and author-broadcaster Dawn O’Porter face their toughest challenge yet, as they were tasked with presenting their most impressive dishes.

Each competitor prepared a three-course menu aimed at demonstrating their culinary journey and winning over judges John and Grace Dent, who stepped in to replace Gregg Wallace on the current series following his departure amid an investigation into his conduct.

Ultimately, Ginger was named Celebrity MasterChef Champion 2025. Speaking about her victory, Ginger said: “I cannot believe this, I’m so shocked. I really thought I was going to come here and have a laugh. I can’t believe this is the end result of the competition. It’s absolutely crazy! I can’t wait to tell my mum and dad. I’ve actually learned a real-life skill!”, reports Wales Online.

John added: “With all the presentation, all the fun, the laughs, her food tastes delicious and she’s an extraordinary cook. For me, that’s why she is our champion.”

This series of the BBC hit competition marks the final appearance of John in his hosting role after he was removed following the outcome of an investigation into his conduct on the programme. At the time, John was accused of using a racist term off-camera during the programme’s production, prompting the BBC to intervene. The chef has consistently denied the allegation.

Grace is set to return in the next series, expected to air next winter, alongside Anna Haugh who will be filling John’s role.

As the current series concluded, viewers were quick to voice their opinions on the presenter reshuffle, with many insisting that the BBC should retain John on the show.

One viewer expressed: “John Torode’s eyes welled up with tears when tasting a great main Finals dish. Who can replace Torode? No one I can think off. Get him back, don’t let him go.”

Another commented: “Brilliant series of #CelebrityMasterchef Grace Dent fits very well but will be sad to no longer see John Torode at the helm.”

A third shared: “I think that’s been one of the best #celebritymasterchef series ever. All the chefs that got to finals week were great cooks and personalities. I didn’t mind who won. But more importantly Grace Dent has been a breath of fresh air. I thought she and John worked well together.”

Another stated: “Can I just say I thought Grace and John were a dream team as hosts and I don’t care if he did use a derogatory word whilst singing the lyrics of a rap song, he shouldn’t have been made to leave #CelebrityMasterchef.”

Meanwhile, one fan added: “Very wrong to get rid of John. Him and #GraceDent make a great pair on #celebritymasterchef . What a fantastic series this has been.”

You can catch up on Celebrity MasterChef on BBC iPlayer

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**

Wawrinka, who turned pro in 2002, has won 16 tour-level trophies during his career, including a Masters 1000 title at Monte Carlo in 2014.

He also secured gold for Switzerland in doubles at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing partnering Roger Federer.

Known for his one-handed backhand, Wawrinka beat the world number one player in all three of his Grand Slam finals.

Wawrinka, who will turn 41 in March, has struggled with injuries in recent years and is currently ranked outside the top 150.

“I still want to push my limits and finish this journey on the best note possible,” Wawrinka added.

“I still have dreams in this sport. I’ve enjoyed every part of what tennis has given me, especially the emotions I feel playing in front of you.

“I’m looking forward to seeing you one more time, all around the world.”

Wawrinka’s first outing of 2026 will come at the United Cup team competition in Perth from 2 January.

A low-key, media-only weigh-in took place on Thursday morning at the Fontainebleau hotel, before a ceremonial weigh-in later in the day at the Fillmore Miami Beach.

Heavyweights do not usually have to make weight, but Joshua was required to come in under 17st 7lb (111kg) – reflecting the gulf in experience between the fighters.

He tipped the scales at 17st 5lb (110kg), with Paul weighing 15st 7lb (98kg).

At the official weigh-in earlier, Paul stepped on the scales calmly before breaking into a brief, animated and somewhat confusing tirade.

“Do you know who I am? I am him,” he shouted, eyes wide, as he gestured towards the assembled media.

Paul was the heaviest he has weighed in at – 3lb more than for his fight against Mike Tyson last year.

The weight discrepancy has been a major talking point.

Paul has operated largely at cruiserweight for much of his boxing career.

Joshua was never expected to miss the limit, having posted a video on social media two weeks ago showing himself already on target.

He has comfortably made similar weights before, including for both fights against generational great Oleksandr Usyk. At his heaviest, he was 18st 3lb (118kg) during his professional career.

The Strictly Come Dancing cast have rallied around judge Shirley Ballas after she shared some heartbreaking news online

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has been flooded with support after she shared a family death.

The dancer will be back on screens on Saturday (December 20) for the show’s epic final. Remaining stars like Amber Davies, George Clarke and Karen Carney will be battling it out to take home the iconic Glitterball trophy.

However, just days before the final, Shirley has been dealt some major heartbreak. Taking to her Instagram on Wednesday evening (December 17) Shirley confirmed her beloved aunt – who was like a “second mum” to Shirley – had passed away.

The TV star shared several photos of her and her aunt and paid a heartbreaking tribute to her in the caption. She wrote: “My dearest Auntie Mavis … where do I begin.

“How I’ll miss you so very much. I’ll miss all your sayings of ‘you’re right love’, ‘do you know what I mean like love’, ‘yeah I know’ and l’d say ‘no you don’t know Mavis’. That one was my favourite.”

Shirley continued: “Mavis was always there for me and my family, she had been like a second mum to me. Mum and I are sad you’re not here with us any more, Mavis. We will treasure the memories. Mum has many that’s for sure. Her best friend of over 65 years.

“The bond between Mavis and my mother was absolutely unbreakable. We will miss every minute of every second not chatting with you, talking with you and you making us laugh with all your antics. May you rest in peace now with your beautiful daughter Helen and your wonderful husband.

“We will celebrate you often, talk about you often, laugh often with all the things that you and my mum got up to. I truly thought that you would live forever, Mavis.”

Shirley finished off the emotional post and said: “Thank you for always being there for me through the ups, through the downs and through all the parts of my life. Thank you for tuning into @bbcstrictly and then switching off after you’d seen my dress. That always made me smile.

“I’ll treasure every single memory I ever had with you. Rest in peace beautiful Mavis. Hugs and love, Shirley and Audrey. X.”

Shirley’s fellow showbiz pals and fans quickly rushed to the comments section to send their support. Claudia Winkleman penned: “Sending all my love,” while Neil Jones commented an orange heart emoji.

One fan said: “So sorry for your loss. Your mum has lost her beautiful friend.” Another follower chimed in: “Aw bless you all, so sorry for your loss….. Sending so much love to you all and may Mavis rest in peace.” A third penned: “Sorry for your loss, sending love to you both rest in peace Mavis.”

Strictly Come Dancing airs this weekend on BBC One.

Former Lionness Karen Karney, Reality TV personality Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke will battle it out this weekend at the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 live grand final

“It’s not about the Glitterball trophy… it’s so much bigger than that,” says former Lioness Karen Carney ahead of the Strictly Come Dancing final this weekend.

Viewers have watched Karen go on quite a journey over the 13 week series, transforming from shy ex-footballer into elegant ballroom dancer.

Karen, 38, is now favourite to win the show over her fellow finalists George Clarke and Amber Davies, though she’s already taken one title in being the first football star in 21 years to make it to the end.

“It feels weird and I can’t quite believe it but I’m really proud,” says Karen. “What I learned from being an athlete is that things are over very quickly. One minute I was a 17-year-old footballer who burst onto the scene, allegedly, and the next I was old and retired and couldn’t move. Life goes very, very quick. I’ve tried to enjoy every second.”

Following her decision to retire after a spate of injuries at 31, Karen suffered a total crisis of confidence. “I couldn’t figure out how to fix that,” she says. “For five or six years I felt crushed. But I always thought if I could ever get the opportunity to throw myself into what I felt would be a safe environment then I’m taking it. I always knew in my heart Strictly would be that thing. Every Saturday I’d watch it at home and I’d fall in love with the dancers and enjoy their journeys and I’d forget about everything else. I thought if I ever got the privilege to join it would help me and it absolutely has.

“It’s rebuilt my confidence and this is by far the happiest I’ve ever been. I’ve smiled like I never have before, and I’m forever grateful to the show and to Carlos [partner Carlos Gu] for that. I feel I have a responsibility to give it everything I’ve got because I know when I was sitting on the sofa Strictly helped me. I have to give that feeling back to everyone at home.”

Viewers have seen Karen thrive on the show, as she jokes she’s been ‘living her best life’ in sequins and feathers.

“I hoped the show would be everything I dreamed of and it’s absolutely smashed it and surpassed it. I’ve drummed with the band, I’ve got a signed photo of [costume designer] Vicky Gill and I’ve had one of my outfits signed. But I’ve also been naughty and nicked my Peaky Blinders hat,” confesses Karen, admitting she swiped the flat cap from her Brummie inspired Argentine Tango, a dance she will recreate for the judge’s pick in the final. “I never thought I’d do it again so I took it as a memento. Now I’ve got to find it in the house again for Saturday.

“That dance was a turning point because we dipped for about four or five weeks until that. This number was about representing Birmingham for me. I said to myself, ‘You cannot let your city down girl. You’ve got to dig deep, fight for this and you’ve got to represent.’ I walked in on a Monday and I was like, ‘Right I’m in character and I’m ready to go’… and Carlos laughed at my serious faces.”

Despite their obvious banter, it’s clear nobody is a bigger champion of Karen than her partner Carlos who has had a front row seat for the huge change in the sportswoman.

“In the beginning when I met her, she was not confident and insecure.,” recalls Carlos. “But we all saw that Waltz where she became a princess. It was one of the best moments in my life to see her like that. She was so beautiful.”While Karen has undergone a journey of self-belief, for fellow finalist Amber, Strictly has been an often emotional and challenging battle with the public’s perception of her. After being accused of being ‘too confident’, ‘too polished’ and ‘too good’ for the show, Amber’s previous stage experience – appearing in hit shows including 9 to 5: The Musical and The Great Gatsby musical – seemed to be the very thing that sabotaged her.

Despite huge praise and high scores from the judges each week, Amber is the only finalist to have been in the dance-off this series.

“I didn’t know what my purpose was on Strictly until I realised that I was getting a lot of negative comments for being good,” she says. “I can’t believe I have to say this in 2025 but being ambitious as a woman, being confident, having dreams and working hard does not mean you are stuck up. It doesn’t mean you are arrogant. I want to change that. It shouldn’t even be the narrative.

“I’ve had lots of people say, ‘I can’t warm to her’. It’s because they don’t want to warm to me. That’s it. At the end of the day, I come from a small town in north Wales and I have worked so hard because I love what I do.”

Defending her place in the competition, Amber says: “I was given this opportunity… nobody was going to decline Strictly as a Strictly fan.”

Amber, 29, had been a last minute sign up after fellow ex Love Island star Dani Dyer withdrew to injury days before the launch.

“Getting to the final was never on my bingo card,” says Amber. Asked if she could see herself take home the trophy, she replies: “What is the definition of winning? For me, even just getting that phone call to be on the show I felt like I’d won.”

Revealing what she’s learned from the experience, Amber says: “Whatever you care for in life, go for it with two hands and don’t undermine yourself to make other people feel comfortable, because that’s not what we’re here for.”

For professional dance partner Nikita Kuzmin it’s been a dream to be paired with a celebrity with Amber’s skill.

“It’s just outstanding to see your partner shine,” he says. “I’ve found it exciting to do things on the show that have never been done before because the show’s been going over 20 years and to create new things and to think outside the box… And then when you have people like Amber, who are light, can do everything that you ask of them then why not go for it?”

While the finalists are gearing up to compete in front of an audience of millions this Saturday night, content creator George will be one of the first to admit he started as one of the lesser known names on this year’s line-up, despite having two million followers on TikTok.

“It’’s a completely different world to what I’m used to. I’m used to performing into a camera that’s [close up to] my face and I can cut out all the rubbish bits. Unfortunately, I can’t do that on the dancefloor,” says George, 26. “This is something my family can properly understand. They’ve always been supportive but this is different.”

Being on the show has also brought George to the attention of a whole new fan base. “It’s weird to walk down the street now,” he says, revealing he’s approached by grandmothers asking for selfies to youngsters calling his name. “And screaming teenage girls,” adds his partner Alexis Warr. “I block that out,” insists George.

After Angryginge won I’m A Celebrity… Get Met Out of Here! , 2025 could be the year two social media stars win the biggest reality shows on television.

“It’s good to have that representation,” says George. “Congratulations to him and fingers crossed for me!”

The final is also the last time Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will front the show after announcing their exit, with emotions set to run extra high in the ballroom this weekend.

“We’re aware of how big a part of Strictly Tess and Claudia are and it’s a privilege to be able to be a part of one of their seasons let alone their last one,” says George. “Even after one series we’ve realised how inclusive and loving they are. We’ve known them for 13 weeks but it feels like longer and they genuinely care about us. You can tell why they’ve been a part of the show for so long.”

Strictly Come Dancing: The Final, Saturday, BBC One,7pm

Morocco has earned itself a spot in the FIFA Arab Cup final after soundly defeating the UAE 3-0 in Monday’s semi-final at Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar.

A clear favourite has emerged to take the Strictly Come Dancing crown, say bookies and fans.

Three nervous celebrities are going into the Strictly Come Dancing final but only one can win – and it’s increasingly clear who that will be. Despite the final being touted as the closest in years, a single star is surging ahead in the battle for the Glitterball trophy that will take place on Saturday night.

Former England footballer Karen Carney, 38, has leapt ahead of all the others in the running and has been named as the far-ahead favourite to take the title, with people piling in to back her. It’s something of a last-minute upset since social media star George Clarke, 26, has long led the market, but is now drifting away.

West End star Amber Davies, 29, who has been in the dance-off for two weeks running now but managed to survive, is now thought to be the least likely to win the competition with professional partner Nikita Kuzmin and is predicted to finish third behind runner-up George and winner Karen.

One fan wrote: “The odds are slowly beginning to suggest we do have our winner” but added: “I think it’ll be the closest final we’ve had in years which is always a refreshing change after the past few years!”

Others said they would be switching their vote from Balvinder to the football star. One wrote: “Karen! I like George but I’ve been less moved by his story and I think the Karen/Carlos pairing is endlessly fun.” Another agreed: “As a Bal fan, im now gonna be voting for Karen.”

Lee Phelps for William Hill explained: “Karen Carney has taken firm control of the Strictly betting ahead of the final, and her move into 2/5 from 6/5 shows just how strongly punters are backing her to lift the Glitterball. After weeks of favouritism see-sawing between the two, Clarke has now eased out to 15/8 from 4/5, indicating that momentum has swung decisively in Carney’s favour at the ideal moment.

“Amber Davies’ survival in the dance-off hasn’t gone unnoticed either, with her trimmed into 20/1, but the market is clearly focused on a straight fight at the top as we head into the final.”

Others dismissed the predictions, with one fan writing: “Omg why is Karen such a strong favourite to win when George is going to win?” Another pointed to the huge fanbase he has thanked to his vast online following who are ready to vote for him.

They said: “I hate to get my hopes up, but I saw the strictly results show post of Facebook, and majority of the comments were saying their votes go to George and they want him to win. Not only that but he has his fanbase, and has been top of the polls. It’s looking promising.”

Another agreed: “What also helps George is the same thing that likely helped Ginge win I’m A Celeb – he’s in with some of the biggest stars in the UK YouTube scene, so if they post the vote link the same way they did for Ginge I think it’ll be a real uphill battle for Karen or Amber.”

Strictly Come Dancing’s live final is at 7pm on Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Kym Marsh is set to star in her sexiest role to date in the new Channel 5 drama The Imposter as she says she’s proud of her portrayal as she prepares to celebrate her 50th birthday

Actress Kym Marsh has been known for playing a variety of roles over the years. But now, viewers will have to brace themselves for her latest role in the Channel 5 drama The Imposter, as she undertakes her raunchiest role to date.

The 49-year-old mother of three has revealed that some of the sex scenes had to either be cut or toned down in a bid to make it appropriate for TV viewing. The former Coronation Street star, who shot to fame on Pop Stars in 2000 as part of the group Hear’Say, is now playing a “villainous heartbreaker in the gripping TV drama, set in an Australian seaside hotel.

In a recent interview, she said: “Episode two was particularly raunchy. It’s the flashback to London where she first meets her Australian lover. There was quite a lot of stuff that I believe they’ve had to tone down.

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She added: “I spoke to the executive working on it and he said, ‘Hey, you did it so convincingly’, and I was like . . . thanks.” The drama takes viewers on a journey of sibling rivalry with “deadly consequences.”

And according to the singer turned actress, she plays the seductive role of Amanda in the four-episode drama. Speaking of her role, she proudly stated that she felt “brave and powerful”, taking on a sexy role as she prepares to celebrate her 50th birthday next June.

She told The Sun on Sunday: “I’ve done a few things on stage, but they are very tame in comparison to this role. The crew and the cast were so respectful, and the director was brilliant. Everyone just made you feel very safe, and obviously, we had an intimacy co-ordinator on set. “

She continued: “But you know what? I went into it, and I was a bit like, ‘I’m 49 years old, I’m not as body confident as I used to be’ because as you get older, you’ve got that kind of thing going on. And I’m on screen, kind of barely dressed. “

She admitted to feeling nervous in certain parts of filming the drama, but due to the relaxed nature of the production staff and her co-stars, she was put at ease. Kym flew to Australia and was there on her own, leaving behind all her comforts for six weeks.

In an interview with the Mirror, she said: “I am a 49-year-old woman, but it was the furthest I’d ever gone before alone. I was all by myself flying off for six weeks without any of my family, but they very quickly put me at ease. It felt like I had known everybody forever.”

She stars alongside Jackie Woodburne, who is well known for playing Susan Kennedy in Neighbours and TV personality Dannii Minogue. Speaking about her co-sta,r Jackie, she added: “Jackie was just incredible. She’s a bit of a royal, really, in terms of the TV world and she’s done a lot of stuff and she’s this very seasoned actress and then to work with her like that, she did take me under her wing because she knew I didn’t know anyone in Australia and we worked together a lot.”

And she went on to say: “A lot of our scenes were together and she was just very supportive and lovely. I went out for dinner with her and I just felt very welcomed. And I think Jackie will be a friend forever, actually.” In one part of the drama, viewers will see Kym film a sex scene where her co-star had his head between her legs as they pretended to act out a sex act.

Kym said that she was able to film the scene because she had built up a level of trust with her co-star. Having a strong support system around her but this may now prove slightly tricky as her son David has expressed that he wants to see her latest drama.

She told the publication that was felt compelled to warn him of the scenes. On the back of her admission, her 30 year old son quickly told her she will have to skip past those scenes and just fill him in.

Kym has been in a number of roles, including Coronation Street and Waterloo Road, as well as stage performances, where she has earned a legion of fans.

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The seemingly unlikely comeback at the end of regulation came after a dramatic second-half that had begun with Scotstown leading 0-6 to 0-1.

Kilcoo were playing into the considerable wind in the first half with the conditions hampering their attacking efforts.

Despite a sizeable edge in possession through the opening period, there were just five minutes until the break before they registered their sole score of the first half.

The point was provided by Eugene Branagan, but even the wavering trajectory of the ball as it bisected the posts was evidence of the difficulties endured by the Down side’s players when shooting into the swirling breeze.

By that stage, Beggan had already kicked the first pair of two-pointers among his tally and there seemed only one winner when his side’s lead was stretched to eight midway through the second half.

But, having struggled to find their range with the wind at their backs in the early stages of the second half, Kilcoo belatedly mastered the conditions to reel Scotstown in.

Devlin finally got his side off the mark in the second half with a two-pointer 13 minutes after the restart, with the forward adding a further three points as the Down champions cut the deficit to only a point in the closing stages.

A drilled effort from Kieran Hughes was matched by Tommy Mallen from just inside the arc, before Beggan stepped up with another two-pointer to give his side that seemingly crucial three-point cushion heading into injury time.

But his Kilcoo counterpart Niall Kane answered in kind with the clock already well in the red.

Rather than mere consolation, Kilcoo regained possession with the three minutes of indicated added time already up and Callum Rogers gathered and spun brilliantly to send the game into extra time.

Rather than be flattened by letting the long-sought title slip from their grasp, Scotstown lifted themselves from the floor in extra-time with Beggan kicking two frees and a 45, in addition to three points from Conor McCarthy, to end their 36-year wait.

We should be grateful for filmmakers who have a special artistic relationship with an actor: Akira Kurosawa with Toshiro Mifune, Martin Scorsese with Robert De Niro and, by all indications, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone. Count the Italian duo of Paolo Sorrentino and star Toni Servillo among them, a fertile partnership that began nearly 25 years ago with the director’s first film (“One Man Up”) and continues with their seventh together, the political drama “La Grazia” (“Grace”).

The wielding of power seems to be a frequent backdrop for these two, with “La Grazia” — about an Italian president facing tough decisions as he ends his term of office — marking the third time Sorrentino has asked his favorite leading man to be a head of state, following their breakthrough 2008 collaboration “Il Divo” (about Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti) and 2018’s romp about Silvio Berlusconi, “Loro.”

The difference this time is that, while the other two films centered controversial real-life figures, Servillo’s character in “La Grazia” is fictional, yet pressured to deal with contentious issues. The result is a much more somber, ruminative exploration of morality in governmental authority than the stylish violence of “Il Divo” and exploitative raunch of “Loro.”

A decade after his lush Oscar-winning bacchanal “The Great Beauty” (starring an especially great you-know-who), Sorrentino is no less drawn to pictorial beauty or arresting visuals. But there’s a grayer, graver tone to the long shadows of “La Grazia,” as if the natural, appealing gravitas of Servillo playing an important man fighting a planned obsolescence was the only palette Sorrentino and cinematographer Daria D’Antonio needed.

Servillo’s Mariano De Santis has mere months left — as a leader, that is. But besides being pushed to eat healthier and stop smoking cigarettes by his daughter Dorotea (a wonderful Anna Ferzetti), the idea of ending things isn’t entirely figurative as this austere jurist-turned-president wanders the halls of his official Roman residence, the grand Palazzo del Quirinale, wryly contemplating retirement.

He’s a widower, for one thing, whose love for his deceased wife is still deep enough to keep him jealous regarding her early infidelity with a mystery man he’s eager to identify, even as his old friend, art curator Coco (a vibrant Milvia Marigliano), stays tight-lipped about what she knows. He’s also being pushed by Dorotea, a treasured advisor who is herself a legal scholar, to consider two cases of clemency for convicted spousal killers, both with circumstances that would test any arbiter of sound legal judgment. And finally, though De Santis is a devoted Catholic, on good terms with the pope (Rufin Doh Zeyenouin), he’s grappling with signing right-to-euthanasia legislation.

You wouldn’t think a movie with such heavy topics would count as escapism. But when you consider current headlines, a thoughtful leader engaging with thorny issues from a place of psychological honesty, social integrity and fatherly love could almost count as fantasy. And Sorrentino, a dedicated sensualist, does allow himself some lighter touches, including, toward the end, a fanciful visual metaphor for a burdened man’s spirit that maybe only he could get away with.

Most assuredly, though, this is a duo of director and star once more moving in concert together, maybe not as confidently as with some previous efforts, but with a knowing intelligence. Servillo is no less than magnificent, conveying a buttoned-up statesman’s management of earned wisdom and inconvenient emotion (and, at one point, an interest in rap lyrics) with enough lessons in actorly craft to fill one of his character’s treasured law tomes. The title doesn’t just describe what’s sometimes elusive in governance. “La Grazia” is Servillo in every scene.

The central bank cut rates for the third time in 2025 as limited government data clouds economic outlook.

The United States Federal Reserve has cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, marking the last rate cut of the year.

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.50 – 3.75 percent as US job growth has appeared to stall.

“Job gains have slowed this year, and the unemployment rate has edged up through September. More recent indicators are consistent with these developments. Inflation has moved up since earlier in the year and remains somewhat elevated,” the central bank said in a statement.

The cut was widely expected with an 89 percent probability of a rate cut, according to the CME Fed Watch, a tracker which monitors the likelihood of monetary policy decisions.

The decision came as the central bank faced gaps in many sets of government data used to assess the state of the US economy. During the record-long 43-day government shutdown, key agencies, including the Department of Labor, were unable to gather information needed for their reports.

Among them were import and export prices, the producer price index report, as well state employment and unemployment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics on Monday said that it would not release numbers from October because the agency did not have enough resources to collect information.

The last top-line data that the central bank had to make its interest rate decision was from September. At the time, the unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.4 percent and the core inflation rose to 2.8 percent.

A new government report on Wednesday showed US labour costs increased 0.8 percent in the third quarter, slightly less than expected.

The central bank might be more cautious about interest rate cuts in the next year as economic data shows a cooling labour market.

“There is considerable uncertainty around the labour market, but some of the weights should begin to lift early next year,” Ryan Sweet, managing director, US Macro Forecasting and Analysis at Oxford Economics, said in a report published ahead of the central bank’s decision.

“The challenge facing the Fed next year is the potential jobless expansion, when GDP increases but employment gains are modest, at best. This leaves the economy vulnerable to shocks because the labour market is the main firewall against a recession.”

Political turmoil

While the Fed has maintained its independence from partisan interference, there has been increased pressure from US President Donald Trump to cut rates further and he has often used hostile rhetoric towards the Fed chair to do it. The first rate cut in Trump’s second term as president came only in September.

The White House has also installed loyalist Stephen Miran to the Fed board where he is on leave from his job as an economic adviser in the White House. Miran has dissented against the 25 basis point rate cut that was undertaken at each of the two meetings he has attended in favour of larger half-percentage-point cuts.

On Wednesday, Miran, again, voted for a more aggressive cut of half a percentage point while governors Austan D Goolsbee and Jeffrey R Schmid voted not to make a rate cut at all. The other governors all voted for a 25 basis point cut.

“Still elevated inflation and a backlog of economic data complicate the picture for the Fed looking into next year — with President Trump’s aggressive push for lower short-term rates potentially complicating the objective of bringing down longer-term borrowing costs,” Daniel Hornung, policy fellow at Stanford Institute of Economic Policy Research, said in remarks provided to Al Jazeera.

Fed Chair Powell’s term is up in mid-May 2026. Trump, in an interview published on Tuesday in news outlet Politico, said support for immediately cutting interest rates would be a requirement for anyone he chose to lead the Federal Reserve.