• The midfielder has become a lynchpin of the head coach’s title-winning side 
• Barca have enjoyed a strong start to their league defence and top LaLiga table 
• Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here 

By Tamara Prenn For Mailonline

Published: 03:56 EDT, 26 September 2023 | Updated: 04:03 EDT, 26 September 2023

Barcelona are preparing to go over a month without one of their key players and alarming numbers have shown they can ill-afford to go without him. 

Xavi Hernandez’s side have enjoyed a fast start to the season, and the LaLiga titleholders currently sit atop the table after six match days. 

Saturday’s tie against Celta Vigo saw them claw back a win from two goals down, after an efficient brace from Robert Lewandowski sparked a comeback capped by a late winner courtesy of Manchester City outcast Joao Cancelo. 

But an injury to Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong will have cast a pall around the Blaugrana, as will news that the former Ajax player could be out for up to seven weeks. 

De Jong was replaced by wonderkid Gavi during the first half of the home tie, and the club has released a statement confirming an injury to the ‘tibiofibular syndesmosis in his right ankle’. 

Barcelona must go without one of their key players for over a month after he picked up injury

Frenkie de Jong was substituted in the first half against Celta Vigo and has been diagnosed with an ankle injury

The Blaugrana have won just six matches that De Jong has been unavailable for since 2019

Whilst there is no specific timeframe for his recovery, the player’s absence could spark concern for his head coach. 

As per Spanish outlet Sport, Barca have won just six of the matches that De Jong has been unavailable for selection for since his 2019 move to Ajax. 

The Dutchman has only missed 16 matches due to injury in total since his transfer across the four seasons he has spent in Catalonia, and without him, the side has registered seven draws and three defeats. 

Over the ties, Barcelona have also struggled for goals, scoring just 18 over the ties where he has been unavailable for selection, whilst conceding 13. 

The lion’s share of the wins without the 26-year-old came in his first season, when he was struggling to settle into the side, with four wins and three draws coming during his seven absences. 

De Jong was available for the entirety of the 2020/21 season, but in 2021/22, Barca won none of the three games he was unavailble for, drawing two and losing one. 

During the club’s title-winning season last term, he missed seven games in october and April, with the team frustrated during the period to see out two wins, two draws and two defeats. 

The midfielder has started every match during the Blaugrana’s campaign this season, scoring a crucial goal during the team’s 4-3 showdown with Villarreal at the end of August.    

Despite a tumultuous start to his time at the Camp Nou – which saw him frequently linked to a move away from his ‘dream club’ to join Manchester United – De Jong has settled under Xavi and become a stalwart in the club legend’s side. 

Head coach Xavi Hernandez described his midfielder’s injury as a ‘big loss’ to the titleholders

The head coach had an understandably pessimistic response to his injury on Saturday, calling De Jong ‘a key player’. 

‘It’s a big loss,’ he shared after the final whistle. ‘It’s a tough one because of the way we play and the level he has been at. He’s a key player for us, he has been really good since last season.’

But Xavi looked for the silver lining after the incident, adding: ‘We have options to come in for him, so hopefully we won’t suffer too much. 

‘We will see how he is after the (October) international break. That’s all we can say for now.’

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Married At First Sight UK‘s latest season has been hit with accusations of fakery – sparking questions over the authenticity of the show. 

As with many previous seasons, questions have been asked about what goes on behind the scenes, with Channel 4 frequently being forced to weather claims of falsehood, most recently with the show’s first transgender star Ella Morgan. 

Channel 4 was embroiled in a fakery row after pretending that groom appearing on their reality show Married At First Sight UK was unaware he had been paired up with a transgender woman – before later revealing he had been told in advance.

As well as the tip off, some of the contestants have been spotted on other shows, including Laura Vaughan, who dated Gary Lucy on Celebs Go Dating last year. 

Laura was not the only star who has previously sought love on TV as it was revealed that groom Luke Worley, appeared on Davina McCall‘s short-lived The Language Of Love dating show two years ago. 

Oops! Married At First Sight UK ‘s latest season has been hit with accusations of fakery – sparking questions over the authenticity of the show

Shock: As with many previous seasons, questions have been asked about what goes on behind the scenes, with Channel 4 frequently being forced to weather claims of falsehood, most recently with the show’s first transgender star Ella Morgan

There she is! As well as the tip off, some of the contestants have been spotted on other shows, including Laura Vaughan, who dated Gary Lucy on Celebs Go Dating last year

Star: Laura was not the only star who has previously sought love on TV as it was revealed that groom Luke Worley, appeared on Davina McCall’s short-lived The Language Of Love dating show two years ago

On Monday, the show launched, during which viewers saw Ella, who was born male and transitioned into a woman when she was 18, wed Nathanial.

Channel 4 were forced to divulge that bosses had informed him in advance. 

In a statement, the network says: ‘This is the first time MAFS UK has featured a trans bride so, to ensure fully informed consent, and with the permission of the bride, the groom was told that the match found for him was a trans woman, after which both parties chose to continue in the process.

‘In all other ways, the integrity of the format was preserved. Our priority during matchmaking is to protect the wellbeing of the cast and create compatible matches, based on detailed assessment of individual preferences, as part of an in-depth, careful matchmaking process.’

Addressing claims on Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp last week, the dating professionals Mel Schilling and Paul C Brunson insisted ‘this is not a gotcha moment’ and explained that they did have the groom’s consent beforehand.

Following the episode, a viewer wrote: ‘If that wasn’t proof of how staged #MAFSUK is . Paul literally said ‘with Ella’s permission, Nathanial has been informed his wife is trans’. But they did this big reveal with Ella really nervous???? Make it make sense.

They added that Ella was an ‘incredible role model’ and ‘having visibility of a trans woman’ was important on the show.

Aside from Ella’s situation, further questions sprung from other appearances. 

Love: On Monday, the show launched, during which viewers saw Ella Morgan, who was born male and transitioned into a woman when she was 18, wed Nathanial

Eek! Laura’s appearance on Celebs Go Dating saw her date Gary, however they soon parted ways opening her up for her next TV show

Nope! Laura does not seem overenamoured with her groom Arthur

There she is! Twitter users revealed they had taken note of the repeats

Laura’s appearance on Celebs Go Dating saw her date Gary, however they soon parted ways opening her up for her next TV show. 

One Twitter user shared the clip and penned a message reading: ‘People that have been on previous dating shows doing MAFS are just fake hungry, move aside and let real people go on #MAFSUK’.

Luke’s previous reality appearance saw Luke move to Spain with both British and Spanish singletons to find ‘the one’, with the show presenting a huge twist in that contestants won’t be able to speak the same language as each other.

Viewers swiftly noted the repeat appearance, as a Twitter users penned: ‘I remember Luke from that other dating show called Language Of Love #MAFSUK…

‘Language Of Love it was on Channel 4 I think last year. Got it! Luke was on Davina McCall’s The Language Of Love #MAFSUK… Luke was on that Language Of Love dating show last year if anyone else thought he looked familiar’.

The latest questions come after Nathanial and Ella’s relationship hit the rocks in Wednesday’s episode, after he dropped a bombshell during a furious row. 

While the pair’s romance had started well at their wedding, with Nathanial openly accepting his wife was transgender, things turned sour in Wednesday’s episode mere hours after arriving for their honeymoon in Mexico.

Nathanial claimed that Ella was keeping a secret from producers that she’d confessed to him behind closed doors, before claiming to the cameras that he was refusing to show any intimacy.

He then revealed that Ella used to work as a stripper, which she insisted she ‘wasn’t ashamed of.’

Could this spark one of the earliest splits in the show’s history? 

Explosive! The latest questions come after Nathanial and Ella’s relationship hit the rocks in Wednesday’s episode, after he dropped a bombshell during a furious row

Earlier in the day, Ella was forced to face her fears while cave-diving with Nathanial, leading him to admit she was being ‘dramatic’ about taking the leap.

Ella then confessed that there was a lack of ‘sexual chemistry’ and intimacy between them, and was starting to feel that they were more like friends.

Nathanial insisted that their sexual connection would come with time, but Ella questioned why he wasn’t performing any kind of romantic gestures.

The pair’s bickering led Ella to storm off in frustration, while Nathanial questioned why he’d even signed up for the show. 

The pair’s rows continued back at their room, when Ella accused Nathan of ‘acting,’ which he then threw straight back at her, claiming that her issues were little more than a performance for the cameras.

Things then went from bad to worse as Nathanial and Ella headed to the beach the next day, with the blonde ready to apologise after calling her husband a ‘p***k.’

She said: ‘The reason is I am like this is because I feel like we are not just friends’

Nathanial hit back: ‘Was it vindictive? Or was it the truth? I have concerns you’re not in this for the same reason as me. Everything that I know…’

Shocking: Nathanial claimed that Ella was keeping a secret from producers that she’d confessed to him behind closed doors

So much drama! He then revealed that Ella used to work as a stripper, which she insisted she ‘wasn’t ashamed of’

Is it over? The episode ended with Ella stood up by Nathaniel after she invited him to dinner as a peace offering

Ella then cut in: ‘I don’t understand what you’re on about,’ while Nathanial said: ‘What you can say in front of the cameras – you’re going back and forth because you are just lying again.’

He then declared: ‘You’ve lied because you’re a stripper,’ before storming off.

Breaking down in tears, Ella said: ‘I told him I’ve stripped in the past, it’s not something I’m ashamed of. 

‘But I am worried that’s the reason he’s not being intimate. There’s nothing I can do.’

As they prepared for the last night of their honeymoon, the newlyweds opted to keep some distance between them.

The episode ended with Ella stood up by Nathanial after she invited him to dinner as a peace offering.

Elsewhere in the episode, Rozz and Thomas struggled to move on from their awkward start to married life after jetting away for a ski retreat in Austria, while Laura claimed that Arthur was holding too much back on their honeymoon to Mexico.

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Really? Earlier in their honeymoon, Ella accused Nathan of ‘acting,’ which he then threw straight back at her, claiming that her issues were a performance for the cameras

Confronting him about his vows, which he’d taken from the internet, he admitted his wrongdoing and vowed to be more open moving forward. 

As their honeymoon came to a close, Arthur showed his commitment to Laura by re-writing his vows to her, and the pair sealed their marriage with a kiss.

But thinks were going far better for Jay and Luke, whose romance continued to blossom on their beach break in Grenada.

The pair even came close to consummating their marriage, but were sadly interrupted by their hotel housekeeper.

Married at First Sight UK continues on Thursday at 9pm on E4. 

Married At First Sight UK: Meet the series seven contestants

Name: Arthur 

Age: 23

From: London

Occupation: Tennis coach 

Why: ‘I’m ready to find the love of my life’ 

Name: Ella

Age: 29

From: Weston-Super-Mare

Occupation: Clinic Consultant

Why: ‘This experiment is so much more than just me getting married. I see this as a big deal for someone who has transitioned’

Name: Brad 

Age: 27

From: Grimsby

Occupation: Model

Why: ‘I trust the experts with all my heart that they have matched me well’

Name: Jay

Age: 31

From: Lancashire 

Occupation: Sales manager 

Why: Hopefully, they’ve found someone who is right for me and I do have faith that everything happens for a reason’

Name: Georges

Age: 30

From: Surrey

Occupation: Sports Rehabilitator 

Why: ‘I said to the Experts that I will give 120%. I trust them and I’m going to trust the process’

Name: Laura

Age: 34

From: Hampshire

Occupation: Finance Manager

Why: ‘I have my fingers firmly crossed for a positive outcome – I don’t want another divorce’

Name: Luke

Age: 30

From: Clacton

Occupation: Sales executive

Why: ‘I’m really open so I know I can make things work and build, I’m just hoping she has the same attitude’

Name: Peggy

Age: 32

From: Kent

Occupation: Technology risk partner

Why: ‘I want that lover and someone who can also be my best friend’

Name: Nathanial

Age: 36

From: Manchester

Occupation: Events marketing manager 

Why: ‘I don’t trust anyone but myself, but I hope they’ve done a good job that’s all I can say’

Name: Porscha 

Age: 36

From: London

Occupation: Executive assistant 

Why: ‘I’m trying not to think too much about the fact that I’m marrying a total stranger because I’ll probably psych myself out’

Name: Paul

Age: 26

From: Chesham

Occupation: Account manager

Why: ‘I hope the experts literally hand delivered my best friend and life partner’

Name: Rosaline

Age: 28

From: Crewe

Occupation: Florist

Why: ‘I’m excited, but I’m also feeling quite nervous. It doesn’t feel real1’

Name: Terence 

Age: 40

From: Reading

Occupation: Youth Worker/DJ

Why: ‘I’m looking forward to it and I’m excited. The only bit I’m worried about is whether she’ll like me’

Name: Shona

Age: 31

From: Nottingham

Occupation: Performing arts teacher

Why: ‘My happily ever after would be for him and I to go through the experiment and really try and grow together’

Name: Thomas

Age: 27

From: Wiltshire

Occupation: Investment communications

Why: ‘I’m excited to meet this person and see what we could do together’

Name: Tasha

Age: 25

From: Leeds

Occupation: Childcare assistant 

Why: ‘I have faith in the experts that I could find the love of my life – the Ant to my Dec!’

A former Russian spy who seduced foreign agents with her ‘pillow talk’ has launched a company teaching women how to get any man they want.

Aliia Roza, 39, was born behind the iron curtain in Kazakhstan, and spied for the Russian government shortly after the Soviet Union fell in 1991.

She said she was a ‘female James Bond‘ and became an expert in ‘the psychology of men’ until she was able to get top secret information by hitting on enemy agents.

No longer a spy, in July 2017 she launched her own private members club – teaching women how to bag any man they want.

Aliia teaches her 2,000 members that it doesn’t matter how you look – you can still get whatever you want from men, she claims.

She said the key is confidence – but her more controversial lessons include pretending you know secrets about your date to make them paranoid.

Aliia Roza is an expert in charming the opposite sex, having spent years in the military to become a master manipulator

Born in the USSR to a family consisting of several high-ranking generals, the now 36-year-old was expected to follow in their footsteps and enlisted to become a spy

Aliia was coached in manipulation, seduction, persuasion, and neuro-linguistic programming, with orders including going undercover to trap targets 

She gives exclusive one-to-one’s to other women on how to change their behaviour with sessions costing £200 per hour, with her latest business venture earning her up to £1.5 million per year.

Aliia’s private members club is ‘Super Lady’ where women get access to exclusive red carpet events hosted by brands like Versace and Chanel.

‘When I organise an event I invite them for fashion presentations or afternoon teas, I have access to celebrities and luxury fashion brands that it’s hard to get.

‘They come and meet each other, hang out, have a drink, and get really exclusive access.’

Aliia, who is based in LA, but who leads a jet-setting lifestyle frequently taking her to Europe, said: ‘When I was in school I was nerdy and bullied.

‘I was the only Asian looking person amongst a crowd of white people, and the kids bullied me.

‘They used to call me ugly because I had pimples. I was very insecure.

‘Both my mother and father were part of the Soviet secret services, so I guess it was natural for me to go into it too.’

‘KGB seduction techniques are not sustainable because they are too powerful; this knowledge can kill’ – she says

Aliia, who has been married five times, said: ‘The worst thing you can do when trying to seduce someone is focusing on provocation, addiction, or obsession’

‘They taught me everything about spying, how to walk, how to put on makeup, and, most importantly, how to understand the psychology of men.

‘It was like being a female James Bond.

Aliia’s top five tips for wooing a man 

Aliia’s easy to follow tips for seduction:

– Never give direct answers to questions

– Never sleep with a man on the first date

– Worship yourself in the mirror to build your self confidence

– Get aroused before a date

– Pretend you have heard something about the man you are dating – and keep them guessing what it is

‘They created our charisma – our aura – and taught us the best techniques to seduce people.

‘All these techniques I have since adapted to my daily life.

‘Whether you are overweight, short, whatever, it’s all about charisma.

‘The best thing to do is to stand in front of a mirror and look at yourself everyday and find five features you like about yourself.

‘It doesn’t matter what it is – it can be a facial feature, or even your feet or hands.

‘It’s like tricking your brain into thinking ‘I’m a goddess’.

‘Once you induce a man’s natural desires, you can get any man you want.’

When she was 17, Aliia was approached by the FSB – formerly the KGB – to be trained in the dark arts of espionage, she claims.

Aliia says the secret to seducing men – whether as a spy or a civilian – is confidence, and this is the basis of her lessons in her new club.

‘Just like they taught me in spy school, it all comes from your mood,’ she said.

Five times married Aliia says women looking to attract men should ‘be horny’ when they meet up with a man.

‘It’s all about inducing a man’s animal desires,’ she said.

Another of Aliia’s tips is that women should try to arouse themselves before a date. 

‘A woman needs to worship herself everyday, and slowly their confidence becomes stronger.

‘She will start to feel the eyes from other men.’

Aliia also says women should never have sex with men on the first date if they really want a guy.

‘Sex is appreciated more if it is not granted to the man straight away,’ she said.

‘In recent years, men have also become less confident in approaching women for fear of how they will be perceived’ – Aliia says 

‘I once went to the beach myself and brought a large adjustable wrench, several men asked about it, we joked and then started to get to know each other’ – Aliia opines 

‘It’s like limited edition. You seduce the brain first, then sex is a big prize for a man and you should never give up the biggest prize in the first date.’

‘It’s like Cinderella; the prince wouldn’t find her if she was there all the time. It’s all about building intrigue. Don’t be an open book.’

And the leftfield advice doesn’t stop there, with Aliia also claiming ‘never giving a direct answer’ is another essential tip to leaving men smitten.

She added: ‘If a man asks you a direct question, a good response is to say… why don’t you guess?’

‘This adds to your intrigue, and keeps men guessing.’

And if that doesn’t work, Aliia has an even more controversial trick.

‘You can say something like, ‘I heard something from your friends’, but don’t tell them what it is,’ she said.

‘Maybe it’s a bit mean, but you make up that you’ve heard something and never tell them what it is.

‘It works every time, then the guy will think ‘Oh my god what happened, maybe she met my ex!’

‘It will make his brain start to think about the woman even more.’

Aliia claims she ‘studied on the same programme as Putin’ but says his attack on the Ukraine is ‘unforgivable’.

‘A few years ago, the Russian gov contacted me again, and said they had more missions for me,’ she said.

‘I said f*** no – never ever.

‘I want to live a normal life and use my skills for good.’

The first pictures have emerged showing the devastation of a Russian strike submarine caused by a Storm Shadow missile. 

The £250 million Kilo-class attack vessel Rostov-on-Don was hit on 13 September in a repair shipyard in the Russian-held Black Sea port of Sevastopol, in annexed Crimea.

The images, obtained by Conflict Intelligence Team’s investigative journalists, show the scale of the damage dealt to the submarine as it sat in the dry dock. 

It appears to have been hit twice by missiles supplied to Ukraine by Britain and France, both of which left gaping holes in the hull and wrecked the internal mechanics. 

The CIT report suggests that the submarine’s living compartments and other areas were also damaged, meaning the Rostov-on-Don will likely take no further part in the war.

Conflict Intelligence Team shares pictures of major damage to Rostov-on-Don submarine after 13 September 2023 Storm Shadow attack on Sevastopol

The images, obtained by Conflict Intelligence Team’s investigative journalists, show the scale of the damage dealt to the submarine as it sat in the dry dock.

Carnage on Putin’s large landing warship Minsk, following Ukrainian missile attack on Sevastopol shipyard

A mast aboard the Minsk is seen damaged following the strike

Rostov-on-Don submarine (pictured) was put out of action in an early morning missile attack on Crimea on September 13, 2023

One large hole ‘is located on top of the bow of the submarine’ as indicated by previous satellite images of the stricken vessel which has been used by Putin to strike Ukraine during the war.

‘The second hit was on the starboard side of the boat in the area behind the command point.

‘It, unlike the first one, cannot be recorded from satellite images,’ the report said. 

The shipyard strike also caused severe damage to the large landing ship Minsk.

Some Ukrainian sources have claimed Russia has concealed the deaths of 24 people in the strike. 

On the same day, a ‘Sea Baby’ kamikaze drone damaged Russian missile hovercraft Samum near Sevastopol harbour, while a marine drone also damaged the Vasily Bykov patrol ship.

The strikes on the Black Sea port come as the European Union gears up for a fight over what should be included in its 12th package of sanctions over Russia’s war in Ukraine, Bloomberg News reported on Monday.

The new measures, which could be presented as early as next month, would likely include the EU’s version of the upcoming G7 ban on purchases of Russian diamonds and possibly a long-awaited proposal to use the profits generated by frozen central bank assets to aid Kyiv, the report added citing people familiar with discussions.

Meanwhile in Russia, China’s top diplomat is heading to Moscow to discuss military and security cooperation between the two nations. 

Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who simultaneously holds the ruling Communist Party’s top foreign policy post, will be in Russia from Monday to Thursday for China-Russia strategic security consultations, the Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement.

The U.S. and China are at odds over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

China has refrained from taking sides in the war, saying that while a country’s territory must be respected, the West needs to consider Russia’s security concerns about NATO expansion. 

It has accused the U.S. of prolonging the fighting by providing arms to Ukraine, weaponry that the U.S. says is needed to defend against Russian aggression.

Chinese Communist Party’s foreign policy chief Wang Yi will be in Moscow for security meetings this week

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on the draft of 2024 federal budget and the planning period of 2025 and 2026, via video link at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia September 18, 2023

Wang’s trip to Moscow comes a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un left Russia following a six-day visit that included talks with President Vladimir Putin at a far eastern spaceport, visits to aircraft plants and inspections of nuclear-capable strategic bombers and an advanced warship. 

China and Russia have grown closer as relations with the West have deteriorated for both, and China is looking for support as it seeks to reshape the U.S.-led international order into one that is more accommodating to its approach. 

Last month, it helped engineer an expansion of the BRICS partnership, which invited six more countries to join what has been a five-nation bloc that includes China and Russia.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called Wang’s visit to Russia a routine one to hold in-depth talks on major strategic security interests.

Wang stepped down as foreign minister at the end of last year, taking on the more senior position of Communist Party foreign affairs chief, but was called back as foreign minister in July after his successor, Qin Gang, disappeared from public view. 

It’s unclear what happened to Qin, but he may have fallen out of favour with the leadership.

More recently, China’s defence minister, Li Shangfu, also has not been seen in about three weeks, sparking speculation about his fate. 

It’s unusual for two sitting Cabinet members to disappear from sight, although it doesn’t appear to signal any obvious change in defence or foreign policy.

The Chinese government has said nothing about Li’s disappearance. Asked about it on Monday, Mao, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said she was not aware of the situation.

Strictly Come Dancing’s first live show ratings drop again for a second year with the opening competition night watched by an average of 6.1M

By Geraint Llewellyn For Mailonline

Published: 08:39 EDT, 17 September 2023 | Updated: 08:49 EDT, 17 September 2023

The first live show of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing saw it’s ratings fall again with an average 6.1M tuning in on Saturday, according to overnight ratings.

This was a drop for the second year in row, after an average of 6.8M watched the launch in 2022 after the glitzy show previously drew in a whopping 7.9M in 2021. 

Saturday launch saw the 15 celebs paired with their pro partners, attracting a peak of 6.7M viewers.

Last year’s launch received an average of 6.8million viewers, peaking at 7.2 million. 

MailOnline have contacted the BBC for comment. 

Dipping down: The first live show of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing saw it’s ratings fall again with an average 6.1M tuning in on Saturday, according to overnight ratings

New figures: Saturday launch saw the 15 celebs paired with their pro partners , attracting a peak of 6.7M viewers  (judge Shirley Ballas pictured) 

Strictly viewers already tipped who they think will win the new series after the launch saw the celebs take to the dance floor for the first time in a disco themed group routine. 

And fans predicted Layton Williams would make history by becoming the show’s first ever winning same-sex pairing alongside pro Nikita Kuzmin.

It comes despite the series facing a ‘fix’ row after fans claimed the actor had an unfair advance following his West End appearances and Stage School training. 

Following the performance, viewers took to Twitter in their droves with one writing:  ‘Same gender couple gonna win it this year I can feel it in my bones!!!!!’.

A second said: ‘I’ve already chosen who I think will win! That Leyton chap… mind you… it helps he’s already a dancer’.

A third wrote: ‘From the dance by all, Layton and Nikita stood out’.

And: ‘Yeah Layton Williams is gonna win this’. 

With someone else branding his performance: ‘Winner vibes’.  

Dipping down: This was a drop for the second year in row, after an average of 6.8M watched the launch in 2022 after the glitzy show previously drew in a whopping 7.9M in 2021. (Will Mellor and his professional partner Nancy Xu pictured on show in 2022)

Impressive: And fans predicted Layton Williams (L) would make history by becoming the show’s first ever winning same-sex pairing alongside pro Nikita Kuzmin (R) 

Dancing shows: Meanwhile on the other end of the scale Les Dennis, 69, failed to impress while others said it was too early to rule him out (Les Dennis pictured with pro partner Nancy Xu)

Another fan wrote: ‘That was brilliant! Layton is fabulous by the way’. 

And: ‘Yep, after that opening routine I am putting my money on Layton and Nikita’.

Meanwhile on the other end of the scale Les Dennis, 69, failed to impress while others said it was too early to rule him out. 

One fan said: ‘I fear Les Dennis is the runt of the litter’. 

While another wrote: ‘Don’t completely write off Les – He’s got a background in theatre so he’ll be good at storytelling and he does show some Rhythem. It’ll be interesting to see how Nancy adapts her choreography for an older Celeb like Les’.

Earlier in the show Strictly Come Dancing paid an emotional tribute to Amy Dowden after the dancer was forced to miss the series’ glitzy launch.

Love: Earlier in the show Strictly Come Dancing paid an emotional tribute to Amy Dowden after the dancer was forced to miss the series’ glitzy launch 

Tribute: Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly called her the show’s ‘Welsh Dragon’ as they dedicated the judge’s and professional dancers routine to her (Amy pictured) 

Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly called her the show’s ‘Welsh Dragon’ as they dedicated the judges and professional dancers’ routine to her. 

Caerphilly born Amy, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier in May, and began chemotherapy after doctors discovered another type of cancer in her body, meaning she was unable to be paired with a celebrity for the new series. 

Ahead of the show-stopping routine Tess said: ‘We are of course, missing one of our professional dancers. 

‘Our gorgeous Amy Dowden is unwell and she can’t be with us for the start of the series’. 

She went on: ‘But she is our Welsh dragon and we know she will be back soon’. 

Claudia then interjected saying: ‘Amy from all your Strictly family we are sending all our love and we cannot wait to have you back on the dance floor’. 

With Tess adding: ‘This [dance] is for you!’.

Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Who are the couples?

 Nigel Harman and Katya Jones

 Bobby Brazier and Diane Buswell

Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe

 Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima

 Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice

 Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington

 Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley

 Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu

 Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola

 Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk

 Jody Cundy and Jowita Przystał

 Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin

Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez 

 Les Dennis and Nancy Xu

 Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer

 

 

 

 

Stunning portraits showcase the softer side of the Big Apple, with incredible images illustrating raw and remarkable moments from across New York.  

Photographer Phil Penman took to the city’s streets each day between 2019 and 2023 and captured a series of sensitive moments as the world stood still during the pandemic. 

His moving black-and-white pictures, published in his new book New York Street Diaries, give a glimpse at the calm and tranquil side of the city during lockdown. 

For more than three decades, Penman, who was born in Dorset, has been working as a professional photographer, boasting an extensive catalog, including his spellbinding images of Michael Jackson, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez or Bill Gates. 

Penman says he quickly grasped how important it was to document what was happening inside one of the world’s greatest cities at such a sensitive time. 

When tragedy struck New York on 11 September 2001, Penman was there with his camera documenting history as the terrifying scenes unraveled before his eyes.  

‘The Covid 19 pandemic was no different,’ Penman told DailyMail.com. ‘I knew that we were going through a life changing event. 

‘For me, my life as it was, started and ended on September 11th. I feel for a lot of us, it was the same during COVID 19. 

‘We were going through something the world had not seen for a long time. Hopefully something we will never have to bear witness to again.’ 

Each day he would head out early in the morning until late at night trying to take as many pictures as he could.

He says the pandemic taught him ‘just how much we all need each other’.

‘I would go out capturing the streets as I saw them. Gone was the hustle and bustle of the streets. Instead, we would see seagulls on 8th Avenue, or hear birds chirping, and the sounds of ambulance sirens in the background. Another loved one that had been taken away from us by the horrific Covid 19 virus.

‘Out of the shadows had come the homeless population. These were the people I would chat with day to day. No longer were they asking for money, but instead a mask or some food. Long had they relied on the food left out the back of the restaurants. This sadly no longer existed due to the restaurants being closed.

‘I remember walking one day down Broadway. I saw someone’s home being thrown into the back of a sanitation truck. Next to the truck stood the owner, a man wearing a jacket, that said “F**k Everything”.

‘I went up to this man and asked if I could photograph the jacket. He replied “Where are you from?” I said “England”. 

‘It turned out that we had grown up about 10 miles away from each other in the county of Dorset. Now we found each other in the middle of a pandemic lockdown chatting on the streets of New York.

‘It’s been rewarding to receive all the great message from people all around the world who have bought the book and how it means so much to them that this time period was captured.’

A series of stunning images showcase the big Apple in all its glory with portraits illustrating New York’s style including this breathtaking view from Top of the Rock showing the Empire State Building 

The Statue of Liberty watches over a man sleeping on the Staten Island Ferry during the Coronavirus outbreak in March, 2020

An elderly woman wearing a dress-up mask stops to pose for a photo on Halloween night at Washington Square Park in October, 2019 

An awe-inspiring picture from inside ‘The Summit’ on 42nd Street of the Empire State Building

A shirtless sporting jeans and a tribal headpiece seen near the Port Authority Building in March, 2019 

A masked person walks past a street mural in midtown in March, 2020 

Locals seen walking navigating the blustery conditions as rain falls on Radio City in March, 2018 

A couple seen sitting next to two skeletons outside a restaurant in Soho during Halloween, 2022 

A man walks along an empty street during a snowstorm in February 2021 

A photo of  a sign taken outside a New York city church reads ‘we are praying – and listening to the scientists’ 

A man slumps in his wheelchair near a poster which says ‘life sucks’ 

A skateboarder on 5th Avenue sports checkered pants while standing on a pedestrian cross 

A sign hangs in a window display on Broadway, New York City, saying: ‘hands up if you’re vaccinated’ 

Low clouds seen hanging over New York from Central Park on April 9, 2020 

An eerie image shows an unusually empty space outside Radio City Music Hall in April, 2020 

A fashionable young woman is seen in Soho walking by a poster tagged ‘We Are The Walking Dead’ in February, 2020 

Charlie (ex-military from just north of Toronto, Canada) got stuck in New York once the Pandemic hit

A restaurant sign on 42nd Street reads ‘now delivering to The Hamptons’ beside an image of the Mona Lisa wearing a mask 

Two women are seen going about their days in Harlem before the pandemic in June, 2018

Photographer Phil Penman’s new book New York Street Diaries gives a glimpse at the tranquil side of the city with images of New York characters like this man striking a pose beside a portable stereo in Washington Square 

A man walks with an umbrella overhead on a foggy day in midtown Manhattan in June, 2019 

The Empire State Building shot through the Washington Square arch in February, 2019 

New Yorkers walk from one side of 5th Avenue to the other in March, 2020

On a snowy day in January 2018, Penman captured this image of the Flatiron Building

As the world stood still during the Covid-19 lockdown, Penman took to the streets in snow and wind to capture the softer side of New York

The US has begun to feel a bit of chill in the air and that means fall is upon us, when bright green leaves change into hues of orange, yellow and brown. 

If you’re wondering when your city is going to be covered in beautiful fall foliage, then this interactive map predicting peaking viewing dates should help out. 

The new season has already begun arriving in New England and in some parts of Washington, North Dakota and Montana. 

By September 25, all of the northern states and some parts of the west coast will be covered in fall colors.   

States in the Midwest such as Iowa, Kansas and Ohio will be completely enveloped in fall colors by October 9 but those in the south will have to wait until October 30 to see the first signs of the season.

Although by November 13, only southern states which include Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida will have foliage, while the rest of the country will be past its peak season. 

The map, which can be viewed at SmokyMountains.com, was created by David Angotti. 

By September 25, all of the northern states and some parts of the west coast will be covered in fall colors

States in the Midwest such as Iowa , Kansas and Ohio will be completely enveloped in fall colors by October 9.

Except for the southern states, all other parts of the country will be covered in fall colors. 

The predictive map uses a complex algorithm that computes over 37,000 pieces of information in order to accurately forecast when fall peak will occur at the county-level.

And although it is not 100 percent accurate, it is a tool used by avid leaf peepers to plan their annual trips to see the spectacular colors around the nation. 

Leaves can change their color from as early as mid-September all the way through early November. Usually, the second and third week of October are marked as the peak times but with it can vary depending on location and local weather conditions. 

When fall leaves drop to the ground, they gradually break down and create a nutrient-rich layer on the forest floor. This layer acts like a sponge, soaking up water and providing food for trees and plants. It helps them grow healthy in the spring.

By the end of October, all of the US will  be experiencing fall foliage and most northern states will be past their peak time

By November 13, only the southern states which includes Arkansas, Texas , Oklahoma and Florida will host foliage, while the rest of the country will be past its peak foliage season

So, while leaves falling in the fall protect trees during winter, they also help trees survive and thrive in the spring and summer. This natural cycle keeps trees healthy and sustainable year after year. 

The green in the map highlights trees that have not yet changed color and brown is past peak viewing, but the two shades of red indicate ‘near peak’ and ‘peak.’

Compared to last year, fall foliage is set to arrive sooner in 2023. Most of the country was experiencing the season by October 17 in 2022 but by October 9 this year, a majority of states will be covered in fall colors. 

Data has shown that climate change is the reason why fall has arrived early in the US and other parts of the world. 

Fall foliage shows changing colors in Woodstock, New Hampshire, USA in October last year. Due to climate change, US will see the onset of fall earlier than the last year

The reason why climate change is bad for fall foliage has a bit to do with plant biology. 

When days get shorter and and temperatures drop, the chlorophyll in leaves breaks down which causes it to lose its green color. The green gives way to the yellows, reds and oranges that make for dramatic autumn displays. 

As the planet gets warmer, dry regions are expected to get drier and wet regions will receive more precipitation. This extreme weather caused trees stress in areas that receive bare minimum rainfall. 

This stress can cause leaves to miss the fall color turn completely and simply die and fall off instead of following its natural process. 

These trends impact the aesthetics of fall foliage, in addition to raising concerns about agriculture and water supplies and are expected to become more drastic in the future. 

Reba star Melissa Peterman hosting brand new game show Person, Place Or Thing – set to debut this fall

By Christine Rendon For Dailymail.com

Updated: 13:28 EDT, 3 September 2023

A brand new game show certain to delight America is headed to television screens this fall.

The fast-paced game show, Person, Place or Thing, will be debuting on Fox Television Stations in the autumn, Deadline reported.

The half-hour show will be hosted by Reba star Melissa Peterman, 52, and sees contestants ‘ask “yes” or “no” questions to correctly determine the identity of a person, place, or thing,’ according to the outlet.

The program combines comedy with common knowledge and was created by Jeff Proctor and Paul Franklin.

Fox First Run will distribute 180 episodes of the game show, which last summer enjoyed a successful four-week long test run. 

Game on! Reba star Melissa Peterman will be the host of the new game show Person, Place or Thing

Proctor, Franklin, Peterman executive produce the show alongside Tracy Verna and David Hurwitz.

‘I’ve been trying to get Melissa to host one of our game shows for years,’ Stephen Brown, EVP of Programming and Development for Fox First Run and Fox Television Stations, told Deadline. ‘Her upbeat energy and comic timing work perfectly on Person, Place and Thing.’

Proctor and Franklin said: ‘We came together to create something fun, familiar, and lighthearted that the entire family can enjoy.

‘Partnering with former colleagues at Fox First Run and adding Melissa as the ideal host to make viewers laugh and want to play along will make this show a hit.’

Peterman said: ‘I’m excited to return to working with Stephen Brown and the team at Fox on a game show that is truly for everyone. This is a game for the 21st Century, with twists and turns that will keep people guessing. I promise that viewers will be shouting answers at the TV from home, but I can’t promise we’ll hear them. I can’t wait to get started.’

Peterman is a television veteran with numerous credits under her name, including the comedy series Baby Daddy. 

But fans may best remember her as the lovable dental hygienist Barbra Jean Booker Hart in the hit comedy series Reba.

She has continued working with country songstress Reba McEntire even after their show went off the air, with the duo recently appearing together in the Lifetime movie, Reba McEntire’s The Hammer. 

Think fast! The game show, Person, Place or Thing, will be debuting on Fox Television Stations in the fall

Friends forever! ‘I met her on the show and we’ve been friends ever since,’ Peterman said of her co-star Reba McEntire 

Superstars: Country music icon Dolly Parton once appeared on the show 

‘I love you to the moon and back’: Peterman wished Reba a happy 68th birthday earlier this year with this fun moon landing snap 

‘I met her on the show and we’ve been friends ever since,’ Peterman said of meeting Reba on the set of her eponymous show during an interview with KTLA 5.  

Back in March, when Reba celebrated her 68th birthday, Peterman marked the occasion with a triumphant photo of the country songstress striking a pose before the moon landing.

‘Happy Birthday Reba. I love you to the moon and back. #facts @reba #happybirthday #reba,’ she posted to Instagram.

Outside of her showbiz career, Peterman has been married to John Brady for 24 years. They have son Riley together. 

Girls brawl over porta potty outside country music singer Morgan Wallen’s show in Pennsylvania

• The melee is said to have started at PNC Park on Wednesday night during a Morgan Wallen concert 
• Shocking footage shared on social media shows four women fighting, after one of them is said to have cut the line
• One woman can be seen grabbing the hair of another and viciously punching her in the video 

By Joe Hutchison For Dailymail.Com

Updated: 00:20 EDT, 1 September 2023

Several woman have been caught on camera in an all-out brawl over a porta potty during a Morgan Wallen concert.

The melee is said to have erupted at the country music singer’s show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday night.

The event had been taking place at PNC Park, home to the Pittsburgh Pirates, when the fight erupted at the bathrooms.  

In the video, which has been shared on social media, two women can be seen arguing outside a row of red porta pottys. 

One of them can be heard saying: ‘F*** you. You do not cut in front of me.’

A bystander who was exiting one of the portable toilets at the time can be seen looking shocked as the two tussle

The argument over the toilets quickly turned violent and involved four women all lashing out at each other

Quickly, the argument turns violent as they begin grabbing at one another before one of them manages to push the other backwards into the toilets. 

A bystander who was exiting one of the portable toilets at the time can be seen looking shocked as the two tussle. 

Another woman then joins in on the fight as it moves into one of the toilets, with the two of them now pinning the other woman down. 

Seemingly out of nowhere, another woman turns up on the scene and begins pulling the two women from on top of the other. 

Grabbing one of them by the hair, she viciously punches the woman in the face as a man tries to extinguish the situation. 

The melee eventually quietens down as more people move in to split up the fighting parties. 

On social media users started commenting on the video, which has been viewed over 3.5 million times.

Bar Stool Sports creator Dave Portnoy even waded in, saying: ‘The blonde girl can play for me any day. Came in and handled this situation.’

Another woman then joins in on the fight as it moves into one of the toilets, with the two of them now pinning the other woman down

Morgan Wallen performs onstage at The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee

Social media users started commenting on the video, which has been viewed over 3.5 million times

Another user commented: ‘Everyone’s posting this, even Morgan Wallen must’ve seen this by now.’ 

One other joked: ‘A huge opportunity was missed here to lock 4 of them in there together and then tip it over.’

Wallen’s One Night at a Time World Tour dates in Pittsburgh had been rescheduled from June 14-15 after the singer reported vocal injuries in May.

The show also featured country acts Parker McCollum, Bailey Zimmerman, and Ernest.

Lucy Letby‘s parents have not turned up to see their daughter sentenced after she was confirmed as the most prolific child serial killer in modern British history.

The nurse’s parents, Susan, 63, and John, 77, were a constant presence during her ten-month trial at Manchester Crown Court and attended every day.

But they were not present for the final verdicts last Friday, and again failed to turn up this morning for the sentencing hearing as she faces a whole-life order.

Mr and Mrs Letby had been so determined to hear all the evidence against their daughter that they relocated to Manchester from their home in Hereford.

But earlier last week, Mrs Letby broke down in court as the guilty verdicts began to be returned, crying out: ‘You can’t be serious. This cannot be right.’

John and Susan Letby, the parents of nurse Lucy Letby, arrive at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday last week (August 17, 2023) – the last time they were in court for the case

Lucy Letby last week refused to return to the dock as the jury continued to return verdicts 

Lucy Letby’s parents John and Susan Letby arrive at Manchester Crown Court last Thursday

Lucy Letby is pictured as a child (left) and following her graduation (right) in December 2011, which her parents marked with an announcement in their local paper, the Hereford Times

Last week, Letby refused to return to the dock as the jury continued to return verdicts and the court was told she did not want to take any part in her sentencing hearing, and would not follow the hearing via video-link from prison.

She again refused to attend court today, despite being brought there in a prison van.

The nurse murdered seven babies and tried to kill six more while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit between 2015 and 2016.

Investigators suspect Letby had told her parents scant detail about the crimes she was being accused of before it was laid out in front of them in court.

A source told the Daily Mail last week that Letby’s mother was distraught when she was arrested in 2018 – wailing, crying and even telling police, ‘I did it, take me instead,’ in a desperate bid to protect her.

At the time of Letby’s arrest, her parents’ neighbours told The Times that the family were devastated.

One was reported as having said: ‘She’s an only child. Do I have to say anymore? I just feel for them so much. I feel so helpless that there is nothing we can do.’

Retail boss John and Susan, an accounts clerk, raised Letby as an only child in a 1930s semi-detached home in a cul-de-sac.

They still live in the same house – which they bought shortly after their marriage – and holiday in Torquay three times a year, taking Letby with them right up until she was arrested in July 2018.

Nothing suggests Mr and Mrs Letby were anything but caring parents who showered their daughter with love from the moment she was born – five months after they married in July 1989.

Growing up, Letby was a ‘delight’ to her parents – neighbours remembered.

She had a part-time job at WH Smith in the city, and her parents were immensely proud when she became the first in their family to go to university.

October 4, 2022: John and Susan Letby at Manchester Crown Court just before her trial began

Lucy Letby listens to the verdicts being read at Manchester Crown Court on August 11

When she attained her honours degree they marked her graduation, in December 2011, with an announcement in their local paper, the Hereford Times.

Alongside a picture of her wearing a mortarboard and clutching her degree certificate, they wrote: ‘Letby Lucy BSc Hons in Child Nursing. We are so proud of you after all your hard work. Love Mum and Dad.’

A similar announcement, with an accompanying photograph of Letby as a young child, was also placed in the same newspaper to mark her 21st birthday.

But texts Letby exchanged with colleagues hinted she sometimes felt smothered by her mother and father and guilty about moving away. She explained they missed her and hated her living alone.

She appeared to speak or text them every day and described them as ‘suffocating at times’. She told one doctor friend who was considering moving to New Zealand that she could never do that as it would ‘completely devastate’ them.

‘Find it hard enough being away from me now and it’s only 100 miles,’ she said.

In a message to another friend, she wrote: ‘My parents worry massively about everything & anything, hate that I live alone etc.

‘I feel bad because I know it’s really hard for them especially as I’m an only child, and they mean well, just a little suffocating at times and constantly feel guilty.’

Mrs Letby sometimes broke into tears in court during the trial and appeared anxious during breaks when her daughter was undergoing particularly tough periods of questioning by the prosecution.

As the guilty verdicts were returned, Mrs Letby broke into a series of anguished sobs which continued even after she had left the court. 

WATCH THE MAIL’S LUCY LETBY DOCUMENTARY IN FULL HERE