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BOXING fans are convinced another world title could be in the offing for Anthony Joshua after seeing his latest training clips.

The former two-time unified heavyweight champion is at a career crossroads following a devastating fifth-round KO defeat to former sparring partner Daniel Dubois last September.

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Anthony Joshua hasn’t fought since his crushing loss to Daniel Dubois[/caption]

INSTAGRAM @ANTHONYJOSHUA

AJ recently shared footage of himself shadowboxing to his Instagram[/caption]

INSTAGRAM @ANTHONYJOSHUA

Boxing fans were quick to comment on his technique[/caption]

Joshua, 35, has been recovering from niggling injuries since the Wembley war but is slowly but surely ramping up training.

The London 2012 gold medallist recently shared videos of himself shadowboxing with his near 17 million Instgram followers.

AJ looked to be in tip-top shape, as he always does.

But viewers of the clip were more impressed by his keeping up of his hands as he threw combinations.

After the clip was shared on X, one commented: “He looks in great shape, he’s going to return with a win.”

Another said: “He’s keeping his hands up, needs to make sure he does that in his next fight.”

And another said: “Yeah now he needs to keep them up, especially so he doesn’t visit hook city.”

One remarked: “He needs to keep working on his defence to protect his chin.”

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Another optimistic AJ fan chimed in: “3x heavyweight champion coming soon.”

Joshua was on course for a historic Battle of Britain with Tyson Fury after his Brit rival’s back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024.

But Fury threw a spanner into the works of the mammoth melee by announcing his fifth retirement from the sport.

And Team AJ have pivoted from the fight, with promoter Eddie Hearn telling Betfred: “The number one choice for AJ is to fight for the world heavyweight title.

“That’s 99 per cent of what he wants to do and if that’s Daniel Dubois, no problem.

“If that’s Joseph Parker, no problem. If AJ turns around and says that’s what he’s doing, then it’s done.

“It’s not me saying he can’t fight Daniel Dubois. Some people say he shouldn’t have fought Oleksandr Usyk. What are you talking about?

“It’s your job, he’s the mandatory, what do you want to do?

“Give your belt up and have all that criticism that you ducked Usyk and you vacated your belt to do it?”

A BRITISH couple detained in Iran could be left to languish in a hellhole jail for years, sources fear.

Channel 4 stars Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested during a motorbike trip across the world.

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Lindsay and Craig Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran[/caption]

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They were on a round-the-world motorcycle trip[/caption]

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A picture was released showing Brit ambassador Hugo Shortner meeting with the couple, whose faces were blurred[/caption]

They ignored advice from family and the foreign office to go to Iran and were taken into custody on unspecified security charges in January

The couple, who previously appeared on Channel 4’s A New Life in the Sun, have now been charged with espionage and continue to be held in prison.

Iran’s regime has accused them of “collecting information in several provinces of the country” while “under the guise of investigative and research work”.

But insiders believe Iran’s merciless leaders have made a “fabricated case” to use Craig and Lindsay as pawns in their sick game to get Western countries to give in to their demands.

United Against Nuclear Iran’s (UANI) policy director Jason Brodsky told The Sun while they are unlikely to face execution, they could be jailed for years and face torture.

He said: “Iran uses hostage diplomacy as a means to extract concessions from Europe and the United States. 

“Hostages have languished for years behind bars in Iran. 

“The Iranian regime has executed dual-nationals previously, or those with Iranian citizenship in addition to American or European nationality. 

“Since the Foremans do not have dual-nationality, an execution is unlikely but the danger of harm remains.

“The Iranian regime employs both psychological and physical torture methods depending on the situation.”

Insiders and campaigners say it is likely the couple were arrested simply for being British.

It is feared they have been taken “hostage” to put pressure on the UK.

Hossein Abedini of the National Council of Resistance told The Sun: “Based on previous experiences, the clerical regime, involving the Ministry of Intelligence, creates a fabricated case and usually makes the conditions difficult in order to justify issuing fake verdicts. 

“All of these actions are aimed at gaining leverage from the country to which the hostages belong.

“Therefore, any verdicts could arise.

“This is a repetitive process that has occurred many times, but due to the concessions made by the West, the regime assesses this as a profitable business.

“The experience of the Iranian Resistance over 45 years of opposition to this regime shows that the regime only understands the language of firmness. 

“Therefore, although the regime has unfortunately suppressed and destroyed many movements in Iran, the Iranian Resistance has not only survived despite over a hundred thousand executions and severe repression, but has also grown. 

“This is because the Iranian Resistance has chosen the path of standing firm against the regime”

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The pair previously featured on Channel 4’s A New Life in the Sun[/caption]

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The couple were due to leave Iran on January 4[/caption]

Craig and Lindsay, both in their 50s, are being held in the southeastern city of Kerman, according to state media.

Iran’s judiciary claims they were “cooperating with covert institutions linked to the intelligence services of hostile Western countries under the guise of investigative and research activities”.

Craig, a carpenter, and Lindsay, a life coach, were travelling through Iran on a round-the-world trip.

They arrived in the country from Armenia on December 30 and planned to leave on January 4 to head for Australia.

Once in Iran, they visited Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan – but failed to check into their hotel in Kerman.

Their detention only came to light last week after Iranian authorities released an image of them meeting with British ambassador Hugo Shorter.

Foreign Office guidance warns against all travel to Iran – warning Brits they can simply be detained for their nationality.

But the couple ignored risks and concerns from family and friends.

In a post the same day the couple arrived in Iran, they shrugged off the extreme risk.

They wrote: “Despite the advice of friends, family, and the FCDO (which strongly advises against travel to Iran for British nationals), we’ve chosen to keep moving forward.

“Why? Because we believe that, no matter where you are in the world, most people are good, kind humans striving for a meaningful life. Yes, we’re aware of the risks.

“We also know the rewards of meeting incredible people, hearing their stories, and seeing the breathtaking landscapes of these regions could far outweigh the fear.”

Following their arrest, a Foreign Office spokesman said they were “united in our determination to secure their safe return” – saying their detention “caused significant concern”.

Demands are again being made to label the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation.

UANI’s director of IRGC Research Kasra Aarabi told The Sun: “The IRGC has once again taken British nationals hostage in Iran. 

“This is the result of years of appeasing the Ayatollah’s regime. 

“Prime Minister Starmer must show leadership and immediately impose consequences on Tehran. 

“This should start with proscribing the IRGC as a terrorist group.”

CAT Deeley crashed the Reiss website last month, with fans scrambling for the yellow high-neck top she wore on This Morning.

We’ve scoured the brand’s sale for this season’s best looks.

Deeley has often featured other Reiss outfits on her Instagram series #CatsCloset, most recently donning an olive green flared trouser and roll neck combo.

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Cat Deeley often sports Reiss clothing from high-neck tops to high-waisted trousers, which quickly become fan favourites.[/caption]

Other celebs who love the brand include Princess Kate and Kate Garraway, who recently caused her own social media storm when she wore a waist-sinching, mocha-toned Reiss number.

The brand has a keen eye for upcoming trends and is no stranger when it comes to neutral and earthy tones, as well as high-neck and flared trouser pieces.

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Kate Garraway wore the Reiss Mocha Vinette Ribbed Roll Neck Belted Midi Dress on GMB.[/caption]

The Reiss sale has winter warmers for the remainder of the cold mornings, spring dresses and bikinis — or perhaps a bargain sundress to get you excited for summer.

Keep reading to find big discounts with prices starting at just £8, as the luxury brand drops to high-street pricetags in the Reiss outlet sale.

There is also free next-day delivery to your nearest store offered to get your items sooner.

Reiss ladies sale

If you’re a fan of Cat Deeley and Kate Garraway’s high-neck numbers, you’ll love the roll-neck tops on offer as well as the neutral-toned suits, trousers and jackets in the Reiss outlet sale.

Reiss tops sale

Harper Wool Slouched Sleeveless Top in Neutral, £68 £38

This elegant, sleeveless and slouched funnel neckline makes a perfect capsule wardrobe addition.

It can be dressed up or down and worn through seasonal changes.

The top is also available in a Toffee shade.

However, this seems to be a sought-after item, with the grey colourway already selling out — so act fast to avoid disappointment!

More Reiss tops deals:

• Florere Knitted Blouson Sleeve Shrug in Lime, £128 £50 – buy here
• Mira V-Neck Shell Top in Green, £68 £28 – buy here
• Louisa Ruched Jersey Top with Wool, £88 £38 – buy here
• Fina Satin Cowl-Neck Top, £118 £38 – buy here
  

Reiss trouser sale

Astrid Cotton Blend Wide Leg Trousers in Washed Black, £150 £48

These wide-leg trousers have a stretch quality to them as well as a high-rise silhouette, making them versatile and light enough for seasonal changes.

More Reiss trouser deals:

• Yara Petite Satin Elasticated Waist Wide Leg Trousers in Champagne, £118 £38 – buy here
• Freja Tapered Belted Trousers in Neutral, £128 £48 – buy here
• Lydia Double Pleat Wide Leg Tux Trousers in Cream, £168 £68 –buy here
• Madelyn Wide Leg Front Pleat Suit Trousers, £110 £48 – buy here

Reiss coat and suit sale

Simone Atelier Double-Breasted Crepe Suit Jacket in Green, £595 £298

This dark, olive suit is currently slashed by 50% and is a perfect pick for any spring events that might bring a chilly evening with them.

The suit also comes in an on-trend earthy rich tone, making it neutral enough for multiple occasions.

More Reiss coat and suit deals:

• Hanson Leather Trucker Jacket, £378 £198 – buy here
• Sadie Wool Double Breasted Suit Blazer, £278 £98 – buy here
• Dru Atelier Leather Latched-Collar Bomber Jacket, £448 £178 – buy here
• Florere Fluffy Cropped Jacket in Green, £148 £74 – buy here

Reiss dresses sale

Georgia Yellow Cowl Neck Seam Detail Midi Dress, £228 £88

This bright midi dress has a strong likeness to the Simone Drape-Neck Shell Top worn by Cat Deeley.

Ideal for spring days and summer events, it makes a nice colour pop in a neutral wardrobe.

More Reiss dress deals:

• Estel Atelier Strapless Crepe Bustier Jumpsuit, £395 £198 – buy here
• Selina Linen Belted Playsuit in Pink, £168 £98 – buy here
• Nina Belted Loopback-Jersey Jumpsuit in Khaki, £178 £58 – buy here
• Sloane Wool Ruche Detail Midi Dress in Camel, £188 £68 – buy here

You can find more of the Reiss outlet sale here, from menswear to accessories to beauty.

Is there a Reiss men’s sale?

Yes, the Reiss outlet sale also includes men’s clothing and accessories, with discounts starting at as little as £8.

The men’s outlet sale has everything from suits, shirts and smart shoes to fragrances, clip pins and cummerbund — perfect for race and wedding season.

When does the Reiss sale start?

The Reiss outlet sale is already well underway, with many colourways and basic items selling out already.

The brand has not announced how long the outlet sale will last for, but to avoid disappointment, we recommend scanning the site for the best deals sooner rather than later.

Reiss returns: Can you return Reiss sale items?

Reiss accepts returns on all items including full price and sale items.

Reiss’ returns policy includes free returns in-store to one of over 600 locations in the UK, including Next stores.

You have 28 days to return any items you are unhappy with and you will only be charged £1.95 if you arrange for your return to be collected by a courier.

Is Reiss a good brand?

Reiss has a positive brand reputation with a celebrity following.

Shoppers love that it offers luxury with a lower price tag without scrimping on quality.

Is Reiss owned by Next?

The retailer Next does own 72% of the brand, with the remaining percentage being split between the Reiss family and the company’s management team.

Does Reiss offer a discount code?

Reiss currently offers new customers 10% off their first order.

LOVE Island’s Ekin-Su and Curtis took a swipe at rivals Elma and Sammy following their clashes in the villa.

Both couples reached the Love Island All Stars final – but fell short of winning the £50,000 prize.

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Ekin-Su and Curtis took a swipe at their Love Island rivals[/caption]

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The pair had tension with fellow islanders Elma and Sammy[/caption]

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Both couples reached the All Stars series two final[/caption]

Ekin-Su and Curtis spoke to Amy Hart on the Love Island: The Morning After podcast following the finale.

Addressing tensions with Elma and Sammy, Curtis said: “I feel like the situations that went on… I don’t want to say we were in the wrong or the right.

“But I feel like we weren’t in the wrong.”

Ekin-Su continued: “I’m going to stand by that we were in the right. For me, that was not okay at the time.”

Meanwhile, Amy asked the new couple about who their closest friends were in the villa.

Former winner Ekin-Su first highlighted Nas Majeed and Oliver “Chuggs” Wallis as examples.

She added: “Catherine and Omar, I think Catherine’s one of my closest girls in here.

“Gabby, Grace… Elma, I do like but obviously in some situations, in that game thing, you kind of questioned a little bit.

“We’ve passed it now, you know.”

Viewers watched a rivalry develop between Ekin-Su and Elma towards the end of All Stars.

The once firm friends fell out when Ekin-Su gave Elma’s partner Sammy Root a peck on the lips during the heart rate challenge.

She had promised Elma not to kiss Sammy before doing the opposite.

Although Elma claimed she could “forgive” Ekin, she found the “forgetting” part harder.

Later, Curtis pointed out “spite” behind a question Elma and Sammy asked about him and Ekin in a villa game.

They wanted to know “do you think Curtis and Ekin-Su are the weakest couple?”

However, Elma had the smile wiped off her face when she was told the public think her age-gap with Sammy will have an impact on their relationship on the outside.

The two women also clashed after Elma told Curtis to “f*** off” during a spat with Elma refusing to say sorry.

Although she did later apologise, viewers reckoned they sussed out the “real reason” behind doing so – a day before the final.

One wrote: “Nah not Elma coming to apologise cos she was vulnerable and knows she’s no longer the favourite girl.”

Another added: “Elma saying sorry to Curtis one day before the final…… calculated.”

Ultimately, Elma & Sammy finished in fifth place while Ekin-Su & Curtis placed third.

Love Island airs on ITV2 and ITVX.

Eroteme

Eroteme

IS there anything more lovely than a newborn baby?

Most parents say they didn’t know what unconditional love felt like until their little bundle arrived.

And to show just how much they adore their new arrival, many mums and dads are choosing names with a love theme.

Pregnancy wellbeing experts One Tribe have now compiled a list of the sweet monikers and used the latest data from the Office of National Statistics to discover the top ten for girls.

And the top one is a Scots name.

A One Tribe spokeswoman said: “From timeless classics like Amy and Mabel to unique gems like Carys and Amora, these love-inspired baby girl names are perfect for parents looking for a name that radiates affection, warmth and devotion.”

Coming in at the head of the list is Bonnie. Officially the most popular love-inspired baby girl name in the UK, there were 1,346 babies born with the name in 2023.

Meaning “beautiful” or “charming”, it’s is often associated with warmth and affection.

The Scots word “bonnie” is actually derived from the French “bon” meaning “good”. With its sweet and timeless appeal, Bonnie is the perfect choice for a little girl who brings joy and love wherever she goes.

Number two on the list is Mila, with 1,127 baby girls given the name last year.

With Slavic origins, Mila means “gracious” or “dear” and is often used as a short form of names like Milena or Ludmila, which carry similar meanings.

Coming in third place is Mabel. This charming vintage name has Latin origins, derived from “Amabilis,” meaning “lovable”.

Mabel was widely popular in the Victorian era and has made a strong comeback in recent years.

Esme is number four on the ranking. With French and Persian origins, it means “beloved” or “esteemed”.

Number five on the list is Imogen which has Celtic and Old English origins, meaning “beloved child.”

The name gained prominence through Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline, where the character Imogen is depicted as loyal and devoted.

Amy comes in at number six and Cara in seventh place. Both have roots in Latin and mean “beloved”.

Eighth place is taken by Carys, a Welsh name which is a poetic expression of love.

Carys comes from the Welsh word “caru” meaning “to love” and it reflects deep affection and kindness.

Milena ranks ninth – a Slavic name that means love, grace and warmth.

And finally in tenth place is Amora, a Spanish and Latin name which directly translates to “love”.

making it one of the most romantic names on the list. Its lyrical sound and deep meaning make Amora an enchanting choice for a little girl destined to spread love and joy.

TAKE a look at the five bedroom Hollywood-style mansion in Dublin on Irish market for €2.5MILLION – and it comes with a pool and cinema.

This luxurious home, Holly Lodge, is located in Cenacle Grove, Co Dublin.

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The home is located near Dalkey village in Dublin[/caption]

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And it is now on the Irish market for €2.5million[/caption]

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The home comes with a range of high-end features and amenities[/caption]

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It features an open-plan kitchen that connects to the family room[/caption]

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The pad also comes with a games room[/caption]

Sitting on beautifully landscaped grounds of almost half an acre, the property is just a short stroll from Killiney Beach and a quick drive to Dalkey village.

The detached five-bedroom, eight-bathroom property extends to a whopping 498 square metres.

The listing reads: “Holly Lodge is an exceptional, large detached family home of approximately 498 sq m, combining the best of house and garden.

“Viewing is recommended to appreciate all that this superb family home has to offer.”

The property comes with a swimming pool, games room, cinema room and a range of other amenities that you might find in a property in the Hollywood Hills.

Outside, the stunning gardens feature several areas perfect for entertaining – with rolling lawns and a private swimming pool surrounded by a stone patio.

The luxury property has underfloor heating and is even fitted with an energy-efficient heating system.

Furthermore, the property’s driveway provides ample parking and access to the double garage, with additional room for expansion or conversion.

This breathtaking home is in a fantastic location, just a short walk to the beach, a quick drive to Dalkey, and only a 25-minute drive from Dublin city centre.

There are also numerous primary and secondary schools nearby, making this property ideal for family homebuyers.

Upon entering the ground floor, guests are welcomed by a spacious entrance hall with porcelain-tiled flooring, elegant ceiling coving and a staircase leading to the upper levels.

Further into the home is a grand living room with a beautiful brick fireplace, oak flooring and dual-aspect windows offering views over the gardens.

The property also features an open-plan kitchen that connects to the family room and comes with granite worktops, a large island and top-of-the-line appliances.

Stunning kitchen

This impressive kitchen is finished with sleek granite countertops and a large island for both cooking and dining.

It includes a stainless steel five-ring gas hob, built-in double oven and ample storage space.

The adjoining family room features a freestanding solid-fuel stove, and large glass-panelled doors open directly onto the raised patio and deck.

First-floor offerings

Moving upstairs, the spacious landing is illuminated with natural light and provides access to the bedrooms.

The main bedroom suite is luxurious and includes a walk-in wardrobe, a study, and an ensuite with marble tiling, a freestanding bath and a multi-directional shower.

The second bedroom is equally spacious, with built-in wardrobes, polished pine flooring and an ensuite shower room.

The third and fourth bedrooms are also large and come with built-in wardrobes, oak flooring and ensuites.

The second floor features a guest suite, complete with a private ensuite bathroom and access to a balcony overlooking the gardens and offering views of Killiney Bay and Bray Head.

The garden level of the home is another standout feature, offering a spacious bar and snooker room with a large built-in bar and ample space for a full-size snooker table.

There’s also a cinema room offering a high-tech experience with surround sound, a large built-in cinema screen and smart lighting.

The property is listed by Sherry FitzGerald Dalkey on Daft.ie and viewings can be arranged by contacting the agent.

Estate Agents Collect

The property is a five-bedroom home[/caption]

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It sits on almost half an acre of land[/caption]

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The home features a swimming pool with landscaped gardens[/caption]

PUB chain Greene King are offering punters a free drink – and here’s how you can get one today.

The pub is giving out complementary beverages for six weeks to every pub-goer who presents a voucher at the bar.

Jameson Whiskey

Greene King are offering a free Jameson whiskey, lime and ginger to pub go-ers.[/caption]

From February 17 to March 31, Greene King and Jameson Whiskey are offering each punter a free whiskey mixer or a selection of soft drinks.

The offer is to celebrate the lead-up to St Patrick’s Day on March 17.

To claim, you need to fill out a form on the Jameson website.

Sign up with your email address to receive news and promotions from Jameson and other Pernod Ricard UK brands, and you’ll be entered into the promotion.

Once you’ve received your voucher, you can then present it at any bar server at a participating Greene King pub to redeem the offer.

The free drink on offer is a free Jameson Irish Whiskey with Ginger & Lime, served in either a 50ml measure or 35ml measure.

The drink consists of Jameson served with a 200ml bottle of Schweppes Canada Dry Ginger Ale or a 200ml bottle of Fever-Tree Ginger Ale.

Alternatively, you can choose a soft drink; either a regular glass of draught Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke or Schweppes Lemonade. 

The promo is for one drink per person, to be redeemed anytime between February 17 and March 31 at participating pubs.

The Sun has asked if the vouchers will be available to pick up for this full period and will update this story when we hear back.

You can search for the nearest participating Greene King and Jameson pub on the Jameson website (www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en-gb/greene-king-pub-locator/).

The promotion comes just weeks after Green King offered rugby fans free beers to celebrate the start of the Six Nations.

The weekend of February 1-2 saw thousands of rugby fans descend to watch the matches, as over 800 pubs handed out free beer.

All punters needed to do was a say a secret password to get their hands on a free pint of beer in Green King pubs.

The offer included Greene King IPA, Level Head, Flint Eye and Old Speckled Hen.

Price of a pint reaches all time high

The latest St Patrick’s Day free drink promo comes just at the right time, as its confirmed the price of a pint has hit an all time high.

The average cost for a pint down your local now costs an average of £5.08 across the UK.

A recent survey by The Morning Advertiser found that the average price of a pint is now 26p higher than the £4.82 reported by the Office for National Statistics in December.

Beer prices have been pushed up due to a perfect storm of rule changes, including increases to taxes on alcohol, packaging and employer costs.

The trade publication routinely examines pint prices across various regions of the country.

The most expensive region is still London, where a pint costs £6.16 on average, and the cheapest is Midlands at £4.47.

Between August 2024 and January 2025, the average cost of a pint rose in every region except two.

In both the East and West Midlands, prices fell by 6p, bringing the average cost of a pint down from £4.53 to £4.47.

All other regions experienced price increases.

London saw the largest rise, with the cost of a pint climbing by 24p (4.05%), from £5.92 to £6.16.

Scotland, meanwhile, recorded the steepest percentage increase, with the average cost of a pint rising by 7.19% – an additional 34p – taking prices from £4.73 to £5.07.

Other regions also saw notable increases.

In the North East, the price of a pint rose by 24p, moving from £4.65 to £4.89.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

Yippee ki-yay, Paradise enthusiasts! In addition to being heavy on Die Hard references, this week’s episode raises a question I’ve (and likely you’ve) certainly considered since the show’s start: Could Xavier’s wife, Terry, somehow have survived the catastrophic event that send the chosen few underground to Paradise? At the end of this week’s episode, Sinatra […]

A HOST of Jimmy Calderwood’s friends and colleagues have been paying their final respects to the legendary Scottish football boss – with the cortege given an emotional send off as it passed Ibrox stadium.

Calderwood – who died aged 69 after a battle with dementia – was best known for his time managing Dunfermline, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.

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Jimmy Calderwood funeral[/caption]

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The hearse of Calderwood, who was a lifelong Rangers fan, passes Ibrox Stadium on[/caption]

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Sandy Clark (2nd left) and Jimmy Nicholl (R) attend the funeral of Jimmy Calderwood[/caption]

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Sandy Clark and Russell Anderson, who worked under Calderwood at Aberdeen[/caption]

But he was born in Govan and a lifelong Rangers fan all his days.

We told you on Saturday how his family had requested that the hearse should go past the famous stadium on the way to the church service.

And there were emotional scenes as the convoy was met with applause from fans and onlookers outside the gates.

Among those in attendance were his former Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne.

Among those in attendance were his former Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne, plus former Dons stars Russell Anderson, Lee Miller, Richard Foster and Richie Byrne.

Mourners from his Dunfermline and Kilmarnock days included Jimmy Nicholl and Sandy Clark.

More to follow.

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The order of service for Jimmy Calderwood’s funeral[/caption]

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Stewart Milne, former chairman of Aberdeen FC, attends the funeral of Jimmy Calderwood[/caption]

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

ROB Beckett has quit his BBC Radio 2 show just three years after taking over the slot from Paul O’Grady.

The BBC announced that today Rob has decided to step down due to scheduling issues, with him putting down the headphones for good in April, shortly before Easter.

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Rob Beckett will be leaving his Radio 2 slot[/caption]

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The star took over the Sunday evening show from Paul O’Grady[/caption]

While Beckett will be leaving the afternoon 5pm to 7pm show, he will still make appearances for the radio channel as a cover presenter.

On the announcement, Beckett said: “I’ve had such a laugh each Sunday getting to know the listeners, but as my tour schedule hots up and my family forget what I look like, I’ve decided to step away from a weekly show.

“But you won’t get away from me that easily as I’ll be back presenting shows on Radio 2 later in the year when normal service is resumed!”

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, added: “I’d like to thank Rob for his brilliant work every Sunday evening. He’ll stay within the Radio 2 family and will be heard on the station at a later date.”

His replacement is yet to be confirmed.

Beckett took over the show from O’Grady in 2022, with the beloved presenter saying at the time it was “time to go” after 14 years in the timeslot.

For a period before his permanent placement, Beckett shared the slot with O’Grady in a 50/50 split – with both having 13 weeks on air, before 13 weeks off.

O’Grady later admitted he didn’t enjoy sharing the slot with Beckett, and suggested that it had an influence of his exit choice.

He later wrote on Instagram: “I did the honourable thing, I honoured my contract, gave my notice in and now I’m off.”

He was later critical of Radio 2’s shake ups, telling Metro the radio station “wasn’t what it was” as it brought in younger presenter.

“They’re trying to aim for a much younger audience, which doesn’t make sense because you’ve got Radio 1,” he told Metro in 2023.

He also noted: “I’m a great believer in continuity. If you go off for 13 weeks and somebody else comes on, the listeners don’t know when you’re back on.”

O’Grady died in March 2023 from sudden cardiac arrhythmia at the age of 67.

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The star has become a regular voice for listeners – and he’ll still be returning in guest slots[/caption]

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The stand-up comedian noted his upcoming tour and his family for why he gave up the spot[/caption]