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Ellie Goldstein was favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing when this year’s line-up was announced.

However, sadly for the star – who is partnered with Vito Coppola – she’s slipped down the bookies’ list, being overtaken in the race to take the Glitterball Trophy home by none other than Lewis Copeland.

Ellie Goldstein can’t wait to get cracking (Credit: BBC)

Blow for Strictly star Ellie Goldstein ahead of first live show

The 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing launched on Saturday night (September 20). Viewers watched as the celebrities were introduced and paired up with their pro partners.

Model and actress Ellie Goldstein, 23, was over the moon to be paired with Vito. However, it appears the two have some work to do if they’re going to win the betting public over.

According to Sports Casting Bets, one-time favourite Ellie is now the fourth most likely star to be crowned the winner of the 2025 series.

Lewis Cope and Katya Jones are the current favourites to win, with odds of 3/1 . But after backlash about his previous dance experience, will viewers support Lewis as he makes a bid to win for the Glitterball Trophy?

Love Island star Dani Dyer is next with odds of 4/1. She’s paired with Nikita Kuzmin. Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington are third favourites to win, with odds of 6/1.

Ellie and Vito, meanwhile, have odds of 7/1 to win.

Ellie is paired with Vito Coppola for Strictly 2025 (Credit: BBC)

Bookies share odds for Strictly 2025 winner

George Clarke and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey are both at 8/1; Karen Carney is at 16/1; Alex Kingston and Balvinder Sopal are both at 18/1; La Voix has odds of 25/1.

Bringing up the rear are Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (33/1); Thomas Skinner (40/1); Stefan Dennis (50/1); Chris Robshaw (80/1); and Ross King (100/1).

‘He already moves like a pro’

Spokesman Shane Orton told ED!: “Lewis Cope has hit the ground running at 3/1. The early favourite already moves like a pro and could be the one to beat.

“Close behind, Dani Dyer (4/1) and Vicky Pattison (6/1) are both tipped to do well thanks to their natural charm and down-to-earth appeal. While both have already joked about dodging the dreaded Strictly curse, it’s their relatability and growing confidence on the dancefloor that could see them waltz into the final.”

GMB discussed Fergie’s apology (Image: ITV)

A Good Morning Britain star slammed Sarah Ferguson as a “hypocrite” after the Duchess of York remained in contact with Jeffrey Epstein after publicly criticising him. The topic of discussion came up on the ITV show as hosts Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid chatted to Royal editor Sarah Hewson about why she might have did what she did.

It comes as seven charities have cut ties with Fergie after an email sent to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein surfaced from 2011, where she apologised for publicly criticising him. Susanna asked what the reason was behind her choosing to keep in contact with the disgraced businessman. Sarah shared that the Duchess had received a £15,000 loan from him but then went on to say that she would never have any contact with him ever again. But now, it has come to light that she actually emailed him and now they have “both been caught out lying”. Sarah said: “Actually, the only distancing was to protect her reputation and for PR purposes.”

She added: “In this case they were communicating with him in the most fawning and grovelling way.” Richard pointed out that Fergie said she was terrified of “being sued” by Epstein.

However, the ITV host disputed that as he said there wasn’t anyway of Epstein suing Fergie for calling him a paedophile when he was actually a convicted paedophile, doing jail time.

Sarah said that it is a “difficult” moment for Fergie but she isn’t a stranger of a scandal and is the “Queen of comeback”.

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She recalled the times that Fergie was allowed back into the Royal Family time and time again, despite negative headlines in the news.

As the show posted a clip from the chat to their social media channels, one ITV star had her say despite not being on screen as she commented her thoughts.

She angrily penned: “The bigger picture is – this doesn’t end with Andrew and Sarah, the whole RF is rotten to its core.. they rolled the red carpet out for Epstein’s bestie- Trump Stop with the HYPOCRISY.”

Pete Wicks was ‘left rattled’ by the joke

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Pete Wicks has confronted Roman Kemp over a joke the latter made about him being “skint”.

Speaking to his dad Martin Kemp, Roman, 32, claimed that Pete, 37, was left “rattled” by the gag made at a charity event, and revealed he has since apologised to the reality star.

Recalling their conversation, Roman said the Strictly star asked him if he remembered saying it, to which he said he didn’t.

“And he [Pete] goes, ‘It’s rattled me for about three months and I still haven’t got over it’,” the presenter shared on the FFS! My Dad is Martin Kemp podcast.

“I was like, ‘Mate, I’m so sorry’ and he was like, ‘Na, na, it was great, but it’s absolutely rattled me’.”

The One Show host went on to say that Pete has since “made a point” about it by recently buying Martin a coffee.

“He made a point of buying you a coffee, so that you could go back and tell me that he’s not skint,” Roman recalled, to which Martin, 63, replied, laughing: “That is so funny.”

Roman Kemp said he has since apologised to Pete
Roman added: “It must’ve come out, like some gag or whatever, like, ‘Ah, don’t ask Pete for money, he’s skint’, he was rattled by it.”

Thinking back to his recent encounter with Pete, Martin humorously suggested that the Strictly star may not have bought the coffee after all.

“He didn’t it came out of the machine,” he claimed.

Martin and Pete formed a friendship through their time together on the show Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls, back in 2018.

At the time, the pair put their survival skills to the test amongst the likes of Love Island’s Montana Brown, Olympic rower James Cracknell, actress Roxanne Pallett and entrepreneur Jo Wood.

The Spandau Ballet star described appearing on the programme as an “experience you can’t pay for”.

Discussing some memories from the show, he recalled Pete crying over the death of a pig and later arranging a funeral for it.

Martin further said that his co-star was also “bitten by a shark” on his finger, adding: “It all became a little bit messy. It was a real experience, a joint bonding experience that me and Pete have.”

Fiona Phillips Makes Emotional Return To “Loose Women” Amid Alzheimer’s Battle, Touching Hearts Across The Nation

After a long and deeply personal absence from the public eye, beloved TV presenter Fiona Phillips made a courageous and emotional return to the ITV talk show Loose Women. Her appearance marked the first time in years that audiences saw her back in a professional setting, following her public revelation that she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease — a life-changing condition that has gradually reshaped every part of her life.

Fiona, once a familiar and comforting face on British morning television, stepped away from the spotlight to privately battle the illness. Her reappearance this week, however, came as a powerful reminder of her enduring strength, professionalism, and grace. The moment she stepped onto the Loose Women stage, viewers and fellow panellists alike were moved to tears. Social media quickly filled with messages of love, support, and admiration for the 63-year-old journalist, who was once a daily presence in households across the UK.

Despite the warm reception, Fiona’s return also stirred concern. Viewers were shocked at her physical transformation. The toll of Alzheimer’s was visibly evident — her features noticeably more aged, and her movements more cautious. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant, fast-talking host people once knew. And yet, there was something profoundly inspiring in her appearance: the quiet courage of someone who refuses to hide, even when struggling with something so difficult and deeply personal.

During the broadcast, Fiona spoke openly and honestly about her journey. She shared how the diagnosis had changed not just her career, but her day-to-day life, her relationships, and her understanding of time. With touching vulnerability, she admitted to the fear and confusion she often faces — but also spoke of moments of clarity, laughter, and deep gratitude. Most importantly, Fiona wanted to bring awareness to others going through the same battle, and to shine a light on the challenges and stigma that still surround Alzheimer’s.

Her words were measured, calm, and deeply moving. She did not seek pity — instead, she offered perspective, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose. For many watching, it was not just a TV moment; it was a testament to human resilience.

Fiona’s bravery in returning to the show, despite the changes in her health and appearance, has reminded the public why she was — and still is — so deeply respected. As one viewer put it, “She may have aged, but her spirit is as powerful as ever.”

As Alzheimer’s continues to affect millions globally, Fiona Phillips is now, more than ever, a symbol of strength and honesty. Her comeback may not have been flashy or dramatic, but it was real — and that’s what made it unforgettable.

The viral moment was over in seconds—a camera panning the crowd at a Coldplay concert, lingering on two executives from the same tech company, arms entwined, faces suddenly stricken as they realized the world was watching. But for Kristin Cabot and Andy Byron, the fallout has lasted months, upending careers and shattering the privacy of two families.

Now, for the first time, a source close to Kristin Cabot is pushing back against the swirl of speculation and rumor that has followed the infamous “kiss cam” incident, calling the public shaming “devastating” and the narrative of an affair “completely false.”

NEED TO KNOW

Months after then-Astronomer CEO Andy Byron was seen with his arms around executive Kristin Cabot at a Coldplay concert, a source says that while “inappropriate,” they were not having an affair
The source close to Cabot says she and her husband, Andrew, were living apart at the time and are “amicably separated”
Cabot, for her part, is “making sure her kids are okay, and that’s going to take time,” the source says: “The misinformation has been the most mind-blowing”

The Viral Moment That Changed Everything

On July 16, at Gillette Stadium, then-Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, 51, was caught on screen with Kristin Cabot, 53, the company’s chief people officer. As the camera zoomed in, Byron’s arms were around Cabot. Both recoiled, ducking away from view. Coldplay’s Chris Martin, ever the showman, teased from the stage, “Oh, look at these two. All right, c’mon, you’re okay. Oh, what? Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”

Suddenly, the private lives of four people—Byron, his reported spouse Megan, Cabot, and her husband Andrew—were thrust into the international spotlight. Memes exploded. Headlines screamed scandal. Paparazzi and internet sleuths pounced.

But, says the source close to Cabot, the truth is far less salacious—and far more painful.

“There Was No Affair”

“Kristin and Andy had an excellent working relationship, a great friendship. There was no affair,” the source tells Retro News. “It was inappropriate to be hugging your boss at a concert, and she accepts full responsibility for it. But the scandal, the downfall, the loss of the job—all of that is unfair.”

The source insists that Kristin Cabot was not breaking up a marriage, and that her own relationship was already over. “Kristin and Andrew [Cabot] had been living apart. They are amicably separated and moving forward towards divorce, focused on their families. On the night of the concert, her husband was also at the Coldplay concert—on a date.”

Byron, too, has not spoken publicly, and did not respond to requests for comment.

A Scandal Fueled by Assumptions and Misinformation

The source is speaking out now, they say, to correct the record after months of relentless headlines and online harassment. “The misinformation has been the most mind-blowing to witness,” they say. “It is important to note how inappropriately mislabeled Kristin has been—as a homewrecker. It’s unfathomable to witness what has happened, and how devastating it can be, for not just individuals, but entire families.”

The concert, they emphasize, was not a company event. “There was no company box. It was a night with a big group of friends and an inappropriate moment.”

The Human Cost of Viral Shame

The fallout was immediate and brutal. Both Byron and Cabot left Astronomer within days. “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,” the company said in a statement.

But for Cabot, the consequences went far beyond her job. “It’s been hard for her to leave the house. She’s been prioritizing her family. Her kids have been through a lot,” the source says. “Kristin had people standing outside her car while she was picking her son up from work, grown women laughing, taking pictures, pointing. In the first three days after the news broke, she had about 900 death threats on her phone.”

The public seemed to take a cruel delight in her pain. “The way people have taken a lot of enjoyment at their expense, it’s hard to see. Public shaming is absolutely on the table as a punishment.”

“She’s a Self-Made Person”

Despite some coverage framing Cabot and Byron as privileged elites, the source insists, “She’s been working since she was 15 years old. She’s a self-made person. Kristin is and always has been one of the hardest working women I’ve ever met.”

Right now, Cabot is focused on her children and trying to rebuild. “She has a lot of family and friends around her that know who she really is and love her, and will all see her through this. But it will take time.”

A Cautionary Tale for the Digital Age

The story of Kristin Cabot and Andy Byron is a cautionary tale about the power of viral moments—and the real human cost when strangers become the targets of collective outrage.

“These are real people and real families,” the source says. “All I can think of is that this could happen to any of us at any time.”

For now, both former executives remain out of the spotlight, their futures uncertain—while the world moves on to the next viral scandal, leaving behind the wreckage of lives forever changed.

IFought the Law viewers have declared Sheridan Smith is in award-winning form for her “captivating” performance in the harrowing drama.

Sheridan plays Ann Ming in the four-part true crime adaptation of For the Love of Julie, which follows Ann’s long campaign to overturn the double jeopardy law following the murder of her daughter.

But amid the praise lavished on Sheridan on social media, concerns were raised about one particular aspect of the ITV drama that seemed to indicate some of those complaining weren’t able to focus on the plot.

Sheridan Smith in character as Ann Ming in ITV’s I Fought the Law (Credit: ITV)

Reviews are in for ITV drama I Fought the Law

Julie Hogg was 22 when she went missing in 1989. A team of five forensic experts spent three days searching her home in Stockton-upon-Tees for evidence.

It was assumed Julie was a missing person. But her body was later found wrapped in a blanket in the bathroom by her mother.

Despite the horrific nature of Julie’s passing, many of those watching ITV at home made it clear how brave and inspirational they found Ann – and her portrayal.

“Excellent start to this four-part drama #IFoughtTheLaw,” one X user enthused. “As always Sheridan Smith convincingly becomes the person she is portraying. So good to see her again in a drama as it’s been so long since she was last on our screens.”

Another thrilled viewer posted: “What an extraordinary actress Sheridan Smith truly is. What a performance #ITV.”

“Incredible first episode of #IFoughtTheLaw,” another observer shared. “Sheridan Smith is just bloody phenomenal in everything she is in!”

Another fan felt Sheridan’s turn in I Fought the Law may be the best they’ve ever seen her.

“Sheridan Smith, your acting is superb in #IFoughtTheLaw,” they wrote. “I was hooked from the start and the best performance I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching you do. Ann Ming, must be so proud of you.”

And yet another claimed Sheridan is “one of the best ever”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ITV (@itv)

‘Give Sheridan Smith all the awards’

Indeed, several onlookers were persuaded Sheridan will prove unbeatable when acting awards are next dished out.

“Give it and Sheridan Smith ALL the awards now! #IFoughtTheLaw,” one X user insisted.

Another wrote: “#IFoughtTheLaw If Sheridan Smith doesn’t win at least one award for her captivating performance as the courageous and inspirational Ann Ming, then there will be questions asked.”

“Sheridan Smith should win awards for this portrayal #IFoughtTheLaw,” agreed a third.

Prepare the BAFTAs for the extraordinary Sheridan Smith!

A fourth person hyped her up: “Prepare the BAFTAs for the extraordinary Sheridan Smith! #IFoughtTheLaw is outstanding.”

And someone else agreed: “Well that was heartbreaking and we’re only on episode 1! Give Sheridan Smith all the awards #IFoughtTheLaw.”

Ann Ming campaigned for and achieved a historic change to the law (Credit: YouTube)

‘Sheridan Smith can’t do a Teesside accent’

However, some social media dissenters may have disagreed with all of the cast being given gongs for their acting work. And that’s because there were posts on X objecting to some of the attempts at the local accent.

“So Sheridan Smith can’t do a Teesside accent. #IFoughtTheLaw,” one person grumbled.

Another claimed: “The Teesside accent seems to be the most difficult to get right for an actor not from Teesside. #IFoughtTheLaw #RIPJulie.

To which someone else replied sarcastically, making use of rolling eyes emojis: “Yes, there are a lot of fine Geordie accents in this programme.”

And someone else pondered: “Why do all these Cleveland police officers have Geordie accents? #IFoughtTheLaw.”

But another viewer maintained: “Coming from the neighbouring town I know what happened in #IFoughtTheLaw and was in tears within minutes of it starting. Well played Sheridan Smith. Those focusing on her accent completely missing the point. Never met her but utmost admiration for Ann Ming. Remarkable woman.”

A newsreader from the BBC extended his sympathy to Amy Dowden after she was paired with The Apprentice star for the new series

Thomas Skinner issued a brilliant response to a BBC Look North newsreader on Sunday after they took aim at his participation in Strictly Come Dancing.

On Saturday night, Mr Skinner was revealed to be paired with Amy Dowden for the upcoming series of Strictly, resulting in joyful scenes between the two during the launch programme.

 

The pair’s joyous reaction to their pairing continued on social media shortly after, with Ms Dowden penning a heartfelt tribute to her celebrity partner ahead of next week’s live show.

However, as Mr Skinner has had to become accustomed to in recent weeks, The Apprentice star’s appearance also resulted in some rather cruel feedback – and newsreader Peter Levy joined the pile-on.

BBC Strictly: Amy Dowden and Thomas Skinner were paired together during Saturday’s launch

| BBC

On Saturday evening, the BBC employee took to X where he shared with his 101.2k followers: “I feel sorry for Amy Dowden……”

Mr Levy’s reaction to the Strictly pairing didn’t go unnoticed by Mr Skinner himself, who hit back on Sunday afternoon.

“Don’t feel sorry for Amy, Peter,” Mr Skinner calmly wrote in response. “She is an incredible woman, a fighter, and we’re gonna have a great time together on Strictly.

“In fact, we haven’t stopped laughing. Maybe instead of making daft digs at me, you should be cheering on a brilliant dancer who’s beaten bigger battles that you and I have had to face.”

BBC Strictly: Amy Dowden and Thomas Skinner even strutted their stuff during the first group number

| BBC

The former Celebrity MasterChef star went on: “Anyway, you stick to reading the autocue, I’ll stick to learning the cha-cha.

“I will be working my hardest on learning to dance so I don’t let her down. I want to do as well as possible, not just for myself but for her as well. Bosh.”

Mr Levy is yet to respond to Mr Skinner, or any of the X users who felt he was totally out of line for criticising the Strictly star.

As well as Mr Skinner, several X users took to the comments of Mr Levy’s post to brand his words “nasty”, “disgusting”, and “disappointing”.

BBC Strictly: Peter Levy criticised the pairing

| BBC

“What a nasty thing to say,” one X user wrote while a second mocked: “Ah, the famous impartiality of the BBC.”

A third weighed in: “And this is reason number 673 why I’ve gone from having BBC News in my house pretty much on a loop all day, to NEVER watching BBC current affairs at all anymore.”

“BBC journalist, everyone. Jesus Christ,” a fourth said in disbelief before a fifth concurred: “Disgusting post. Although it shows yet again just infected and infested with leftism the BBC is.”

A sixth echoed: “This is a disappointing post. I’ve seen you many times on Look North, and you seem a nice person, but this post suggests otherwise.”

BBC Strictly: Amy Dowden and Thomas Skinner both celebrated the partnership

| BBC

Mr Skinner has faced his fair share of backlash ever since he was unveiled as a competitor in this year’s edition of Strictly Come Dancing.

Much of the furore has centred on his social media activity, with the 34-year-old regularly using X to voice his proud patriotic views.

Mr Skinner is also no stranger to voicing his opposition to wokeness and lefty politics, and hit headlines this year when he joined Vice President JD Vance for a barbecue during his visit to the UK.

However, the vitriol towards Mr Skinner heightened this month when a former “fling” of his came forward with a story of an affair involving the dad-of-three three and a half years ago.

I feel sorry for Amy Dowden……

— Peter Levy (@peter_levy) September 20, 2025

Mr Skinner went public with an apology to his wife and children for the incident that took place back in 2021.

He revealed his wife, Sinead, had forgiven him and they had moved on. However, his opponents have continued to use the story against him.

Mr Skinner addressed the criticism to the launch show on Sunday in a lengthy X post after he saw “people fuming that I’m on Strictly”. He pointed out “the funny thing is that the majority of them got ‘be kind’ written in their bios. You couldn’t make it up.”

In the post, Mr Skinner addressed all of the criticism he’s faced in recent months, from his meeting with Vice President Vance to his private school scholarship and run-ins with the law.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Thomas Skinner (@iamtomskinner)

He conceded he was “in a fight I can’t win, but I don’t give up”, and admitted “these last few weeks for me and my family have been horrific”.

However, he ended on an upbeat note. “This country is beautiful. Full of beautiful people. I love it with all my heart. It’s built on graft, pride, community, and family. It’s built on good people from all walks of life. Not people that gave up,” he said.

“So don’t waste your energy on faceless cowards. Don’t let hypocrites win. Whatever battle you’re fighting behind closed doors, don’t give up. Keep pushing.”

He signed off: “If I can keep goin, so can you. We are strong. We are proud. We never give up. Ever. Thank you for all the love and support I’ve been getting! It means the world to me.” (sic)

Host of BBC Breakfast Jon Kay shared the sad news of a heartbreaking death during today’s (September 23) show.

For Tuesday morning’s programme, the show discussed 27-year-old Jessica Brady, who died from cancer just weeks after her diagnosis.

“GPs in England are being urged to think again if they’re struggling to diagnose a patient after three appointments,” Jon shared.

“It’s part of new NHS guidance called Jess’s Rule, named after 27-year-old Jessica Brady, who died from stage four cancer after contacting her doctor more than 20 times to try to get a diagnosis.”

Jon revealed 27-year-old Jessica Brady died weeks after her cancer diagnosis (Credit: BBC)

BBC Breakfast host announces heartbreaking death

After showing a clip that featured Jessica, BBC Breakfast’s health correspondent, Dominic Hughes, added: “Jessica Brady was a talented engineer at Airbus involved in the design of satellites.”

Before her tragic death, Jess had begun to feel unwell in 2020.

“Over the course of more than 20 GP appointments, she was told her symptoms were related to long COVID and that she was too young for cancer,” Dominic continued.

“Finally, a private specialist diagnosed stage four cancer, but by this time, it was too late. Jessica died just three weeks later at the age of 27.”

Jessica’s mum launches NHS guidance called Jess’s Rule (Credit: BBC)

‘GPs will also be encouraged to seek second opinions’

Since her death, Jessica’s mother, Andrea, has been campaigning to improve GPs’ awareness and the diagnosis of cancer. Dominic stated that “the introduction of Jess’s Rule is a big step forward”.

“Under Jess’s Rule, GPs will be asked to think again if, after three appointments, they haven’t been able to offer a firm diagnosis or the patient’s symptoms have escalated,” Dominic said.

“That might mean arranging a face-to-face consultation, a thorough physical examination, or more diagnostic tests.

“GPs will also be encouraged to seek second opinions from colleagues, review patient records, and consider specialist referrals. The hope is that Jess’s Rule will save lives and help catch serious conditions earlier, particularly in young people.”

Thomas Skinner has now experienced another fresh crisis (Image: BBC / Ray Burmiston)

Strictly Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner is now facing a major blow as he is allegedly ‘banned’ from saying a certain phrase. The former Apprentice star is known for saying ‘Bosh’ in his social media videos, but the household brand Bosch has now slapped him with legal action. It comes after Thomas expressed plans to release a homeware collection featuring candles and bedding, all linked to his catchphrase. It has been reported that the top electrical firm, Bosch, has stopped this. It has now been claimed that lawyers for the company have asked Thomas to change the name associated with his homeware collection.

A source told The Sun: “Thomas has huge plans for the Bosh name and wanted to attribute the name to a number of hustles. […] But as his profile and social media following grew, Bosch got wind of it and put their lawyers on the case.”

 

Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden has been partnered with Tom Skinner (Image: BBC)

They continued: “A names tribunal forced Thomas to back down, and he was powerless to stop it.”

Express Online has reached out to Thomas Skinner’s representative for comment.

Meanwhile, the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing is officially under way, with 15 new celebrities competing to win the Glitterball Trophy. One of the contestants involved is Thomas Skinner, who is partnered with Amy Dowden.

Only a few days ago, before the launch, the Essex businessman caused a stir online with a candid confession about cheating on his wife. On top of this, he also left a few journalists hanging when he exited a recent press conference early.

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Despite his new apparent bond with Amy Dowden, Strictly fans expressed their disapproval of the pairing, especially as Amy has only recently returned following numerous health setbacks.

One person commented on social media: “You look amazing Amy. Great to see you back. So sorry you got the short straw with him though.”

However, one person disagreed and argued: “Amy Dowden kicked cancer’s *ss. She can manage Thomas Skinner for the 3 weeks it will take for the public to get bored of him.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales have made an emotional return to Southport, meeting families devastated by last summer’s horrific kn!fe attack that claimed the lives of three children.

In a show of solidarity, Prince William and Catherine visited Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School, the former school of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, one of the young victims. The royal couple spoke privately with Elsie’s grieving family, offering comfort and support in the wake of unimaginable tragedy.

A Community Still in Shock

The July 2024 attack at a local dance class left Southport reeling, after nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar and six-year-old Bebe King were also murdered. The sh0cking vi0lence, carried out by Axel Rudakubana, sparked riots and unrest across the northwest seaside town, and led to a national outpouring of grief.

Teachers at Farnborough Road School described the lasting impact on pupils and staff, and the vital support provided to families in the aftermath. Catherine, recently recovered from chemotherapy, met with children at the school, her first public engagement since treatment—a poignant moment for the community.

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A Private Meeting Filled With Tears

The royal couple also held a private meeting with bereaved families and emergency workers who had responded to the attack. “Their visit shows us we are not alone, and not forgotten,” said one parent.

Public Inquiry Underway

A public inquiry into the Southport tragedy is now underway at Liverpool Town Hall, gathering evidence and seeking answers for a community still searching for justice.

A Royal Promise

As William and Catherine left Southport, their message was clear: “You are not forgotten.” For many, their presence offered a glimmer of hope—and a reminder that even in the darkest times, the nation stands together.

A Royal Promise

As William and Catherine left Southport, their message was clear: “You are not forgotten.” For many, their presence offered a glimmer of hope—and a reminder that even in the darkest times, the nation stands together.