Nottingham's official Robin Hood Tim Pollard dies aged 61 after 'short, brave' cancer battle
Tim Pollard, Nottingham's official Robin Hood, has died following a battle with cancer. Mr Pollard was aged 61 and was surrounded by his family when he passed away.
A statement posted on his Facebook page revealed the beloved actor died following a "short, brave" battle with cancer. The tribute reads: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news of Tim's passing. He left us peacefully, surrounded by his loving family.
"Tim faced a short, brave battle with cancer. It was his heartfelt wish to keep his illness private, and he only allowed us to begin sharing this difficult news with a few close friends in recent weeks.
READ MORE: Dramatic footage shows driver on wrong side of dual carriageway during Nottingham pursuit
READ MORE: Nottingham's Lister Gate to get new big-name clothes shop in boost for struggling street
"He truly valued his privacy, and we are striving to honour that now.
"Tim was, as many of you know, our very own and only Robin Hood. He was loved by so many, not just here in Nottingham, but far beyond. His laughter, his spirit, and his incredible friendship touched countless lives.
"We know Tim will be deeply missed by all who knew him. We will share details of how we will celebrate his life in due course."
Mr Pollard had been the city's Robin Hood for more than three decades. He is survived by his daughter. His wife, Sally Pollard, who was the city's Maid Marian, also died of cancer in June 2017 aged only 39.
Tributes started pouring in on Saturday, June 28. Ray Blockley said: "Very, very sad to hear of the passing of Tim Pollard this morning. A regular at the Nottingham Robin Hood Beer & Cider Festival, who many folk will know from his Robin Hood persona, as well as his promotion and support of all things Nottingham and local.
"Thoughts are with his daughter and family at this sad time. If you can, raise a glass in his memory today."
Tim Freer added: "I've heard the terribly sad news this morning of the passing of Tim Pollard, our very own and much loved Robin Hood - all of us that knew him are devastated. My thoughts go out to his family, we're going to miss him so much."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Olivia Rodrigo praises front fans fans for wearing diapers to BST Hyde Park concert
Olivia Rodrigo praised her fans for wearing 'wearing diapers to be in the front row' of her London concert. The 22-year-old singer / songwriter headlined the American Express presents BST Hyde Park Festival on Friday (27.06.25) and was shocked at the lengths some of her fans went to in order to get close to the stage. She said: 'There's a sign that says 'wearing diapers for the front row'. Is that true? Did you guys wear diapers? You're wearing a diaper right now to be in the front row? Wow. That is actually amazing. I love you. Thank you for doing that. That's crazy.' Olivia also called the concert her 'dream gig' after revealing she has had many 'special moments in London and in Hyde Park'. She added: 'This is such a magical night you guys, we get to watch the sunset together, it's very romantic. 'I love everything English. I love English humour. I love the little sweets you get at M S. For breakfast every morning, I have a boiled egg and soldiers. I'm trying to be an English girl. 'I love English music and as luck would have it, I also love English boys.' Olivia opened her set with bad idea right? before launching into ballad of a homeschooled girl and vampire. She welcomed Ed Sheeran to the stage for a duet of his song The A Team and closed out the show with brutal, all-american b****, good 4 u and get him back! Olivia Rodrigo's BST Hyde Park Setlist bad idea right? ballad of a homeschooled girl vampire drivers license traitor obsessed love is embarrassing pretty isn't pretty (Acoustic) happier enough for you so american jealousy, jealousy favorite crime The A Team (with Ed Sheeran) deja vu brutal all-american b**** good 4 u get him back!
Gizmodo
27 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
How to Watch ABC in the UK: Stream US Content in Seconds
ABC is home to Grey's Anatomy, The Bachelor, and Monday Night Football. This lineup defines American TV, but head to the UK and try streaming it? You'll hit the dreaded geo-block message faster than a cliffhanger ad break. and the ABC app are locked to US viewers only, thanks to licensing deals that don't travel well. Most US streamers face location-based blocks when traveling or living abroad, but that doesn't mean you're shut out. With the right VPN and a few easy tweaks, you can learn how to watch ABC in the UK. We've got solutions to unblock ABC abroad in full-HD, with zero buffering and blackout zones. Table of Contents Accessing ABC from the UK isn't rocket science, but it does require more than just typing ' in your browser. ABC checks your location before letting you stream anything, and if it doesn't see a US IP address, you'll get an error screen or be locked out entirely. The good news? A reliable VPN flips that switch. Here's how to make it work. Not every VPN can beat ABC's geo-blocks. You'll need one that has: We've tested over 30 VPNs, and NordVPN came out on top for unblocking ABC live stream. It offers servers in over 15 US cities, bypasses ABC's restrictions without hiccups, and has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to try it risk-free. Watch ABC live with NordVPN Head to the VPN's official website (don't rely on random app store listings). Download and install the app for your device, whether that's a laptop, phone, or Fire TV Stick. Open the app and log in using your account credentials. If this is your first time, NordVPN will walk you through setup in under two minutes. Once inside the app, pick a server based in the United States. For ABC's live feeds or access to shows right after they air, New York, Atlanta, or Washington DC servers usually deliver the smoothest results with the lowest ping from the UK. Click 'Connect,' and within seconds, your IP address will be masked and swapped with a US-based one. Now, ABC sees you as just another American viewer. With your VPN connected to a US server, open your browser and head to Alternatively, you can install the ABC app from the Google Play or Apple App Store (you may need to switch your app store region). Here's where it gets good: you can now stream full episodes of Good Morning America, Grey's Anatomy, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and more. Some content may ask for a US cable login, but tons of it (including news clips, local programming, and next-day episodes) play for free with just an IP change. Of course, you can also follow these same steps to watch NBC live while you're in the United Kingdom. If you want to stream ABC live, you'll need a US TV provider login. Sling TV's Orange plan, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV all work, and many offer free trials. Once you're signed in, ABC Go unlocks full nationwide live access. As long as your VPN stays connected to a US server, ABC will continue working just like you're back home. Want to pause and binge later? Just reconnect to the same region when you return. ABC doesn't exactly roll out the red carpet for international viewers. You'll hit geo-blocks, streaming restrictions, and sometimes, login issues unless you're connecting from inside the US That's where the right VPN makes all the difference. We tested a stack of top VPNs specifically with ABC's site and apps, and filtered out the ones that choked, lagged, or didn't work with live content at all. Here are the top picks that consistently worked, with a special focus on streaming performance, reliability, and US coverage. 7492 servers 118 covered countries 30 days money-back guarantee 10 simultaneous connections 9.4 /10 3000 servers 105 covered countries 30 days money-back guarantee 8 simultaneous connections 9.1 /10 27000 servers 91 covered countries 30 days money-back guarantee Unlimited connections 9 /10 If you're in the UK and want smooth access to ABC shows like The Bachelor, Good Morning America, or Monday Night Football, NordVPN stands out as the top VPN for the job. It's the one we'd recommend first if you want fast, hassle-free access to ABC Go and live US TV streams. Rather than focusing purely on the number of US servers (though it does have over 1,970), NordVPN's real advantage is how consistently it streams. Whether it was the ABC website or using a TV provider login through a streaming device, we didn't run into a single proxy error or buffering loop. One key reason? SmartPlay technology. It combines VPN with smart DNS to bypass geo-restrictions automatically, with no manual setup needed. This helped us stream ABC content on Smart TVs, Fire Sticks, and mobile apps without the usual compatibility headaches. Live streams ran smoothly as well. NordVPN's NordLynx protocol delivered 4K performance during prime-time hours, even on slightly slower broadband connections. Shows loaded fast, and sports replays didn't skip a frame, a rare win for VPNs under real-world pressure. There's a reason it's the fastest VPN of 2025. You also get wide device support. We ran tests on iOS, Android, Windows, and Fire TV, and each app was intuitive, stable, and feature-complete. Plus, with up to 10 simultaneous connections, you can stream ABC in one room while someone else watches Netflix or Hulu in another. Starting at just over $3/month, NordVPN delivers elite streaming capability, excellent speeds, and rock-solid privacy. For ABC fans in the United Kingdom (or anywhere else), it's easily the best way to unlock the full US library. Buy at NordVPN Pros Cons If you're tuning into ABC from the UK and don't want to gamble on speed or server reliability, ExpressVPN is an easy win. With over 3,000 servers in 105+ countries (including plenty across the US), it's one of the most stable and polished VPNs we tested for unblocking ABC Go and streaming live US content. What sets it apart isn't just reach, but how effortlessly it works, even during peak streaming hours. We connected to multiple US cities, hopped between morning news and evening sitcoms, and barely saw a buffer icon. ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol kept streams smooth in HD, even while other apps were hogging bandwidth in the background. One feature we loved was MediaStreamer, which is a built-in Smart DNS tool that lets you stream on devices that don't support VPNs natively, like certain smart TVs, Apple TV, and consoles (it's one of the best PS5 VPNs). This came in handy when we wanted to watch Shark Tank or Station 19 on the living room screen without fiddling with router settings. Even better, ExpressVPN's apps are consistent and intuitive across platforms, from iOS and Android to Windows and Fire TV Stick. You can stream seamlessly across devices, and if anything goes wrong, their 24/7 live chat is among the fastest and most helpful we've tested. Yes, it costs a bit more, around $5/month, but if you're serious about uninterrupted access to ABC and other US networks from the UK, ExpressVPN delivers the goods without compromise. Finally, note that it's possible to take advantage of a free trial of ExpressVPN (either 7 or 30 days). Buy at ExpressVPN Pros Cons If you're looking to watch ABC live from the UK without shelling out too much cash, Private Internet Access (PIA) gets the job done without draining your wallet. With 29,000+ servers in 91 countries, including at least one in every single US state, PIA gives you region-specific access, which is great for catching local ABC affiliates like WABC (New York) or KABC (Los Angeles). We tested Private Internet Access with ABC Go, and while it didn't match NordVPN's speed or ExpressVPN's polish, it still held its own. HD streams loaded after a short buffer, and there were no proxy errors even when switching between multiple US locations. If you're after regional sports, election coverage, or state-specific news, PIA's granular US server map is a major advantage. One of PIA's standout features is MACE, which has a built-in ad tracker and malware blocker. It's not as full-featured as NordVPN's Threat Protection, but it definitely reduced clutter and kept streaming snappy. Advanced users will also appreciate PIACTL, the command-line interface tool that adds automation and fine-tuned control that most VPNs don't offer. At around $2/month, Private Internet Access is hard to beat for value. The app's interface might feel a bit overwhelming to newcomers, and speeds can dip during high-traffic periods. But for affordable access to ABC and a wide range of US TV channels from abroad, PIA is a smart, reliable pick. Buy at Private Internet Access Pros Cons Streaming ABC from the United Kingdom shouldn't feel like a puzzle. Whether you're trying to catch Grey's Anatomy, American Idol, or Monday Night Football, geo-blocks don't need to stand in your way. With the right VPN, you can unlock the full experience without interruptions or frustrating errors. Out of all the VPNs we tested, NordVPN consistently gave us the fastest streams, the most reliable access, and the smoothest setup. Its US servers handle ABC Go with ease, and with SmartPlay technology built in, you don't need to mess with settings or troubleshoot anything. If you're serious about keeping up with ABC from abroad, NordVPN is the one to trust. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, there's no risk in trying it out.
New York Times
33 minutes ago
- New York Times
Was Wimbledon promoting Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka's olive branch an unforced error?
Aryna Sabalenka's immediate reaction to losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff was to vent. The world No. 1 spoke about how 'terribly' she'd played, bemoaned the conditions, and gave her opponent precious little credit. Sabalenka even implied that Gauff would have lost the final had it been Iga Świątek on the other side of the net. Advertisement Sabalenka has since issued an apology, both in an interview with Eurosport and directly to Gauff. Things went up a notch at Wimbledon on Friday, though, when the pair practiced together and did a dance for TikTok on court, a Sabalenka hallmark. Gauff posted on TikTok: 'The olive branch was extended and accepted! We're good, so you guys should be too.' Then Wimbledon itself endorsed that message, and things got weird. Caoimhe O'Neill and Charlie Eccleshare, both on site at the All England Club for Wimbledon, discuss what it says about tennis, rivalry and social media. You heard them ❤️#Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 27, 2025 Caoimhe O'Neill: The year is 2025 and TikTok dancing is a fluent language for many. Sabalenka and Gauff choosing to dance together on Centre Court ahead of their practice session on Friday was a modern way of telling the world that what happened at Roland Garros is behind them. I'm all for women athletes using social media to express their personalities, write their own narratives and, in turn, grow their audiences and, with that, endorsement deals. For too long, women in sport have been overlooked and underfunded. Social media gives them a space to present themselves in a way they want to beyond press conferences and headlines. My bugbear with the dance is that we all want feuds in sport and this feels like it has stolen one from us that was building up nicely. Charlie Eccleshare: It's so self-defeating. Needle in sport is compelling. Which isn't to say that we should confect it, but when there are so few tennis rivalries with edge at the moment, it seems odd to be dancing to the players' tune, almost literally, in this kind of way. Maybe this is overthinking it. From Wimbledon's perspective, this was a newsworthy moment, so they wanted to amplify it. Engagement is engagement, after all, though official accounts are generally less forthcoming about more controversial moments. Still, this remains part of a wider trend, where tournament-sanctioned highlights packages often edit out the more controversial moments, sending out a message that everyone should behave as impeccably as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner generally do. Advertisement O'Neill: I don't see Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz posting a dance to social media anytime soon. Maybe the beauty of the dance itself is that women athletes are sometimes more willing to choose friendship over feud. More willing to laugh it off. But should they have to? This taps into a wider societal issue whereby women are expected to be nice. Women being confrontational or unhappy can be treated as much more of a problem than when men act in the same way. Both players were asked about the dance and what it meant for their relationship and rivalry during their pre-tournament news conferences at Wimbledon. Gauff admitted that she thought Sabalenka's apology would have arrived quicker than it did, and acknowledged that she had been tempted to post something addressing the comments before the world No. 1 said sorry. But Gauff also said they are both tired of talking about what happened and hoped the video would show people they are 'on good terms.' 'We are good, we are friends. I hope the U.S. media can be easy on me right now,' Sabalenka said on Saturday. There is something that feels off about two athletes having to dance in order to prove to the world everything is OK. Should we not just listen to them instead? Another consideration is that this was posted to stop the noise online. Eccleshare: The bigger issue feels like players needing some room to vent and to be human after a sickening defeat. The volume of social media abuse individuals receive after making a misstep like Sabalenka did will only add to the pressure they feel about never saying the wrong thing. Sabalenka said in a news conference on Saturday that: 'I did what I did. I got what I deserved,' which felt like a sad lesson to have learned given how badly she was abused in the aftermath of the Roland Garros final. Advertisement She really didn't deserve that, and while doing a dance is something Sabalenka likes doing to bond with other players — she did one with Świątek towards the end of last year as well — one hopes that players know it's OK if they want to be honest in a difficult moment. Frances Tiafoe, the American world No. 12, acknowledged this on Saturday when he praised Sabalenka and Gauff for their move, but added: 'It wouldn't be too bad if they were also back and forth (at one another). That would be kind of cool if they kind of didn't like each other.' Just look at a quote like this: 'To lose against someone like that, it's very disappointing, because you feel like he was mentally out of it already. Just gets the lucky shot at the end, and off you go… 'Confidence? Are you kidding me? I mean, please. I remember losing junior matches. Just being down 5-2 in the third, and they all just start slapping shots. It all goes in for some reason.' So said Roger Federer to explain how he had just lost the 2011 U.S. Open semifinal to Novak Djokovic, having held two match points. Pretty graceless, right? The sort of thing that nowadays would probably have led to so much condemnation online that Federer would have had to issue an apology on social media and stage manage some sort of reconciliation. A handshake, perhaps, or a practice session together. Because in 2025, it's seemingly no longer OK to have a bit of needle in a rivalry, or to vent after a painful defeat. O'Neill: Does this completely end the rivalry? No, it just takes the edge off it, which is perhaps what's strange about a tournament engaging in that process. Why defuse something that tennis fans want to be exciting? If Sabalenka and Gauff meet in the final on July 12, do you think they will be dancing then?
