Latest news with #BBCRadioNorthampton
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Leinster host Northampton in Champions Cup semi-final - listen & text
'We are one of the few teams who can beat Leinster' Leinster v Northampton (17:30 BST) Let's hear from the Englishman now... Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton, Fin Smith said: "We would like to think we are better prepared for this game than we were last year. "In the same breath, Leinster are also a very different side to what they were and it doesn't make the task any easier but I would like to say we won't be overwhelmed by the situation. "Since then a number of our squad have played in big international games in front of big crowds with loads riding on them, so hopefully all that experience will help us. "It's obviously a real challenge and we have to give them respect but we are not going to bow down. We will have a crack and see how we go. It should be a great game and one I'm looking forward to. "We are a side that is capable of beating anyone. We are definitely the underdogs and no-one is giving us a shot but we are one of the few teams that I believe can beat Leinster."
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Katie Hopkins vows to support convicted stalker Alex Belfield when he's released from prison in weeks
Katie Hopkins has vowed to support convicted stalker and former BBC presenter Alex Belfield after his release from prison. Belfield, currently incarcerated at HMP Fosse Way is expected to be released in June 2025 after serving three and a half years for stalking BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith and videographer Ben Hewis. He was also found guilty of "simple stalking" regarding theatre blogger Philip Dehany and BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine. READ MORE: Cancer-suffering man pointed air gun at EMAS staff in his Nottingham caravan READ MORE: Future unclear for Nottingham Trent University building shut over collapse fears Belfield, from Mapperley, plans to go on tour when he's released, as well as publish six books. He started his YouTube channel The Voice of Reason after his time at BBC Leeds and has promised to continue once he's released from prison. Now Katie Hopkins has come out in support of the 59-year-old ex-presenter. In a new video, she said Belfield inviting her on stage in Blackpool had a huge impact on her life. Katie Hopkins said: "Alex Belfield was the guy that gave me the opportunity to get back on the stage. Alex Belfield is who gave me a stage. "Only a couple of months to go until he's released. Alex has stayed incredibly sane. Addressing the publicity around Belfield's convictions, Ms Hopkins said: "When is it allowed to be over? When is he allowed to move on? "He gave me an opportunity, and I will not forget that and nor will I stop supporting him and nor stop helping him in any way I can to help him get back on his feet. "Even if you hate me for everything you are, I am a woman of my word, I will help Alex Belfield get back on his feet." Belfield has announced his tour from behind bars and his intention to release a series of books detailing his life story, his time in prison, and his trial. In a conversation with the Sunday Times, Jeremy Vine, who was harassed and trolled online by Belfield, said he is concerned about his imminent release, despite having restraining orders against him. Vine also disclosed that his latest thriller novel is partially based on his experience with Belfield as he draws upon his experience of being stalked online. Belfield shared the TV star's address and invited online followers to turn up at his home. Mr Vine said: "My youngest daughter was 13 then and she burst into tears when I told her there may be somebody who wants to hurt her. "He doesn't even know my daughter's name, but she's one of his victims."
BBC News
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Earl Spencer and Revd Coles lead praise for BBC DJ Bernie Keith
Earl Spencer and the Reverend Richard Coles have been leading tributes to a radio presenter marking 25 years presenting his BBC Keith started on 3 April 2000 on BBC Radio Northampton, presenting the morning programme on the 62-year-old was surprised on air on Friday with messages of congratulations from friends, colleagues and previous a message to the presenter, Earl Spencer said: "You're the best thing that Northamptonshire broadcasting has to offer." Keith joined the BBC after broadcasting on commercial radio in the Midlands and well as the morning programme on BBC Radio Northampton, he has also hosted a regional rock 'n' roll show for the BBC and performed his own comedy show at the Edinburgh Fringe Spencer said his 25 years was "a remarkable achievement; one that is appreciated by the whole county".Coles, a fellow broadcaster and former vicar in the Northamptonshire village of Finedon said the presenter was a "maestro"."You are simply the boss... here's to the next 25 [years]," he added. Northampton singer-songwriter Billy Lockett said it was a "huge achievement" to have presented the show for 25 years."I feel very honoured to call you a friend and to have been able to chat to you on the radio," he author Kathy Lette said he was "the most dazzling man in the media".She said he was "the most beautiful person, and I'm just so lucky to have been able to chat you over the years".Keith thanked those who had sent him messages, including his listeners, saying it was "very kind". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Changes needed if cuts hit vulnerable -Corby's Labour MP
A Labour MP has said changes will be needed if measures announced in Wednesday's mini-statement affect the most vulnerable Barron, who represents Corby and East Northamptonshire, said people who could not work needed to be Andrew, the Conservative MP for Daventry, said business people in his constituency were worried about changes to national insurance and business rate Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said measures announced in her statement would help "secure Britain's future and deliver prosperity for working people". Government analysis showed that, as a result of changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), some 370,000 people were expected to lose their entitlement altogether, and others would receive less than they expected. The average loss is £4,500 a Lee Barron told BBC Radio Northampton: "This now is about supporting people into work - that's what I'll be looking out for, and that's the case we'll be making as we move it forward."But, if does involve cuts to the most vulnerable, then I think there will need to be changes as far as that is concerned, and most backbenchers tend to agree with that." Barron added that work was the route out of poverty and, if people could not work, "we protect those to make sure that we don't impoverish those. "No-one comes into politics to put those most vulnerable into poverty." There had been some speculation that the Chancellor might have a change of heart on increases to national insurance contributions paid by businesses, or announce a rise in business rate relief, but neither happened. Stuart Andrew, the Conservative MP for Daventry in Northamptonshire, said: "As I go round my constituency, I meet with business people, i meet with pub landlords and farmers and they're all saying the same thing, that the rise in employers' national insurance contributions, which is coming in just a few days' time, is something that they're really worried about."They don't know how they're going to pay for that, and then you've got other things like the cut in the relief for business rates, and again that's having a huge impact."The government said the most vulnerable would be protected from spending cuts, and falling inflation in 2026 would "give families and businesses the security they need". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coles seeks Saints lift after 'fragmented season'
Lock Alex Coles hopes to put injury niggles behind him and help Northampton Saints end a difficult season in a positive manner. The 25-year-old was a second-half replacement in Friday's 33-0 Premiership defeat by Leicester Tigers, having been an unused member of the England squad during the Six Nations. "Any time you get a call-up internationally, it's great, but just generally for me it's been a fragmented season, I've not really strung any games together," Coles told BBC Radio Northampton. "I've had quite a few minor injuries that have taken me out for a few weeks and halted my momentum a bit. "The same thing happened in the autumn when I was supposed to be in the (England) squad, so I was pleased they still wanted to have me around in some shape or form. "The thing for me now is to try to get a run of games for Saints, end the season really strongly and then, hopefully, from the England point of view, try to get on that plane to Argentina (this summer)." Coles scored five tries in 24 appearances last season as Northampton won their first Premiership title for 10 years and reached the semi-finals of the European Champions Cup. They are only eighth in the league this term following last week's home loss to Leicester, but still harbour hopes in Europe, with a home last-16 tie against French side Clermont coming up on 4 April. Time for Saints to 'right some wrongs' - Freeman Northampton lost a number of senior players following their successes in 2024, including Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam and Alex Waller. And Coles - who described last season as being like "a bit of a fever dream almost" - believes it is now time for others to step up to the mark. "We came in on Sunday (after the Leicester game), really holding the mirror up to ourselves and asking, as a group, have we been in the right place enough over the season," he said. "It's been well spoken about that we lost some of that experience within the playing squad and we just need to ask 'are we going to take this upon ourselves and drive this team forward?' "There is so much potential here and we've shown, in (some) games throughout the season, what our top level is. At the moment we're not quite doing it enough." Northampton will warm up for the Clermont tie when they continue their league campaign with a trip north to take on Sale Sharks on Friday evening. Asked whether it might be easier to be away from home for the first game following the defeat by Tigers, Coles replied: "I'd rather play at home again and try to pay back all our loyal supporters and give them a performance to be proud of. "Sale are a very strong team, very well organised, we're aware of their threats but the main thing for us is getting ourselves back on track." Alex Coles was speaking to BBC Radio Northampton sports editor Graham McKechnie.
