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Evening Standard
an hour ago
- Politics
- Evening Standard
Minister won't say if terror group Hamas has to release Israeli hostages for UK to recognise Palestinian state
But asked if Hamas releasing hostages was a condition for the UK to recognise a Palestinian state, Ms Alexander told BBC radio: 'Hamas need to release the hostages, they need to disarm, and they also need to accept that they will have no future role in the governance of Gaza.
Kuwait Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Tributes flood in for Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne
Tributes poured in Wednesday for hell-raiser singer Ozzy Osbourne as Black Sabbath bandmates mourned the death of their legendary frontman and tearful fans laid flowers in his hometown Birmingham, just weeks after he played an epic reunion concert there. Osbourne, nicknamed the 'Prince of Darkness' who famously once bit off the head of a bat while on stage, died on Tuesday at the age of 76, his family said. The heavy metal star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, passed away just over a fortnight after playing the final gig before a sold-out crowd in his home city of Birmingham, England. Fans there laid floral tributes in memory of the singer at a mural honoring the band. 'There are no words, truly. Thank you for everything, for all the music,' read one. 'Even recently at your last gig you brought us so much happiness, it's unreal,' added another. Bandmates' tributes Original bandmates led the tributes on social media, with guitarist Tony Iommi saying, 'there won't be another like him'. Bassist Geezer Butler added: 'So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.' And drummer Bill Ward said Osbourne would forever be in his heart, signing off his post with 'Never goodbye. Thank you forever.' Band co-founder Iommi said Osbourne's death so soon after the well-received musical reunion - their first in 20 years - had been a 'terrible shock'. The concert had been 'brilliant for Ozzy because he really wanted to do that, you know, he felt at home there (in Birmingham) and it was really good for him', he told BBC radio. 'It was good for all of us... we didn't realize it was going to be this final,' he added. British singer Ozzy Osbourne (left) and wife British television personality Sharon Osbourne present the award for Best Rap/Sung Performance during the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020.--AFP photos British singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne (left) and his daughter Kelly Osbourne arrive for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. British singer Ozzy Osbourne poses for pictures backstage after he was awarded the title of 'Global Icon' during the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 9, 2014. British rocker Ozzy Osbourne (center) poses with friends and musicians Marilyn Manson (left) and Robbie Williams (right) during a ceremony unveiling his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 12 April, 2002 in Hollywood, CA. Inductees Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath gesture after being inducted during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York 13 March 2006. Kelly (left), Ozzy (center) and Sharon Osbourne arrive for the Recording Academy and Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 25, 2020. Flowers are left at Ozzy Osbourne's Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. A person sells t-shirts next to the Hollywood Walk of Fame star of late British singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne on July 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. Flowers, candles and photos are left at a makeshift memorial on Black Sabbath Bridge, in memory of late British singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, in Birmingham, central England on July 23, 2025. A photograph taken on July 23, 2025 shows flowers, candles and drawings left at a makeshift memorial on Black Sabbath Bridge, in tribute of late British singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, in Birmingham, central England, a day after his death. Fans gather in front of a makeshift memorial on Black Sabbath Bridge, in tribute of late British singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, in Birmingham, central England, on July 23, 2025, a day after his death. 'So much more than metal' US rocker Alice Cooper hailed Osbourne on Instagram as 'an unmatched showman and cultural icon'. Music icon Elton John praised him as 'a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend'. 'He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly,' John wrote on Instagram. Osbourne was instrumental in pioneering heavy metal - an offshoot of hard rock - as Black Sabbath enjoyed huge commercial success in the 1970s and 80s after forming in Birmingham in 1968. Black Sabbath's eponymous 1970 debut album made the UK top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit records, including their most famous song 'Paranoid'. Black Sabbath went on to sell more than 75 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Osbourne was added for a second time last year as a solo artist. Rabies shots He gained huge notoriety along the way for his outlandish stunts, many of them fueled by his hard-living style, which included the lavish use of drugs and alcohol. His live performances at the height of his hedonism have gone down in rock folklore, particularly a 1982 gig in Des Moines, Iowa, when he bit the head off a bat on stage. Osbourne said he thought a fan had thrown a fake rubber bat onstage, and it was not until he took a bite that he realized it was real. 'I can assure you the rabies shots I went through afterwards aren't fun,' he told US TV host David Letterman in 1982. His public persona took a new turn with the reality television series 'The Osbournes' in the 2000s, which followed the ups and downs of his family life alongside wife Sharon, whom he married in 1982, and their three children. Osbourne, who had been battling ill health for over 20 years, went public with his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2020. He reportedly died at his mansion in Buckinghamshire, northwest of London. Caroline Rassell, chief executive of the charity Parkinson's UK, said by 'speaking openly' about his diagnosis he and his family had helped many in the same situation. 'They normalized tough conversations and made others feel less alone with a condition that's on the rise,' she said. Osbourne brought the curtain down on a wild career on July 5, when Black Sabbath rattled through their most iconic songs in front of 40,000 adoring fans at Villa Park, home of Premier League football club Aston Villa. Stylish to the very end, he held court from a giant leather throne, topped with a bat. — AFP
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Legendary TV commentator reunited with stars of viral video clip on retirement day
Derek 'Tommo' Thompson, 74, was given a special send-off as he delivered his final commentary at Wolverhampton on Tuesday after 60 years in broadcasting Legendary TV commentator Derek Thompson was reunited with the stars of a viral video clip as part of a special send-off on his final day behind the mic. The 74-year-old, who has worked on the racecourse for BBC radio, ITV, Channel 4, At The Races and Sky Sports Racing, has been a stalwart of the industry for nearly 60-years. He has also been the star of the sport's most famous viral moment when he mistook a man for a woman while he was hosting the racing coverage on Sky. It's been watched more than 28 million times and even got an airing on the Graham Norton Show on BBC1. READ MORE: King and Queen 'working on' finding an elusive first Royal Epsom Derby winner In his handover from the studio to reporter Robert Cooper at Hereford, Thompson, said: 'I see you've been joined by a beautiful lady', to which Cooper replied, 'It's a man actually, Derek'. So during Thompson's final commentary stint at Wolverhampton he relived that moment from 18 years ago with the now retired Cooper and Matthew Jones, the then Hereford clerk of the course who was the victim of the error, for Sky Sports Racing Discussing the reaction to the clip, Jones said: 'At the time nothing happened at all. It was a few years later when it all blew up.' Cooper said: 'I was just standing there about to give a going report. Tommo handed that over. I couldn't believe what he said. I said, 'It's a man actually, Derek'. And I was trying to explain to you [Jones] what was going on.' Thompson told them the viral clip had 'changed my life', if not theirs, on a celebratory night at the track. The Marco Botti-trained Space Bear (100-30) was a decisive two-length winner in his final race, the It's A Photo – Big Fella EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Thompson told Sky Sports Racing: 'It has been absolutely incredible, I'm nearly shedding a tear. It's ridiculous as I'm a tough cookie, but this is marvellous tonight. 'I've enjoyed it and people have come from all over to be here tonight. Normally after the last race people are rushing off to their cars but we've had thousands here, it's superb.' On his final call, he added: 'I'll never ever forget it. I'm quite moved and it's difficult to concentrate as I'm not working any more – I'm talking into the microphone, but I'm not holding it.'
Irish Examiner
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Derek Thompson bringing the curtain down on commentary career
Derek Thompson feels the time was right to end his commentary career, as he prepares to pick up the microphone for the final time at Wolverhampton on Tuesday night. Thompson is one of the most recognisable figures in the racing industry having spent time commentating on-course and for BBC radio, while also presenting for ITV, Channel 4, At The Races, and Sky Sports Racing during a nearly 60-year broadcasting career. The 74-year-old was even part of a three-strong party alongside Lord Oaksey and The Sun's Peter Campling that attempted to negotiate the release of Shergar after the 1981 Derby winner was kidnapped. He also enjoyed time in the spotlight when what became his famous catchphrase, "Are you well? I thought you were", appeared on Radio One courtesy of Greg James before going viral, as did an At The Races clip of him when he mistook a man for a woman during an exchange with Robert Cooper. But now 'Tommo' is taking a step back and Dunstall Park will be the last time he calls them home at a race meeting. Thompson said: "I'll be brutally honest, it's not going to be easy because I still love it to this day and I'm so proud that I'm one of about 20 people that do the race calling in the UK. "I've been doing it for so many years that it's time to move on. It's not getting any easier, but I still love it. I've been very lucky, I'm paid to go to the races. Other people have to pay to get in. I've got the best seat in the house. "I'm absolutely stunned by the amount of people that have come up — and that's not just older people like me, but younger people as well — and said can I have a selfie, can I have your autograph. It's just lovely. The messages I've been getting on social media, thank you so much, it's lovely, it almost brought a tear to my eye. It's very moving and it makes me feel very proud. While Thompson will be putting down his binoculars, he certainly does not plan to be a stranger to the racecourse and hopes to take his affable style around Britain. Thompson said: "I'll still be presenting at the racetracks around the country and hoping to organise a little tour called, 'Are you well? I thought you were', or 'It's a man actually, Derek', so we're hoping to continue the fun side of racing because I'm a great believer in enjoying racing. "The memories, and there's some great stories, many of which we can't tell, but the ones we can I'd love to, we're hoping to start a podcast. I will still be going (racing) because I enjoy working. I've been very lucky over the years, working with people like John Francome, Brough Scott." Thompson also famously once raced against the then future King in a charity event and remembers the race fondly. He said: "I beat him, Prince Charles as he was then. I rode a horse for Nicky Henderson called Classified and I beat him at Plumpton. "There were about 12 runners, it was a two-mile Flat race and it was incredible. "We occasionally have a chat at the races, Royal Ascot and stuff and we get together sometimes. "I always say, 'Sir, I'm sorry I beat you all those years ago and he says 'don't worry, I forgave you', but the (late) Queen goes, 'but I haven't, Tommo'. It was incredible." Reflecting on his illustrious career behind the microphone, one of Thompson's favourite memories was calling Frankel's racecourse debut at Newmarket when Henry Cecil's charge launched the beginning of an unbeaten 14-race career. And Thompson has fond memories of the late, great Cecil and the empathy he showed when he was dealing with bowel cancer in 2012. He said: "I did the first commentary on Frankel when he won at Newmarket — what a horse. "I used to go and sit with Henry Cecil on the gallops. I remember I had cancer and I was coming out of hospital and I was very weak and I used to go on the gallops at Newmarket. "I remember him saying, 'come on, sit down next to me', and we watched the horses because I could hardly stand up. It was just lovely and I remember watching Frankel coming up there and he was one of my favourite horses. I miss Henry to this day." Red Rum's first Grand National victory in 1973 will forever remain one of the fondest from the many commentaries — in this case radio — Thompson has done during his career. He said: "The 1973 Grand National, Red Rum and Crisp. I'm the youngest ever commentator, 22, of the Grand National. "There was Michael Seth-Smith at the first, Michael O'Hehir was at Becher's, I was at Valentine's and then I handed back to Peter Bromley and he did the best commentary I've ever heard on a race finish. "Crisp and Richard Pitman were 30 lengths clear passing me and Red Rum got up on the line to win. "Red Rum was probably the greatest horse of all time. There's so many — Frankel, Brigadier Gerard, Nijinsky, Shergar, I've been lucky enough to see all of those."
Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
TV legend who famously beat King Charles in charity race ends 60-year career on Tuesday
Derek 'Tommo' Thompson, 74, who famously beat King Charles III in a charity race will commentate on his last race at Wolverhampton on Tuesday night Legendary TV commentator Derek Thompson brings down the curtain on his 60 year career when he calls his final race at Wolverhampton on Tuesday. One of the most recognisable figures in horse racing has been a regular on-course and for BBC radio, while also presenting for ITV, Channel 4, At The Races and Sky Sports Racing during a nearly 60-year broadcasting career. The 74-year-old was even part of a three-strong group that attempted to negotiate the release of Shergar after the 1981 Derby winner was kidnapped. He also enjoyed time in the spotlight when what became his famous catchphrase, 'Are you well? I thought you were', appeared on Radio One courtesy of Greg James before going viral, as did an At The Races clip of him when he mistook a man for a woman during an exchange on Sky. Thompson said: 'I'll be brutally honest, it's not going to be easy because I still love it to this day and I'm so proud that I'm one of about 20 people that do the race calling in the UK. 'I've been doing it for so many years that it's time to move on. It's not getting any easier, but I still love it. I've been very lucky, I'm paid to go to the races. Other people have to pay to get in. I've got the best seat in the house.' Thompson announced he would be retiring from the commentators' booth last year. He continued: 'I'm absolutely stunned by the amount of people that have come up – and that's not just older people like me, but younger people as well – and said can I have a selfie, can I have your autograph. It's just lovely. 'The messages I've been getting on social media, thank you so much, it's lovely, it almost brought a tear to my eye. It's very moving and it makes me feel very proud.' While Thompson will be putting down his binoculars, he certainly does not plan to be a stranger to the racecourse and hopes to take his affable style around the country. Thompson said: 'I'll still be presenting at the racetracks around the country and hoping to organise a little tour called, 'Are you well? I thought you were', or 'It's a man actually, Derek', so we're hoping to continue the fun side of racing because I'm a great believer in enjoying racing. Thompson also famously once raced against the then future King in a charity event and remembers the race fondly. He said: 'I beat him, Prince Charles as he was then. I rode a horse for Nicky Henderson called Classified and I beat him at Plumpton. 'There were about 12 runners, it was a two-mile Flat race and it was incredible. We occasionally have a chat at the races, Royal Ascot and stuff and we get together sometimes. 'I always say, 'Sir, I'm sorry I beat you all those years ago and he says 'don't worry, I forgave you', but the (late) Queen goes, 'but I haven't, Tommo'. It was incredible.'
