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The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
We're left scrapping for benefits in UK's ‘PIP city' while jobless kids claims £100s thanks to TikTok ‘sickfluencers'
During The Sun's visit, fed-up residents say what was meant to be a safety net for those too ill or disabled to work has become a cushion for the lazy PIPPED TO IT We're left scrapping for benefits in UK's 'PIP city' while jobless kids claims £100s thanks to TikTok 'sickfluencers' BATTLING heart issues and a crumbling spine that has left her reliant on a mobility scooter, Beryl Davis faces a daily fight to survive on her meagre disability benefits. But, she says, life in the town dubbed 'PIP city' comes with an extra gut-punch - as hard-up pensioners like her watch young, jobless chancers game the UK's broken welfare system, inspired by so-called TikTok 'sickfluencers'. 8 Beryl Davis faces a daily fight to survive on her meagre disability benefits Credit: Ben Lack 8 Hartlepool now has one of the highest rates of disability benefit claimants in the entire country Credit: Ben Lack The troubling scenes in Hartlepool - where in some areas nearly one in four adults claim Personal Independence Payments (PIP) - have created a bitter divide between hard-grifting older folk with genuine illnesses and what they see as work-shy younger generations shamelessly exploiting legal loopholes. It is a schism that shines a light on a wider debate gripping Britain, where - despite there being many young people legitimately claiming benefits - vulnerable pensioners living on minimal support fear they are being left in the lurch in favour of unscrupulous claimants. Beryl, 71, reveals: 'One person I know claimed it for acne, another for OCD. It's far too easy to get hold of these days. 'I have a genuine disability. I don't understand how some people are getting it so easily when people like me have to fight for it. 'I know someone in his twenties, diabetic, and yes, he has some health issues, but he's just been awarded the full whack and he's pulling in about £1,600 a month. "He could work. He chooses not to." Famous for its shipyards and steelmaking that were once at the centre of Britain's industrial revolution, Hartlepool has a proud history built off the back of its tireless work force. But during The Sun's visit, fed-up residents say what was meant to be a safety net for those too ill or disabled to work has become a cushion for the lazy, especially among the under-40s. The northern town, in Co Durham, now has one of the highest rates of disability benefit claimants in the entire country, with 22.3 per cent of working age adults receiving PIP across six of its central wards. A Sun analysis of official data reveals 6,737 of 30,154 working-age adults here are now receiving the benefit, with more than 2,000 people aged between 16 and 64 claiming PIP for anxiety and depression. Stop handing out new cars for FOOD INTOLERANCE says Kemi Badenoch as she demands Labour cut ballooning benefits bill Among them is a 24-year-old who told us, on condition of anonymity, how he used TikTok guides to secure a successful mental health claim. It comes after we revealed how brazen "sickfluencers" are gaining thousands of followers on social media by explaining how to game PIP application forms and ramp up the scoring criteria. Shocking recent figures revealed how claims across the UK are at a record high, with 16 to 19-year-olds now making up 16.5 per cent of all PIP cases - up from 14.6 per cent in 2019. The unemployed lad told us how he used tips posted by one influencer to explain how his ability to carry out tasks was affected by social anxiety - despite not having a formal medical diagnosis. Stop handouts for minor conditions, says Badenoch By Ryan Sabey and Noa Hoffman FACE-TO-FACE welfare claim assessments are needed to stop taxpayers' money being used to fund cars for people with minor conditions like food intolerances, Kemi Badenoch says. The Tory leader called for a crackdown — with the health and disability benefits outlay set to spiral to £100billion by the end of the decade. She wants to stop flagrant abuse of the taxpayer-subsidised Motability scheme, which was designed to provide cars for the disabled — and also to target online 'sickinfluencers' who tell claimants what to say in interviews to play the system. Ms Badenoch said in a speech the number of in-person checks has slipped because of the pandemic, being replaced with cheaper phone interviews. She said: 'Approval rates have soared, and we now have online 'sickfluencers' selling people scripts to maximise their scores on an assessment. "We need to build in proper medical evidence to the system. And go back to face-to-face assessments which never recovered after Covid. "Food intolerances are a medical fact, but they're not something we should be handing out new cars for. "That is not a joke. This actually happens.' Stats show around £600million went on Motability last year from the Department for Work and Pensions, and 589,000 claimants had cars as of April. Ms Badenoch said it needed to go as it was a 'perfect example' of a welfare system out of control. She said: 'People are qualifying with conditions like drug misuse, ADHD and obesity. 'The assessment system surely can't have been designed with that intention. And we can't allow it to continue for a moment longer.' He said: "The TikTok videos basically told me which questions to answer and what to say to have the best chance of being approved. "I had a phone call from an assessor which basically lasted for 30 minutes and they agreed that I couldn't work. "I'm now getting £74 a week." Asked if he was genuinely anxious to the point of being unable to work, the youngster said: "I used to work in a supermarket but I found it too much to interact with people. Maybe if there was a job I could do from home, it would be okay." He denied gaming the system, despite shopping among crowds in the town centre, "because there's no jobs around here, anyway". PIP hotspot Across six central wards in Hartlepool, a staggering one in five working-age adults is now on PIP. For many, the ire is pointed at drug users and street drinkers we saw congregating by a community centre. One, seen leaving a corner shop, with a carrier bag filled with beer, said he had "mental health" and "was stressed". 8 Paula Spence, 70, was forced to retire aged 55 and has been reliant on PIP since Credit: Ben Lack 8 Across six central wards in Hartlepool, a staggering one in five working-age adults is now on PIP Credit: Ben Lack At a sandwich shop in the town centre, Claire Jarvis, 43, revealed how her husband had not been able to secure PIP despite being diagnosed with prostate cancer and undergoing gruelling radiation therapy. She said: 'I understand that some people genuinely need benefits - I'm not against that. But I think the wrong people are getting the help while people who really need it are being left with nothing. 'My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. "He went through radiotherapy, he still suffers now - he's got burns all over his back, his bowels are damaged, and he's had to go to work because he's scared he'll lose his job. "And yet when we applied for PIP, he scored zero on the assessment. 8 Claire Jarvis, 43, revealed how her husband had not been able to secure PIP despite being diagnosed with prostate cancer Credit: Ben Lack 8 A Taxpayers Alliance analysis suggested there were 187 PIP claimants for every 1,000 Hartlepool residents Credit: Ben Lack "Meanwhile, there are people who are playing the system, claiming for mental health or back pain without any proper diagnosis, and they're getting everything. "People say there are no jobs but that's nonsense. If you wanted a job, you could go out and get a job. "It's galling to work hard while other people are in the beer garden spending their benefits." Mrs Jarvis' co-worker Charlie Williamson, 26, missed out on support for her five-year-old daughter who has epilepsy. She told how she comes to work despite suffering from anxiety and the stresses of caring for her young child. The wrong people are getting the help while people who really need it are being left with nothing. Claire Jarvis, 43 Ms Williamson said: "I was just in this dark place where I just had no motivation to do anything. I was just getting myself in a dark place. "I was scared to work because of the anxiety, but then at the same time, I wanted to work. "I'm glad that I do work. I absolutely see the importance of it and I look forward to it now." A Taxpayers Alliance analysis suggested there were 187 PIP claimants for every 1,000 Hartlepool residents, the second highest rate in England behind the Merseyside constituency of Knowsley. They are among 12 local authorities in England and Wales where the proportion on PIP exceeds one in six. Anyone with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that affects their day-to-day life can get PIP, including adults in full-time employment. 8 Mrs Jarvis' co-worker Charlie Williamson, 26, missed out on support for her five-year-old daughter who has epilepsy Credit: Ben Lack PIP is split into two parts and claimants can be eligible for both. The daily living part goes to adults needing help with everyday tasks, whereas the mobility part is doled out to those who require assistance getting around. Applicants are assessed on a points-based system, scoring between zero and 12 depending on how much difficulty they have with basic day-to-day activities - such as preparing and eating food. At present, anyone who scores between eight and 11 points qualifies for the standard rate of the daily living component, currently worth £73.90 a week. Those awarded 12 points or more receive the enhanced rate, paying £110.40 a week. Under existing rules, applicants must reach at least eight points - across any combination of tasks - to receive the lowest level of support. 'Genuinely needy overlooked' Paula Spence, 70, was forced to retire aged 55 and has been reliant on PIP since. She said: 'I've worked since I was 16 - I was a hairdresser, then later a lollipop lady, which I loved. "But the cold weather and standing for hours ruined my joints. I was laid off at 55 on medical advice, and I've never worked since. I'm on PIP now because I genuinely need it. 'I'll be honest - there are some people around here who just don't want to work. Some are lazy. They're on the dole, they claim PIP for things that don't stop them working, and it's wrong. I'm not saying that's everyone, but it does happen. "Meanwhile, there are genuine cases where people are really struggling, and they're the ones being made to jump through hoops.' 8 Hartlepool is among 12 local authorities in England and Wales where the proportion on PIP exceeds one in six Credit: Ben Lack Figures show nearly a third of working-age adults in some parts of England are now claiming PIP, with more than 3.6 million people receiving it as of January - up from just over two million three years ago. Critics say the spiralling £143billion welfare bill should serve as a wake-up call to ministers after the Government was forced into a U-turn on proposed welfare reforms following pressure from over 120 MPs. The original plans, designed to save five billion by tightening eligibility for PIP, were shelved. A spokesperson for the Taxpayers Alliance said: "Many PIP assessments are now done remotely, with as little as two to four per cent of disability assessments happening in person. "Fewer in-person checks, less scrutiny, and rising appeal success rates suggest a system that's being outpaced and, in some cases, outmaneuvered.'
Scottish Sun
02-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Secret Uber Eats kitchen cooking ‘Big Boi Burgers' brazenly set up in tax-funded asylum hotel is SHUT DOWN
The hotel is part of a group which is set to get £2.5billion of taxpayers' money over ten years CHEEKY BURGERS Secret Uber Eats kitchen cooking 'Big Boi Burgers' brazenly set up in tax-funded asylum hotel is SHUT DOWN A SECRET Deliveroo and Uber Eats takeaway kitchen in a taxpayer-funded asylum hotel was exposed when two workers filmed themselves going inside. Footage showed fast-food orders being prepared on the premises, which houses hundreds of asylum seekers. Advertisement 5 A pop-up kitchen at the taxpayer-funded asylum hotel Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield, West Yorks, has been exposed Credit: Ben Lack 5 A sign on the door of the premises, which is closed to the public, states 'Uber Eats, Deliveroo Collection Point' Credit: YouTube 5 The kitchen at the asylum hotel was being sub-let to fast food businesses Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks Credit: YouTube Home Office officials confirmed to The Sun it was a 'misuse' of asylum accommodation — whose bosses have been paid millions to house migrants. An investigation was last night under way to assess if the pop-up kitchen at the Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield, West Yorks, was illegal under the terms of a contract signed between the Government and bosses of EC4 Hotel Ltd, the firm behind the accommodation. The probe will establish if EC4 broke the law by sub-letting the kitchen in recent months to fast food businesses Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks. 'Scared to speak up' Wakefield Council, which gave the businesses a license to operate, also launched an investigation. Advertisement EC4, which has three other hotels, is run by Monaco-based Nadja Kovic Nassar, 66, and had a turnover of nearly £18million in 2024. The Home Office spends £5million a day on contracts with Clearsprings, Mears Group and Serco to provide them with asylum accommodation. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, admitted last month that the controls the Government has over the contracts and their subcontractors were 'quite weak'. The Cedar Court hotel is part of the deal with Mears Group — which is set to get £2.5billion of taxpayers' money over ten years, from 2019 to 2029. Advertisement The row broke out after two men filmed themselves walking into the Cedar Court kitchen to show it was being used to cook grub for fast food customers. Footage showed a sign on the door of the premises, which is closed to the public, which stated: 'Uber Eats, Deliveroo Collection Point'. Illegal Channel migrant delivery riders ARRESTED as cops swoop on major asylum hotel after Sun expose Security officials swiftly moved the local duo off the premises and called police to the scene. In 2023 the Home Office announced plans to increase the number of asylum seeker spaces at Cedar Court from 148 to 306. Last night the hotel was on lockdown with security guarding the entrance — telling visitors it was private property. Advertisement A number of migrants were seen in the grounds seeking shade beneath a gazebo at the rear. A small five-a-side football goal was set up on the grass nearby. One staff member arriving for work refused to comment but said the hotel was closed and had been for five years to accommodate the migrants. A distraught neighbour said: 'There are comings and goings at all times of the day. Most of them staying here are working. They go to the bus stop and get picked up from the lay-by early in the morning. 'I've no idea what they're doing but they are working. They're all on bikes, coming and going. Advertisement 'I can't tell you how distressing it is. They hang around in large groups and I'm scared to go out. 'I was shocked to see the Deliveroo sign at the back but not surprised. 5 Fast food firms Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks have been shut down after the kitchen was exposed 'The Government is putting these people in small rural residential areas without a care for the people who live here. Advertisement 'We've spoken to the police repeatedly but they're just not interested. We're scared to speak up because we fear reprisals.' There are comings and goings at all times of the day. Most of them staying here are working Distraught neighbour In May a report said three firms who turned their hotels into migrant hubs — Clearsprings, Mears and Serco — had made combined profits of £383million since 2019 after the expected costs of housing asylum seekers tripled. Appearing before a parliamentary committee, Clearsprings and Mears said they would pay money back. Serco said they had not made enough profit to do so. When the taxpayer-funded contracts were signed in 2019, the vast majority of people were housed in accommodation within communities. Around a third are now housed in hotels, which come at a far greater expense to the public finances. Advertisement The Home Office last night confirmed that the takeaway kitchen operating in the Cedar Court Hotel was 'immediately' closed. A Home Office spokesperson told The Sun: 'This activity is wholly unacceptable. 'Immediate action has been taken to ensure the service is no longer operating at the site and we are in close contact with the provider. Cops in stab vests 5 A migrant in a Just eat delivery outfit pictured on his bike outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel, London Credit: Ray Collins Advertisement 'They have said residents at the hotel were not involved. "We take all allegations of misuse of asylum accommodation and the safety of residents extremely seriously. We will now be investigating.' Earlier this week the government called in bosses of Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat to demand urgent action to prevent immigration- offending on their platforms. It came after The Sun revealed how asylum seekers were suspected of earning from Just Eat and Deliveroo takeaway drops while claiming taxpayer handouts. Advertisement Immediate action has been taken to ensure the service is no longer operating at the site and we are in close contact with the provider Home Office The delivery firms agreed to increase the use of facial verification checks and fraud detection technology to help ensure only registered account holders can work off their platforms. Bosses were read the riot act at the precise moment on Tuesday as Immigration Enforcement made their first swoop outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel in London. More than 20 cops in stab vests scrambled from unmarked cars to pounce on migrants returning from shifts. Officers confronted at least ten men, two seen with delivery-branded food bags on bikes. The Sun approached Cedar Court Hotels, Mears Group and Wakefield Council for comment. Advertisement Last night fast food firms Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks had been shut down. A Deliveroo spokesperson told The Sun: 'Virtual brands like Absurd Stacks are fully registered food businesses, offering a delivery-only restaurant service. 'After being made aware of the potential relationship between the hotel group running the virtual brand and the Home Office, we suspended them from our platform while we investigate further.' An Uber Eats spokesperson said: 'We have suspended this restaurant's access to our platform and are fully investigating.'
The Irish Sun
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Secret Uber Eats kitchen cooking ‘Big Boi Burgers' brazenly set up in tax-funded asylum hotel is SHUT DOWN
A SECRET Deliveroo and Uber Eats takeaway kitchen in a taxpayer-funded asylum hotel was exposed when two workers filmed themselves going inside. Footage showed fast-food orders being prepared on the premises, which houses hundreds of asylum seekers. Advertisement 5 A pop-up kitchen at the taxpayer-funded asylum hotel Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield, West Yorks, has been exposed Credit: Ben Lack 5 A sign on the door of the premises, which is closed to the public, states 'Uber Eats, Deliveroo Collection Point' Credit: YouTube 5 The kitchen at the asylum hotel was being sub-let to fast food businesses Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks Credit: YouTube Home Office officials confirmed to The Sun it was a 'misuse' of asylum accommodation — whose bosses have been paid millions to house migrants. An investigation was last night under way to assess if the pop-up kitchen at the Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield, West Yorks, was illegal under the terms of a contract signed between the Government and bosses of EC4 Hotel Ltd, the firm behind the accommodation. The probe will establish if EC4 broke the law by sub-letting the kitchen in recent months to fast food businesses Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks. 'Scared to speak up' Wakefield Council, which gave the businesses a license to operate, also launched an investigation. Advertisement READ MORE UK NEWS EC4, which has three other hotels, is run by Monaco-based Nadja Kovic Nassar, 66, and had a turnover of nearly £18million in 2024. The Home Office spends £5million a day on contracts with Clearsprings, Mears Group and Serco to provide them with asylum accommodation. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame The Cedar Court hotel is part of the deal with Mears Group — which is set to get £2.5billion of taxpayers' money over ten years, from 2019 to 2029. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive The row broke out after two men filmed themselves walking into the Cedar Court kitchen to show it was being used to cook grub for fast food customers. Footage showed a sign on the door of the premises, which is closed to the public, which stated: 'Uber Eats, Deliveroo Collection Point'. Illegal Channel migrant delivery riders ARRESTED as cops swoop on major asylum hotel after Sun expose Security officials swiftly moved the local duo off the premises and called police to the scene. In 2023 the Home Office announced plans to increase the number of asylum seeker spaces at Cedar Court from 148 to 306. Last night the hotel was on lockdown with security guarding the entrance — telling visitors it was private property. Advertisement A number of migrants were seen in the grounds seeking shade beneath a gazebo at the rear. A small five-a-side football goal was set up on the grass nearby. One staff member arriving for work refused to comment but said the hotel was closed and had been for five years to accommodate the migrants. A distraught neighbour said: 'There are comings and goings at all times of the day. Most of them staying here are working. They go to the bus stop and get picked up from the lay-by early in the morning. 'I've no idea what they're doing but they are working. They're all on bikes, coming and going. Advertisement 'I can't tell you how distressing it is. They hang around in large groups and I'm scared to go out. 'I was shocked to see the Deliveroo sign at the back but not surprised. 5 Fast food firms Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks have been shut down after the kitchen was exposed 'The Government is putting these people in small rural residential areas without a care for the people who live here. Advertisement 'We've spoken to the police repeatedly but they're just not interested. We're scared to speak up because we fear reprisals.' There are comings and goings at all times of the day. Most of them staying here are working Distraught neighbour In May a report said three firms who turned their hotels into migrant hubs — Clearsprings, Mears and Serco — had made combined profits of £383million since 2019 after the expected costs of housing asylum seekers tripled. Appearing before a parliamentary committee, When the taxpayer-funded contracts were signed in 2019, the vast majority of people were housed in accommodation within communities. Around a third are now housed in hotels, which come at a far greater expense to the public finances. Advertisement The Home Office last night confirmed that the takeaway kitchen operating in the Cedar Court Hotel was 'immediately' closed. A Home Office spokesperson told The Sun: 'This activity is wholly unacceptable. 'Immediate action has been taken to ensure the service is no longer operating at the site and we are in close contact with the provider. Cops in stab vests 5 A migrant in a Just eat delivery outfit pictured on his bike outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel, London Credit: Ray Collins Advertisement 'They have said residents at the hotel were not involved. "We take all allegations of misuse of asylum accommodation and the safety of residents extremely seriously. We will now be investigating.' Earlier this week the government called in bosses of Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat to demand urgent action to prevent immigration- offending on their platforms. It came after Advertisement Immediate action has been taken to ensure the service is no longer operating at the site and we are in close contact with the provider Home Office The delivery firms agreed to increase the use of facial verification checks and fraud detection technology to help ensure only registered account holders can work off their platforms. Bosses were read the riot act at the precise moment on Tuesday as Immigration Enforcement made their first swoop outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel in London. More than 20 cops in stab vests scrambled from unmarked cars to pounce on migrants returning from shifts. Officers confronted at least ten men, two seen with delivery-branded food bags on bikes. The Sun approached Cedar Court Hotels, Mears Group and Wakefield Council for comment. Advertisement Last night fast food firms Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks had been shut down. A Deliveroo spokesperson told The Sun: 'Virtual brands like Absurd Stacks are fully registered food businesses, offering a delivery-only restaurant service. 'After being made aware of the potential relationship between the hotel group running the virtual brand and the Home Office, we suspended them from our platform while we investigate further.' An Uber Eats spokesperson said: 'We have suspended this restaurant's access to our platform and are fully investigating.' Advertisement
The Irish Sun
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Stephen Mulhern's You Bet filming suspended after on-set chaos as van ‘bursts into flames' causing thousands in damage
STEPHEN Mulhern's game show You Bet! was halted after a van burst into flames - with fire engines rushing to the scene. The TV star, 48, will return to our screens for the second series later this year and will be presenting solo after Holly Willoughby quit the show in March. Advertisement 4 YouBet! filming was thrown into chaos after a van caught fire on set Credit: Ben Lack 4 The incident happened on Friday as host Stephen Mulhern prepared to film an Emmerdale segment Credit: Ben Lack 4 Stephen will be back for a second series later this year Credit: ITV But filming for the new series hasn't gone smooth sailing. Popular telly host was filming a special Emmerdale segment in Yorkshire last Friday when a vehicle burst into flames. The fire quickly spread to prop vans nearby, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. Images showed ash and rubble around the destroyed vehicle on the grounds of Harewood House, where Emmerdale is filmed in Leeds. Advertisement READ MORE ON STEPHEN MULHERN "The blaze just started from a random vehicle which then resulted in vans used by the crew also go up in flames," an eyewitness told the 'There was obvious panic and it's a miracle nobody was harmed." The fire reportedly happened in close proximity to the ITV soap - but did not spread inside where filming takes place. As a result, filming was suspended but is set to continue this week. Advertisement Most read in News TV A spokesperson for You Bet! said to the publication: "Following an incident that was unrelated to filming, production for You Bet! was suspended as a precaution. "The situation was promptly assessed by the fire services and no-one was injured or affected. Watch the moment Stephen Mulhern is left red-faced as he makes HUGE blunder on Catchphrase puzzle "The health and safety of all individuals involved in the making of the programme remains our highest priority.' A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire Service added: "We were called at 15.57 on Friday to reports of a small vehicle on fire on Harewood Avenue. Advertisement "We sent two crews, Moortown and Wetherby. "On arrival this was found to be two vehicles on fire which crews extinguished. No reports of any injuries. "The cause has been recorded as accidental." ITV confirmed Advertisement It has been revealed that the show which saw competitors take on strange challenges will be taking it on the road. Each of the seven episodes, including a Christmas special - will take place in a different iconic locations around the country. An an ITV spokesman said: "Free from the restrictions of the studio - our epic challenges are about to get a whole lot bigger. "Watching on, our celebrity panel's job is simple; they must decide if each challenger will succeed - Yes or No. If they guess correctly, they'll be awarded points. Advertisement "The Celebrity with the most points at the end of the show will receive £5,000 for their chosen charity." The show will be re-named You Bet! On Tour for the new series. In March it was revealed Holly would not be returning to the show. An ITV spokesman told : "Unfortunately Holly couldn't commit to the dates to host the new series of You Bet!, but will hopefully appear as a guest panellist on one of the shows in the new series." Advertisement The iconic 80s gameshow featured ordinary people taking on a range of bizarre challenges as a panel of celebrity guests gambled on their success. Rob Beckett, Challenges included one couple identifying different types of cactus just by licking them. Another challenge was identifying different board games by the sounds they make when they are emptied from their boxes. Advertisement The likes of Bruce Forsyth, 4 Holly Willoughby quit the game show back in March Credit: ITV
Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Stephen Mulhern's You Bet filming suspended after on-set chaos as van ‘bursts into flames' causing thousands in damage
The game show is back with a brand new format GAME SHOW MAYHEM Stephen Mulhern's You Bet filming suspended after on-set chaos as van 'bursts into flames' causing thousands in damage Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STEPHEN Mulhern's game show You Bet! was halted after a van burst into flames - with fire engines rushing to the scene. The TV star, 48, will return to our screens for the second series later this year and will be presenting solo after Holly Willoughby quit the show in March. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 YouBet! filming was thrown into chaos after a van caught fire on set Credit: Ben Lack 4 The incident happened on Friday as host Stephen Mulhern prepared to film an Emmerdale segment Credit: Ben Lack 4 Stephen will be back for a second series later this year Credit: ITV But filming for the new series hasn't gone smooth sailing. Popular telly host Stephen was filming a special Emmerdale segment in Yorkshire last Friday when a vehicle burst into flames. The fire quickly spread to prop vans nearby, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. Images showed ash and rubble around the destroyed vehicle on the grounds of Harewood House, where Emmerdale is filmed in Leeds. "The blaze just started from a random vehicle which then resulted in vans used by the crew also go up in flames," an eyewitness told the Mail. 'There was obvious panic and it's a miracle nobody was harmed." The fire reportedly happened in close proximity to the ITV soap - but did not spread inside where filming takes place. As a result, filming was suspended but is set to continue this week. A spokesperson for You Bet! said to the publication: "Following an incident that was unrelated to filming, production for You Bet! was suspended as a precaution. "The situation was promptly assessed by the fire services and no-one was injured or affected. Watch the moment Stephen Mulhern is left red-faced as he makes HUGE blunder on Catchphrase puzzle "The health and safety of all individuals involved in the making of the programme remains our highest priority.' A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire Service added: "We were called at 15.57 on Friday to reports of a small vehicle on fire on Harewood Avenue. "We sent two crews, Moortown and Wetherby. "On arrival this was found to be two vehicles on fire which crews extinguished. No reports of any injuries. "The cause has been recorded as accidental." ITV confirmed You Bet! will be back with new episodes following the successful relaunch last year, but with a new format change. It has been revealed that the show which saw competitors take on strange challenges will be taking it on the road. Each of the seven episodes, including a Christmas special - will take place in a different iconic locations around the country. An an ITV spokesman said: "Free from the restrictions of the studio - our epic challenges are about to get a whole lot bigger. "Watching on, our celebrity panel's job is simple; they must decide if each challenger will succeed - Yes or No. If they guess correctly, they'll be awarded points. "The Celebrity with the most points at the end of the show will receive £5,000 for their chosen charity." The show will be re-named You Bet! On Tour for the new series. In March it was revealed Holly would not be returning to the show. An ITV spokesman told TV Zone: "Unfortunately Holly couldn't commit to the dates to host the new series of You Bet!, but will hopefully appear as a guest panellist on one of the shows in the new series." The iconic 80s gameshow featured ordinary people taking on a range of bizarre challenges as a panel of celebrity guests gambled on their success. Rob Beckett, Alison Hammond, Harry Redknapp and Rosie Ramsey made up the star gamblers as contestants vied for a £10,000 prize. Challenges included one couple identifying different types of cactus just by licking them. Another challenge was identifying different board games by the sounds they make when they are emptied from their boxes. The likes of Bruce Forsyth, Matthew Kelly and Darren Day previously fronted the show on their own.
