Latest news with #Hunted
Daily Record
19-07-2025
- Daily Record
Ex-cop Peter Bleksley slams Police Scotland over unsolved murder of Alistair Wilson
The police investigation into the murder of Nairn banker Alistair Wilson more than 20 years ago has been criticised by former detective turned TV presenter Peter Bleksley. Former undercover cop and star of Channel Four's hit show Hunted has launched a scathing attack on the police's handling of their investigation into the murder of banker Alistair Wilson. Peter Bleksley - who spent more than 20 years with the Metropolitan Police - says it's is a case that could have and should have been solved years ago and claims to know the identity of the person responsible. Alistair was gunned down on the steps of his Victorian villa in Crescent Road, Nairn on November 28, 2004, after bathing his two sons before bed. A mystery man, who had knocked on the door carrying a blue birthday card style envelope with the name Paul on it, had asked for Alistair by name that Sunday before opening fire and running off. In the last 21 years police appeared to have drawn a blank in their hunt for the killer. Bleksley, who has been investigating Alistair Wilson 's murder since 2005, says he will be revealing new information about the case in a one man stage show that will tour Britain and Ireland from next January. The 65-year-old has been a vocal critic of the police probe for a number of years. He added:"From my first visit to the crime scene in 2005 I have always believed that this is a crime that could and should have been solved, if it hadn't been for the lamentable errors by Northern Constabulary and then Police Scotland. "I believe that as firmly today as I did back then. They should hang their heads in shame as this is a case that should have been wrapped up and dealt with a long time ago. "It's outrageous and a deep dark stain stain on the reputation of Police Scotland that they have manifestly failed to solve such an emminently solvable case. "It has been blighted by mistakes since Alistair's wife Veronica made that first 999 call right up to today." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Last September, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain announced a new police investigation of the murder after meeting the Wilson family, including his widow, Veronica. Bleksley is inviting detectives to come along to hear what he has to say during the 106 date nationwide tour which includes performances in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh. In the show - The Makings of a Murderer - Bleksley will also be revealing details of who he thinks is the prime suspect. He believes he is a local Nairn man now in his 40's who is said to have access to firearms and served a recent prison sentence for drug offences. Bleksley added:"I have uncovered that he has a previous conviction for possessing an offensive weapon. He has other criminal convictions and has family that lives in Spain. "He has an uncle called Paul and I have been trying to get in front of him for some time without any luck. "If I were leading the murder inquiry this person would be of considerable interest. "I will be revealing a lot of new information about the police investigation and explaining why that particular individual is the person responsible. "I will hope that officers from Police Scotland will be sitting in the audience with notebooks and pens." Bleksley says Police Scotland have declined a number of offers over the year to meet him. He added:"They regard me as as a thorn in their side but they could have spoken with me in a collaborative manner. "They are very welcome to buy a ticket and pop along if they want. I have no objection to them coming." During his time in the Met in London Bleksley spent ten years undercover targeting organised crime, and solved a number of murders. He will devote the second half of each of next year's shows to his investigation into the Nairn murder. In 2018 he published the only book written to date on Alistair Wilson - To Catch a Killer - and believes that prompted police to review the case. Bleksley is hopeful that the new probe under Chief Supt Suzanne Chow will finally solve the murder and bring closure to the Wilson family who still live in the north east of Scotland seaside town. He added:"That case has taken up a huge amount of my time which is irrelevant compared to the hurt that the Wilson have family have felt "My work is far from done and it's is very much ongoing." Alistair Wilson's family have also criticised Police Scotland's efforts to find the killer. In December 2023, they complained to the Police Investigation and Review Commissioner (PIRC) about the handling of the force's investigation. They said they had been misled over plans to arrest a suspect in May that year which was called off. Last September the family said they had "lost confidence" in the national force and labelled it "incompetent". They then met First Minister John Swinney in January, who told them he hoped the new investigation would prove successful in their search for justice. Bleksley claims his suspect is the same man Police Scotland had planned to arrest two years ago. In 2022 Police Scotland revealed that a row over decking at the nearby Havelock Hotel may be linked to the murder and appealed to anyone who was a customer around then to come forward. The hotel's owner Andy Burnett had applied for retrospective planning permission which Alistair had objected to. The dad was shot dead only a few days after the objection was lodged with the local council. It then emerged that detectives had travelled to Nova Scotia in Canada to interview Burnett - who had emigrated there after selling the hotel - but stressed he was not a suspect. At the time of his murder Alistair was a business manager with the Bank of Scotland but was due to take up a new job in Inverness. Between 2015 and 2019 Bleksley played the part of The Chief in six series of Hunted. Chief Superintendent Suzanne Chow, Police Scotland, said: 'This is a live criminal investigation and our enquiries are ongoing. We are not in a position to discuss any details of our ongoing investigation. "Our relationship with Alistair's family is a priority and we are determined to bring those involved in Alistair's murder to justice. If you have any information that would assist detectives, please contact us on 101 or via the Major Investigation Public Portal (MIPP) or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.'
The Irish Sun
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Celebrity Hunted thrown into chaos as Strictly dancers crash BBC star's birthday with cameras in tow while on the run
CELEBRITY Hunted was thrown into chaos as two Strictly dancers crashed a BBC star's birthday with cameras in tow. Professional dancers Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu are 4 Strictly's Amy and Carlos will hope to evade the hunters in Celebrity Hunted Credit: Chris Eades 4 Carlos' past partners on the BBC show include actress Molly Rainford Credit: PA 4 Amy dancing with then-Eastenders star James Bye who played Martin Fowler Credit: PA The Sun can reveal the pair ended up at a co-star's birthday party while filming the Channel 4 series. A source said: 'Carlos and Amy were on the run but took a huge risk and turned up to Craig Revel Horwood's birthday party with cameras in tow - it was complete chaos as they were dodging pics and begging people not to post them! "The hunters were on their trail the whole time - nobody can believe they got away with it.' Amy and Carlos are up against Love Island hunks Read more on Celeb Hunted Former EastEnders star Former Royal Marine and Paralympian JJ will be partnered with Sophie Morgan, which will be a Celebrity Hunted first as the presenter is a wheelchair user. Comedians Laura Smyth and Jen Brister complete this year's line-up. Most read in News TV Contestants attempt to evade detection while being tracked by an elite team comprised of the world's best hunters. Among them are serving and ex-police officers, alongside some of the UK's top cyber experts. Celebrity Hunted viewers blast show as a 'complete set-up' In addition, they work alongside ex-military and intelligence services personnel. The most recent series of Celebrity Hunted saw The Blue singer and former model teamed up to successfully evade capture. Meanwhile, Leon Wilson, CEO Shine TV & Zeppotron, said at the time: "We're thrilled to be back into production on two new series of Hunted in 2025 for Channel 4. "The series was co-developed by our brilliant new Director of Programmes, Matt Bennett, who I'm delighted to say will once again be overseeing the show. "Viewers are also in for a treat with the Celebrity version, with an ace cast of new celeb fugitives raring to go on run." Celebrity Hunted airs on Channel 4. 4 Will the pair's risky Celebrity Hunted gamble pay off? Credit: Getty
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Micky van de Ven ready to prove doubters wrong as he makes Europa final vow
The Premier League's fastest ever player Micky van de Ven is used to silencing critics having been told as a teenager that he was too slow to become a professional footballer When Micky van de Ven was coming through at Volendam, the Dutch club's coach said he was too slow to become a pro. Then he became the fastest Premier League player on record. When Van de Ven joined Spurs in the summer of 2023 he was told to wave goodbye to dreams of winning silverware. Now he is one step from delivering the club's first trophy since 2008 – and again proving the naysayers wrong. Doubts and criticism have been fueling the Netherlands international's turbo engine since his mid-teens and he admits: 'I still use them now. At Volendam there were people who didn't have the trust in me and now I am standing here. I think I proved them wrong. 'But to be honest it was my dad, my mum and my sister who were the ones who kept pushing me.' Dad Marcel was an undercover agent for a serious crimes unit who has more recently appeared on a reality TV show, Hunted, in which he tracks down contestants who have gone on the run. And the calm, analytical mind required to crack cases have been passed down a generation. Being unflustered is imperative in Ange Postecoglou's daring system and Van de Ven has built a relationship with Cristian Romero that he describes as 'an unbelievable connection.' He adds: 'We just feel each other in the game. If he does something, I know how I need to cover him, how I can help him. On the other side it's the same — when I have the ball, he knows how to cover me. He knows how to help in every situation. "That is just the feeling we have grown into each other.' An Ajax fan, Van de Ven was in the Amsterdam crowd that saw Spurs stage the most dramatic of comebacks to reach the 2019 Champions League final – only for Liverpool to win another all-English decider. He understands how Tottenham 's history looms large but is utterly convinced that this group can change the culture and direction – in spite of the barbs from 'banter people' and social media drones. 'Everybody knows that when you join Tottenham, you get the words of 'Ah, you're not going to win a trophy', that you will be trophyless the rest of your career,' he adds. 'But all the guys that came up here were like, 'We're going to change something about this club.' 'It was the gaffer and it was the whole squad who said, 'We're going to come here and change something.' For us, it's the job now to make this happen in Bilbao. We all know we play for a big club. This club deserves trophies. That's the truth. 'If you look at the quality in the squad, we deserve a trophy. It has been a tough season but we can end this perfectly by winning a prize.'
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
My dad is a former undercover agent and TV star who'll be cheering me on in Europa League final, says Tottenham star
YOU'RE MICKED My dad is a former undercover agent and TV star who'll be cheering me on in Europa League final, says Tottenham star Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MICKY VAN DE VEN is out to crack the case of Tottenham's trophy drought — with the support of his detective dad. The Dutch defender will have his old man watching him in Bilbao as Spurs look to end 17 years without silverware by beating Manchester United in tomorrow's Europa League final. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Micky van de Ven is out to end Tottenham's trophy drought Credit: PA 4 Van De Ven's dad Marcel is former detective and TV star in the Netherlands Credit: Twitter @ESPNUK 4 The Dutchman was written off as a teenager at Volendam Credit: Getty Marcel van de Ven is a former undercover agent who later became famous on the Dutch version of TV show Hunted. Despite Van de Ven Sr's busy schedule fighting crime, somehow he still had time to go to all of his son's matches right from youth level. Micky, 24, said: "Every game he was there, even when I was younger. You have to ask him how he managed that! "Midweek, most of the time he was gone because he had a job to do and couldn't tell us everything about it. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL GAME OF THROW-INS How Gary's BBC exit will spark rivalry between MOTD hosts for World Cup "But at the weekend when we had to play, the most important part, he was always there. "Literally until today, he's everywhere. Every home game, every away game, he wants to be everywhere. He always tries to be there. "It was my dad, my mum and my sister who were the ones who kept pushing me. "Because even when you're younger, every year you get a new gaffer. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "Then the people around you are the ones you are close with. "Even now, these days after a game they help me. They're like, 'You could do this better or that better', they are still the people who help me." How Europa League final will be decided - four key Man Utd vs Tottenham tactical battles Marcel may have always backed his son's foray into football but Micky was not always so well supported by the professionals overseeing his development. In fact, there was a feeling at his first club Volendam that a teenage Van de Ven did not have the ability to make it as a footballer. It was only when former Sheffield Wednesday star Wim Jonk became his manager at the second-tier Dutch club that the young defender got his big break, which led him to Wolfsburg in 2021 then on to Spurs in the summer of 2023. And Van de Ven, also a Netherlands international, still uses being written off in his teens as motivation to succeed today. On those that believed he would not make the grade, he added: "That's crazy. "At Volendam there were people who didn't have the trust in me and now I am standing here. I proved them wrong." We have all been standing behind Ange since day one, since he joined here. Micky van de Ven Van de Ven's Spurs defensive partner Cristian Romero also once revealed he was so miserable at his own first club Belgrano back in Argentina that he considered quitting the game. Romero, nicknamed Cuti, went on to win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 alongside the iconic Lionel Messi. Tottenham ace Van de Ven continued: "There are a lot of players in their careers who get doubts from multiple people. "It depends a bit on how late in your career you are getting doubts, of course. "I was getting doubts when I was 17, 18 years old. "Then you might have to think about something different. Then it's all down to yourself and the people around you to keep pushing. "That's what Cuti probably did and that's what I did, and now we are both standing here. "And Cuti won a World Cup. I am now in a European final. It's a beautiful thing." 4 Coaches at Volendam told van de Ven he wouldn't make the grade Credit: Getty Now Van de Ven is determined to change Tottenham's trophyless 'Spursy' tag with victory over the Red Devils. He said: "It would be a big thing, of course. "Everybody knows that when you join Tottenham you get, 'Ah, you're not going to win a trophy', people saying you will be trophyless for the rest of your career. "All the guys that came up here were like, 'We're going to change something about this club'. "It was the gaffer and it was the whole squad who said, 'We're going to come here and change something'. "For us, it's the job now to make this happen in Bilbao." Van de Ven could come up against his compatriot Matthijs De Ligt, 25, in Bilbao — provided the United centre-back is fit to play. De Ligt may only be a year older yet he is a hero to Van de Ven, who used to watch him play for Ajax as a supporter in the stands when both were teenagers. Ironically, it was Tottenham's unforgettable comeback win against Ajax in the 2019 Champions League semi-final — when Lucas Moura scored a second-half hat-trick and Spurs won on away goals — that stands out most in his memory. Van de Ven explained: "The first thing that pops up in my head is the game against Tottenham. "I was in the stadium. He was playing that game. "These games I can remember are more from the Champions League when Ajax went to the semi-final. He was playing unbelievable. "When you're a young kid, you're looking up at him — captain at 18 years old, doing an unbelievable job. Then you think, 'I want to be like him'." Spurs have had an awful league campaign, with a record 21 defeats. Even if they beat United, boss Ange Postecoglou is expected to leave the club. Yet Van de Ven reckons the Aussie has proved his worth by taking the club to just its second European final in 41 years. He added: "We have all been standing behind the gaffer since day one, since he joined here. "He showed his quality, he brought us to a European final. "Of course, he's getting a lot of doubt from the media and we see these things. "But I think he proved all you guys wrong and we're standing in a European final, so hopefully we can lift the trophy. Not only for us but also for him."
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
My dad is a former undercover agent and TV star who'll be cheering me on in Europa League final, says Tottenham star
MICKY VAN DE VEN is out to crack the case of Tottenham's trophy drought — with the support of his detective dad. The Dutch defender will have his old man watching him in Bilbao as Spurs look to end 17 years without silverware by beating Manchester United in tomorrow's Advertisement 4 Micky van de Ven is out to end Tottenham's trophy drought Credit: PA 4 Van De Ven's dad Marcel is former detective and TV star in the Netherlands Credit: Twitter @ESPNUK 4 The Dutchman was written off as a teenager at Volendam Credit: Getty Marcel van de Ven is a former undercover agent who later became famous on the Dutch version of TV show Hunted. Despite Micky, 24, said: "Every game he was there, even when I was younger. You have to ask him how he managed that! "Midweek, most of the time he was gone because he had a job to do and couldn't tell us everything about it. Advertisement READ MORE ON FOOTBALL "But at the weekend when we had to play, the most important part, he was always there. "Literally until today, he's everywhere. Every home game, every away game, he wants to be everywhere. He always tries to be there. "It was my dad, my mum and my sister who were the ones who kept pushing me. "Because even when you're younger, every year you get a new gaffer. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "Then the people around you are the ones you are close with. "Even now, these days after a game they help me. They're like, 'You could do this better or that better', they are still the people who help me." How Europa League final will be decided - four key Man Utd vs Tottenham tactical battles Marcel may have always backed his son's foray into football but Micky was not always so well supported by the professionals overseeing his development. Advertisement In fact, there was a feeling at his first club Volendam that a teenage Van de Ven did not have the ability to make it as a footballer. It was only when former And Van de Ven, also a Netherlands international, still uses being written off in his teens as motivation to succeed today. On those that believed he would not make the grade, he added: "That's crazy. Advertisement "At Volendam there were people who didn't have the trust in me and now I am standing here. I proved them wrong." We have all been standing behind Ange since day one, since he joined here. Micky van de Ven Van de Ven's Spurs defensive partner Romero, nicknamed Cuti, went on to win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 alongside the iconic Lionel Messi. Tottenham ace Van de Ven continued: "There are a lot of players in their careers who get doubts from multiple people. Advertisement "It depends a bit on how late in your career you are getting doubts, of course. "I was getting doubts when I was 17, 18 years old. "Then you might have to think about something different. Then it's all down to yourself and the people around you to keep pushing. "That's what Cuti probably did and that's what I did, and now we are both standing here. Advertisement "And Cuti won a World Cup. I am now in a European final. It's a beautiful thing." 4 Coaches at Volendam told van de Ven he wouldn't make the grade Credit: Getty Now Van de Ven is determined to change He said: "It would be a big thing, of course. Advertisement "Everybody knows that when you join Tottenham you get, 'Ah, you're not going to win a trophy', people saying you will be trophyless for the rest of your career. "All the guys that came up here were like, 'We're going to change something about this club'. "It was the gaffer and it was the whole squad who said, 'We're going to come here and change something'. "For us, it's the job now to make this happen in Bilbao." Advertisement Van de Ven could come up against his compatriot De Ligt may only be a year older yet he is a hero to Van de Ven, who used to watch him play for Ironically, it was Tottenham's unforgettable comeback win against Ajax in the 2019 Champions League semi-final — Van de Ven explained: "The first thing that pops up in my head is the game against Tottenham. Advertisement "I was in the stadium. He was playing that game. "These games I can remember are more from the Champions League when Ajax went to the semi-final. He was playing unbelievable. "When you're a young kid, you're looking up at him — captain at 18 years old, doing an unbelievable job. Then you think, 'I want to be like him'." Spurs have had an awful league campaign, with a record 21 defeats. Advertisement Even if they beat United, boss Yet Van de Ven reckons the Aussie has proved his worth by taking the club to just its second European final in 41 years. He added: "We have all been standing behind the gaffer since day one, since he joined here. "He showed his quality, he brought us to a European final. Advertisement "Of course, he's getting a lot of doubt from the media and we see these things. "But I think he proved all you guys wrong and we're standing in a European final, so hopefully we can lift the trophy. Not only for us but also for him."
