Latest news with #ITVCymruWales
ITV News
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Fans to join family and friends of musician Mike Peters at his funeral in Wales
Jules Peters talks to ITV Cymru Wales reporter Rob Shelley about the legacy of her husband Mike Peters ahead of his funeral Friends, family and fans of musician Mike Peters, who died at the age of 66, are expected to gather in Wales for his funeral on Thursday, 29 May. The rock star, who was frontman of Welsh band The Alarm, died on April 29 from blood cancer, more than 30 years after he was first diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) at the age of 36. More than 150 guests, some who have travelled from the US, will attend the funeral service in the village of Dyserth, near Prestatyn, alongside Peters' wife Jules, 58, and their sons Dylan, 21, and Evan, 18. Dylan and Evan are expected to carry a casket containing their father's ashes to church for the service, which will feature readings and musical performances. Peters' sons are expected to play guitar as those in attendance since Stand By Me, before Welsh TV presenter and opera singer Rhys Meirion, who is himself being treated for cancer, performs Anfonaf Angel. There will also be performances of Wonderwall, by Evan, and Fade In Fade Out Fade Away by Peters' longtime friend and collaborator Billy Duffy of The Cult. Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth will speak of Peters' contributions to Welsh culture, and Welsh singer and campaigner Dafydd Iwan will perform Yma O Hyd. The service is expected to be broadcast on a big screen outside the church for fans who are planning to attend. In a statement, Jules Peters said: 'Mike lived as he sang – with passion, courage, and an unshakeable belief in the power of people to make a difference. His voice may be still, but his message and music will never fade. 'Mike was so grateful for the love so many people showed him in his lifetime, and we are so grateful for the outpouring of love our family has received in the past few weeks since he died. 'Mike's music will keep us strong, and the community he built for all of us will sustain us. 'Today is a sad day, but it's also a celebration of his life and the legacy he created. Mike is very much here in spirit.' Reverend Gregor Lachlann-Waddell, the vicar at the Parish Church of St Bridget and St Cwyfan, said it was an 'honour and a privilege' to lead the service in the village 'Mike loved so much'. He said: 'The celebration we have carefully curated befits a man whose life was marked by music, resilience, and unwavering hope. 'While staying true to his Welsh roots, Mike found global fame, and the people who have come to celebrate his life today, many travelling thousands of miles, are reflective of the remarkable life he carved for himself and his family.' Peters, who supported U2 and Status Quo on tour and played with Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, underwent numerous drug treatments and rounds of chemotherapy, and had tried experimental therapy to keep his cancer at bay. Last year, five days before he was due to fly to Chicago for a 50-date US tour, he noticed that a lump in his neck had appeared overnight and doctors quickly realised the star had developed Richter's syndrome, where CLL changes into a much more aggressive lymphoma. He had been undergoing treatment at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester before his death. The artist first rose to prominence in the early 1980s with The Alarm, with hits including 68 Guns and Strength. He was made an MBE in 2019 for voluntary services to cancer care in north Wales and abroad. Alongside his wife, he co-founded Love Hope Strength, a cancer charity to encourage action around stem cell donation. Through its Get On The List campaigns, often publicised at rock concerts, the charity has added more than 250,000 people to stem cell registers worldwide.
ITV News
12-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Claire O'Shea: Cancer campaigner misdiagnosed with IBS dies aged 42
A woman who used the time she had left following a terminal gynaecological cancer diagnosis to improve outcomes for others has died. Claire O'Shea was diagnosed with stage-four uterine leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, in 2023 after initially being told she had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). She had waited almost two years to get a cancer diagnosis. By then, the cancer had spread to her lungs, liver and hip bone, and it was too advanced for doctors to save her life. After sharing her story publicly, Claire said she was contacted by hundreds of women and families with similar experiences in Wales and beyond. She launched Claire's Campaign a year ago, focusing on "ensuring policy change through people's voices and stories and campaigning to change the culture of dismissing women's voices in healthcare settings". A statement shared by Claire's Campaign said: "We are heartbroken to share that Claire O'Shea has passed away. She died today, Monday 12 May, surrounded by her loved ones. "Anyone who had the privilege of meeting Claire will remember her vibrancy, humour, and incredible determination. After receiving her own incurable gynaecological cancer diagnosis following a poor experience, Claire made it her mission to raise awareness and make sure that other women in Wales wouldn't have to go through the same. "Since launching Claire's Campaign exactly a year ago, hundreds of women have come forward to share their experiences, and the campaign has driven change at the highest level in government. The impact Claire has had is immeasurable, and we are so proud of everything she achieved. Even in her final days, Claire remained open, courageous, and committed to campaigning for change. "We owe it to Claire to continue this vital work, and we are passionate about keeping her legacy alive through Claire's Campaign. Thank you to everyone who supported Claire, and to all the women who bravely shared their stories. Together, we will honour Claire's memory and make sure no one facing gynaecological cancer is left unheard." In 2023, Claire's story formed part of a Senedd inquiry into how women with gynaecological cancer are treated in Wales. Its report found a "bias" against women and said women's cancer concerns were being "dismissed, downplayed and unheard". The report made 26 recommendations, most of which the Welsh Government accepted. Speaking to ITV Cymru Wales, Claire previously said: "The majority of the time it's women who are dismissed, like 'oh you're premenopausal, so you might be having symptoms because of that'. Or maybe 'you've got IBS,' which is what I was told. "Lots of partners, husbands, brothers and sons have been in touch as well, to say 'this has happened to my mum or to my sister', and sadly the women have died because the cancer has been found so late."
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Welsh Labour falls to third in poll as voters say 'they haven't got a clue'
Welsh Labour falls to third in poll as voters say 'they haven't got a clue' A new major poll suggests that Labour is heading towards its poorest performance in the history of devolution, potentially dropping to third place behind Plaid Cymru and Reform UK in the next Welsh Parliament elections. Wales Online readers have been debating the issue in our comments section. Released on the eve of the Senedd election anniversary, which will occur on 7 May 2026, the Barn Cymru poll by YouGov for ITV Cymru Wales and Cardiff University indicates a grim forecast for Labour, with their predicted share at just 18%, trailing behind Plaid Cymru's 30% and Reform UK's 25%. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Should these figures translate into actual votes, Plaid Cymru would emerge as the largest party with an estimated 35 seats, while Reform UK could secure around 30 seats. Labour would be left with 19 seats, and the Conservatives, who are currently the second-largest party, would fall to fourth place with nine seats. The Lib Dems are expected to gain three seats. READ MORE: New toilet-free trains described as 'absolute madness' are set to appear in Wales READ MORE: £205m investment for Cardiff Airport slammed by Bristol but 'brilliant news for Wales' The data reflects a shift in support away from Labour towards Reform UK and other left-wing parties, highlighting a general dissatisfaction with both the UK and Welsh governments. It also reveals that traditional Labour voters may opt for Plaid Cymru during Senedd elections. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Reacting to the poll results, First Minister Eluned Morgan described them as a "serious wake up call" for her party. She emphasised the gravity of the situation, saying, "That is a wake up call if ever we've seen one. It is a serious challenge for us. It's a serious challenge for UK Labour and I think it means that we all need to think very seriously about delivery on the things that matter to the people of Wales." Dr Larner of Cardiff University's Welsh Governance Centre described recent polling as a "substantial shift" from what has been seen previously. He noted that while polls are only snapshots, they do indicate a trend across the UK. Commenter Felix core says: 'We do not need an English nationalist party, Reform, in charge of the WELSH Senedd.' Busa1 thinks: 'The Welsh Labour Party has virtually destroyed Wales during the years since being put in power, all they seem to care about is getting rid of all industry, planting trees and wasting our money on the huge white elephant of Cardiff airport.' ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Dm68 agrees: 'Labour 'have to deliver on the things that matter to the people of Wales'. Trouble is, it is blindingly obvious to everyone that they haven't got a clue what the people of Wales want!' EUandMe thinks: 'I'll vote for any party that allows me to choose a candidate rather than a party. And if the party also promises to abolish the extra waste in the Senedd then that would be a bonus.' Deankb states: 'I fully expect Labour to have a terrible election in Wales. For far too long, they've taken the electorate for granted. Their decision to cease all road building comes from a party that obviously doesn't commute to work very often. Having said that, I would never, ever vote for Farage. Brexit has been a disaster for the UK, despite Nige telling us we'll be free of the EU & will be drowning in all the extra cash coming our way. He has no plan for the NHS, or education, or anything.' Dm68 pleads: 'For goodness sake don't vote for Plaid. They are Labour in disguise and have shored them up on numerous occasions including the disastrous 20mph.' ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Jeff2509 replies: '20mph is working to save lives and money. How is that disastrous?' Alex Peters asks: 'If Labour cared about saving lives, why did they take the Winter Fuel Allowance off pensioners?' Gar880 retorts: 'They made it means tested rather than universal. Is there a conversation to be had about the threshold to qualify? I believe so. Also that wasn't Welsh Labour that brought in that specific policy. You don't even know what you're raging against.' 1anj thinks: 'Change is great news. Just what the country needs.' Ironside states: 'I'll be staying home come the next WAE. None of them are worth voting for. None of them will do anything to improve Wales. They will all say they'll do this and that just to get your vote but will never deliver. I've been around long enough to realise what they say and what they are two different things.' ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Ethel the Frog writes: 'We need a serious look at independence.' PJ372 disagrees: 'Independence would absolutely ruin us, we have no currency of our own, no industry, no army or defence, the list goes on.' Diane1711 points out: 'Don't forget, we had over a decade of Tory ruling and all the money has gone to those who didn't need any more in the first place! They made a mess of all of it, including the NHS and, unfortunately, it's going to take Labour a long time to put things right.' How do you think Wales will vote at the next elections? What do you see as the future for Wales? Have your say in our comments section.
