Latest news with #Leicester-born
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
TV magician Wayne Dobson dies, aged 68
Former TV magician Wayne Dobson has died at the age of 68. The Leicester-born entertainer became a well-known face through appearances on British television variety shows in the late 1980s before landing his own ITV series, which ran from 1991 to 1993. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 31 but continued to perform live until 2003. A representative said he died on Monday following "several months of debilitating illness". Dobson's wisecracking style of magic saw him rise to prominence through the 1980s. He was hired as a support act for Engelbert Humperdinck's Las Vegas residency in 1988, before receiving his multiple sclerosis diagnosis a short time later. Despite this setback, a well-received appearance at the The Royal Variety Performance in 1989 saw him given a regular spot on Joe Longthorne's TV show before ITV commissioned his series Wayne Dobson - A Kind of Magic. Featuring Linda Lusardi as his regular assistant, the show ran until 1993. While his multiple sclerosis symptoms continued to worsen in the years that followed, Dobson continued to tour. At one point he became part of Joe Pasquale's live show. When he became unable to perform live any longer, he started a business selling his routines, illusions and creations to magicians around the world. He continued to make regular appearances at conventions until two years ago. In the 2010s he became a supporter of the MS Society. In a statement, the charity said: "Diagnosed with MS in 1988, Wayne was a passionate supporter of MS research and used his magic to inspire others. "He once said he wished he could make MS disappear. We won't stop until that's a reality." Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. MS Society
Scottish Sun
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Katie Boulter OUT of Wimbledon as she's stunned by world No101 who originally FAILED to qualify for tournament
Solana Sierra required a last minute reprieve to even enter the main draw BOULT FROM THE BLUE Katie Boulter OUT of Wimbledon as she's stunned by world No101 who originally FAILED to qualify for tournament Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KATIE BOULTER crashed out to lucky loser Solana Sierra - and could not even blame misfortune on it. The British No2 had a shocker for the majority of her 1hr53mins out on a half-empty Court No1, save for an impressive first-set fightback. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Katie Boulter was out of sorts against her lucky loser opponent Credit: Getty 3 Solana Sierra produced a brilliant performance on No1 Court Credit: PA That revival had seen Boulter go from 5-2 down to win 7-6, thanks to a tie-break. And from then the supporters who had turned up were half-expecting a comfortable victory for the Leicester-born London resident. But it did not turn out that way as an inspired Sierra capitalised on Boulter's catalogue of errors to come through 6-7 6-2 6-1. The Argentine, 21, had lost in qualifying and was only in the SW19 main draw after being selected to replace an injured player. READ MORE WIMBLEDON Wimbledon 2025 Raducanu vs Vondrousova on NOW, Boulter crashes OUT, Fritz also in action She certainly made the most of it and was much the better, more consistent, of the two players, setting up a third-round tie with Spaniard Cristina Bucsa. As for Boulter, she will look back ruefully on a complacent display which saw her lay down 14 double faults and 36 unforced errors. It was chalk and cheese compared to her impressive victory in the first round over No9 seed Paula Badosa, which had shown what she is capable of on her day. But the world No43 was nowhere near at that level against a much-lower ranked opponent in this second round, and paid for it dearly. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Sierra revealed after her victory that she has had to move the house in which she is staying during the championships several times already because she did not expect to be here this long. And now she and her mother, who is staying with her, will have to switch residences again given she is into round three. Inside Wimbledon star's home for tournament with gym and wine cellar as she reveals bizarre way she unwinds The Argentine explained: 'I lost in the third round of qualies so we already changed three times the apartment and now we are going to change again! 'But we said it's a good problem. 'It feels amazing. I knew it was a really tough match, Katie is an amazing player, so I just tried to focus on myself and enjoy this moment. It's a dream to play here." 3 Wimbledon 2025 LIVE - follow all the latest scores and updates from a thrilling fortnight at SW19
The Irish Sun
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Katie Boulter OUT of Wimbledon as she's stunned by world No101 who originally FAILED to qualify for tournament
KATIE BOULTER crashed out to lucky loser Solana Sierra - and could not even blame misfortune on it. The British No2 had a shocker for the majority of her 1hr53mins out on a half-empty Court No1, save for an impressive first-set fightback. 3 Katie Boulter was out of sorts against her lucky loser opponent Credit: Getty 3 Solana Sierra produced a brilliant performance on No1 Court Credit: PA That revival had seen And from then the supporters who had turned up were half-expecting a comfortable victory for the Leicester-born London resident. But it did not turn out that way as an inspired Sierra capitalised on Boulter's catalogue of errors to come through 6-7 6-2 6-1. The Argentine, 21, had lost in qualifying and was only in the SW19 main draw after being selected to replace an injured player. READ MORE WIMBLEDON She certainly made the most of it and was much the better, more consistent, of the two players, setting up a third-round tie with Spaniard Cristina Bucsa. As for Boulter, she will look back ruefully on a complacent display which saw her lay down 14 double faults and 36 unforced errors. It was chalk and cheese compared to her But the world No43 was nowhere near at that level against a much-lower ranked opponent in this second round, and paid for it dearly. Most read in Tennis BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Sierra revealed after her victory that she has had to move the house in which she is staying during the championships several times already because she did not expect to be here this long. And now she and her mother, who is staying with her, will have to switch residences again given she is into round three. Inside Wimbledon star's home for tournament with gym and wine cellar as she reveals bizarre way she unwinds The Argentine explained: 'I lost in the third round of qualies so we already changed three times the apartment and now we are going to change again! 'But we said it's a good problem. 'It feels amazing. I knew it was a really tough match, Katie is an amazing player, so I just tried to focus on myself and enjoy this moment. It's a dream to play here." 3 Wimbledon 2025 LIVE -
Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Katie Boulter must now banish Wimbledon demons after collapse against 'nemesis'
Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart are preparing to return to the scene of their emotional clash last summer, where the then-British No.1 had things all in hand before one of the most remarkable finishes to a match SW19 has ever seen They contested one of the most dramatic clashes at Wimbledon last summer. Now one year on, Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart are preparing to return to the scene of their emotional battle of the Brits thriller on hallowed home SW19 turf. Last year, the duo slugged it out in a heart-thumping second-round duel as Dart, ranked more than 70 places below British No.1 Boulter at the time, miraculously turned the tables to edge out her nemesis in a tense 10-8 tie-break. Dart, 28, trailed 6-2 in that deciding format and after visibly breaking down in tears, launched an improbable late fightback to reel off eight of the next 10 points and somehow seal a 4-6 6-1 7-6 (8) victory. 'I wear my emotions on my sleeve,' said Dart after the nerve-jangling encounter, which propelled her into the third round of a Grand Slam for just the second time in her career. 'You see everything how I'm thinking unfortunately – I was so happy to be able to get through.' For Boulter, it was an inexplicable collapse that the Leicester-born player hopes can intensify her hunger for success this year. 'These are the kind of losses that sting a little bit, they do,' she said. 'I'm going to come back stronger and hopefully be winning a lot more matches here next year.' Emma Raducanu, who blazed a trail by memorably grabbing Grand Slam glory at the US Open four years ago, may be the most recognisable British name in this year's women's draw but it's Boulter and Dart – separated in age by the space of just four days – who arrive as the two most experienced homegrown campaigners. While Boulter is ranked marginally lower than she was heading into Wimbledon this time last year – the current world No.38 – she has enjoyed a breakthrough year on the circuit that culminated in a maiden clay court title in Paris last month. After that crushing defeat to Dart to dash her hopes of emulating her third-round exploits in the previous two years, Boulter embarked on a resurgent run that catapulted her into the world's top 25 for the first time in her career. She lost in the second rounds at both the US and Australian Opens but as the clay-court season got underway, clinched her first WTA 125 title at the Trophée Clarins in the French capital. Boulter battled past home favourite Chloe Paquet in the final, coming from behind to grind out a 3-6 6-2 6-3 victory and gear up for the French Open in the best possible fashion. It proved to be a familiar Grand Slam story for the Brit on the famous red Roland Garros clay as she was outgunned in the second round again by seventh seed Madison Keys – but she will arrive back in London buoyed by a promising few months knowing the nation is behind her as she kicks off her grass court campaign. And with Boulter engaged to Aussie ace and current world No.7 Alex de Minaur, 26, it's fair to say she will have no shortage of support in south-west London. For Dart, it's been a more frustrating year on the circuit that ended with a failure to qualify for the French Open. She was downed in the second round at Flushing Meadows before suffering the same fate in Melbourne after being awarded a place in the main draw as a lucky loser. She may have failed to make the cut across the Channel last month – but will be relishing a return to her favourite speedy grass surface and the only major tournament she has ever reached the third round in. And what about the other British women? Step forward Sonay Kartal, the 23-year-old prodigy from Brighton who has enjoyed a remarkable rise up the rankings since reaching the third round at SW19 last summer. Kartal, the world No.295 at the time, qualified for the main draw for the first time and memorably navigated her way to the last 32 after stunning wins against 29th seed Sorana Cirstea and Clara Burel, ranked exactly 250 places above her. That made her just the second British woman in the Open era to reach the third round at SW19 as a qualifier, following in the footsteps of Karen Cross 27 years earlier and marking her out as one of the brightest prospects on the women's tennis circuit. Kartal was eventually knocked out by second seed and this year's French Open winner Coco Gauff – but that defeat did little to thwart her progress over the last few months. She reached the second round at Roland Garros and alongside Raducanu and Boulter, is expected to arrive at Wimbledon as one of the world's top 50 players. That would make it the first time since 1986 a hat-trick of homegrown heroes have achieved that feat and Kartal, whose long-term idols are Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters, is hellbent on trying to stay there. "That was my end-of-year goal," said Kartal, speaking after her straight sets French Open defeat against Czech world No.47 Marie Bouzkova. "It's something I'm proud of. I'll look to try and stay there, now. That would be the new goal." Elsewhere, Jodie Burrage will be hoping to finally banish her injury demons after another turbulent 12 months. The former world No.85, 26, has plummeted down the rankings after being forced to miss Wimbledon last season with a wrist injury. The current British No.7, Burrage reached the second round of the Australian Open after gaining a place as a lucky loser before going down against American Danielle Collins in the first round at the French. Burrage is the girlfriend of Scotland rugby star Ben White, who narrowly missed out on selection for this summer's British & Irish Lions tour to Australia. She admits that 'horrible day' hampered even her own preparation for the French Open but will be hoping to bounce back stronger at her home Grand Slam, where she recorded her maiden major win against Caty McNally two years ago. On the men's side, while Jack Draper will function as the unequivocal British face of the Championships, both Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley will be hoping for a run of their own. Seasoned campaigner Norrie, 29, has endured a difficult couple of years and before the French Open, had progressed past the third round of a Grand Slam on just a solitary occasion since reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals back in 2022. But he showed signs of his old best in Paris by lowering the colours of Daniil Medvedev, the world No.11 and 2021 US Open champion, in a battle of the baseliners to reach the last 16 and send him towards SW19 with a renewed streak of confidence. Fearnley, 23, burst onto the scene at Wimbledon last summer as a first major win against Alejandro Moro Canas teed up a tantalising date with Novak Djokovic. The Scot, who made the transatlantic hop to America to develop his young career, even took a set off the great 24-time Grand Slam champion on Centre Court but was unable to complete what would have been one of the most remarkable SW19 triumphs. Fearnley, the current British No.2 ahead of Norrie, has enjoyed a successful year after reaching the third rounds at both the Australian and French Open and will head to the capital hoping to go even further after last summer's debut exploits.
Scottish Sun
03-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Iconic BBC presenter leaves job at Premier League after nine years and posts emotional message
FAN favourite football presenter Manish Bhasin has announced he is leaving his job at the Premier League after nine years. Bhasin, 49, has been on fans' screens for over two decades and is known by many as the face of the BBC's defunct Football League Show. 3 Manish Bhasin has announced his next career move Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 Bhasin, pictured with Premier League CEO Richard Masters, has been working at Premier League productions for nine years Credit: Getty But for the last nine years he has fronted up matchday coverage of Premier League action for Premier League Productions - the league's official broadcast outlet. Bhasin was the host of their official global match coverage, popping up on televisions across the globe as he chatted about the Prem's biggest fixtures. But the Leicester-born presenter and journalist has now revealed he is ready for a new chapter in an emotional statement announcing his exit. He wrote on X: "After 9 years of hosting for the Premier League official global match coverage, sadly the time has come to move on. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL BRAVE NEW WORLD Gary Lineker agrees deal with new broadcaster just a week after MOTD exit "I've loved every second. A big thanks to the production team and the on-screen pundits who made the job so enjoyable. "Time now to write the next chapter…" Bhasin is one of many familiar faces that are leaving their roles this summer as the landscape of football coverage is set for a shakeup ahead of the new season. Sky Sports announced last week that seven of their stars are leaving the the company as part of a major redundancy programme. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Included in that mass change is the likes of Melissa Reddy, Jeremy Langdon and the experienced Rob Wotton. Meanwhile Gary Lineker presented his final Match of the Day after 26 years in the hot-seat after revealing his exit from the BBC last month. Gary Lineker tears up as he bids emotional farewell to iconic Match of the Day after controversial BBC axe However, Lineker won't be stepping away from football highlights completely. It was announced today that his podcast The Rest Is Football, which he co-hosts alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, will be showing highlights of the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup.
