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Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BBC Breakfast viewers 'switch off' as they fume over 'waste of time' Nicola Sturgeon interview - and have a burning question for show bosses
BBC Breakfast viewers said they 'switched off' during an unbearably long interview with Nicola Sturgeon - and put one burning question to show bosses. In Tuesday's installment of the morning news programme, hosts Jon Kay and Sarah Campbell spoke to the former Scottish First Minister ahead of the publication of her new memoir. Sturgeon, 55, told how the upcoming book, titled Frankly, delves into the details of her 2023 arrest as part of an investigation into the SNP 's finances. It also explores her experience of suffering a miscarriage, her past handling of legislation and her sexuality - which she does not consider 'to be binary'. 'I've become used to my life, over the years, being talked about in great detail,' she said. 'I don't complain about that, I put myself into the public eye. But I wanted at this stage of my life to tell my story in my words. '[Of] the remarkable experiences I've had in politics and the ups and downs of a life in politics. 'So, inevitably, some of the challenges and the low points of being covered, because I've tried to speak really candidly about them. 'But the book's also really, really full of all the really positive, extraordinary experiences I've had over 30 years of the most remarkable period in modern Scottish and, to some extent, UK political history. 'So, it's been a lot of fun reminiscing about all of that, writing all of that, and remembering it all.' But viewers were not impressed with the sheer length of the interview - with Sturgeon's segment consuming a whopping 20-minute slot. Fans flocked to social media to criticise what many perceived as a 'commercial'. One wrote: 'Fifteen minutes of Nicola Sturgeon, and counting, equals a very slow news day.' Another said simply: 'Seriously, that's enough now,' while a third chimed in: 'A huge BBC breakfast plug for Nicola Sturgeon's new book. A full 10-minute commercial for her, and to plug her book tour.' And several viewers questioned whether there was enough news to pad out the 3.5 hour show. One wrote: 'Just turned BBC Breakfast off. Why are they giving more airtime to Sturgeon?' And another added: 'This interview with Sturgeon is a waste of time. Apart from the break for the local news, we've had 30 mins of in-studio interviews... No news?' Elsewhere in her memoir, Sturgeon claims the late Queen asked for 'gossip' about the Alex Salmond sex claims. The Monarch immediately asked for details when the women met at Balmoral Castle a few weeks after misconduct claims against Salmond first emerged in 2018. Claiming the Queen 'loved a bit of gossip', Sturgeon wrote in her autobiography Frankly: 'She asked me about it almost as soon as I sat down. She wanted to know more of what was going on.' Describing herself as a republican 'at heart and by instinct', Sturgeon lavishes praise on the late Queen as 'utterly fascinating' and 'an incredible woman'. She says she was 'struck by the aura' she 'exuded as she entered the room', and said she had 'a mystique' around her that no other member of the Royal Family has. Sturgeon's 470-page book is officially released on Thursday, when she is due to talk about it at the Edinburgh Book Festival. But copies went on sale in branches of Waterstones across Scotland on Sunday, with the company insisting no sales embargo was in place. Writing about a visit she and her husband Peter Murrell made to Balmoral in September 2018, Sturgeon said she enjoyed her audiences with the Queen at the Highland estate.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BBC Breakfast guest slammed for 'harsh and disrespectful' swipe at late Blue Peter star Biddy Baxter - with shocked fans gasping 'he clearly wasn't a fan!'
A BBC Breakfast guest has been slammed by viewers for his 'harsh and disrespectful' jab at Blue Peter 's Biddy Baxter - who died on Monday at the age of 92. Former presenter Peter Purves was invited onto the daytime news show to pay tribute to the late editor of the children's television programme. Having worked under Biddy for 11 years, Lancashire-born Peter offered a comment on Biddy's character and career. But angry viewers were shocked at his 'harsh' critique and were quick to question what they deemed a 'disrespectful' interview. Peter acknowledged Biddy's fierce professional prowess, and told hosts Sarah Campbell and Jon Kay: 'Oh, she was an absolute powerhouse. 'The programme would not still exist if it had not been for her, she was very controlling and she controlled the show wonderfully.' Former presenter Peter Purves (L) has been slammed by viewers for his 'harsh and disrespectful' jab at Blue Peter's Biddy Baxter (R) - who died on Monday at the age of 92 Former presenter Peter was invited onto the daytime news show to pay tribute to the late editor of the children's television programme (Biddy pictured in 1997) Peter, 86, recalled how Biddy had been offered the position of the BBC's head of children's programmes in the 70s, but she turned down the promotion in favour of continuing her 'hands-on' Blue Peter role. But Peter repeatedly highlighted Biddy's 'controlling' nature, saying: 'I mean, she controlled everything about the programme and with quite a rigid hand - we didn't always get on because of that.' The former Doctor Who actor successfully painted a picture of Biddy as a determined high-achiever, who led Blue Peter to the great fame it enjoyed. 'She knew exactly what she wanted the programme to be and it was a success absolutely because of her,' he said. 'She was a remarkable woman, she was very fixed in her views, always consistent, she wasn't inconsistent in any way.' But Peter added: '[She was] sometimes quite difficult to work with because of the way she wanted to do it, but she was very innovative, the programme would not have had the spread that it did have without her influence.' He continued: 'She didn't let us,' before catching the blunt phrase and laughing at himself, rephrasing: 'She didn't let us - autocue was not available to us. 'We got a script the day before the programme and we did it live, having learnt it, and we had to learn it.' Peter praised the 'highly produced' work of Biddy, but told how she would sometimes 'muck it about' by changing things last-minute before the live broadcast. Peter said: 'Literally sometimes seconds before you were on air, she was changing things on the programme that we'd rehearsed during the day. 'In the worst cases she would come down about ten minutes before the programme and alter the running order completely, and that affects everybody.' 'It could be very, very testing,' he admitted, before adding: 'But it was very gratifying and she was a very, very clever lady.' Biddy did not have children of her own, said Peter, but this didn't stop her from 'understanding the audience better than we did.' Peter looked back on his work days, saying: 'I remember her saying very clearly to me, when I'd been on the programme for about a year, that I was still being too "schoolmasterly" and she didn't want that.' He concluded: 'She knew what she wanted and what she wanted, she got.' But Peter's candid tribute did not sit well with fans, who flocked to social media to swap notes on the unusual segment. Peter's candid tribute did not sit well with fans, who flocked to social media to swap notes on the unusual segment 'Peter Purves bashing Biddy Baxter was obviously not the best person to speak on her death announcement,' one person wrote online. 'It was just a dig followed by a compliment followed by another dig. So disrespectful.' Another echoed the sentiment, writing: 'It's well known Peter Purvis was not a fan of Biddy Baxter. 'He has just been on BBC Breakfast and, yes, he said a few good things but basically laid into her. Bit harsh surely?' Other watchers saw the comedic element, with one writing: 'I'm here for Peter Purves not letting sh** go.' And one person defended Peter and his fellow Blue Peter colleagues from Biddy's era, writing: '[Biddy Baxter was] hugely talented, she created children's magazine form especially in the best John Noakes/Peter Purves era. 'BUT she was also, by all accounts, a bullying tyrant to them.' And on summed it up simply: 'Peter Purves wasn't a fan then.'
RNZ News
6 days ago
- RNZ News
19-year-old cyclist Fyfa Dawson's death largely due to flawed traffic management
Fyfa Dawson died when she was struck by a concrete truck. Photo: SUPPLIED The grieving mother of a Canterbury student fatally struck by a truck when cycling through a roadworks site says negligent traffic management cut her daughter's life short. Fyfa Dawson, 19, was travelling to her hairdressing course in Christchurch on the morning of 30 October 2019. When travelling through a 30 km/h traffic management site on Springs Road, near Prebbleton, she was hit and killed by a left-turning concrete truck. Coroner Ruth Thomas' 22-page report, released on Thursday, has called for changes to traffic management planning and improved safety standards for heavy vehicles. In her findings, the coroner found errors in the "vehicle-centric" design and implementation of the temporary traffic management plan largely caused the crash. Dawson was an experienced cyclist, who regularly travelled on Springs Road. In 2017 she spent three months in the United States, biking solo through the Rocky Mountains. She returned to the US the following year, cycling about 8000 kilometres from the Rockies, across to the Pacific Northwest and down the country's west coast. Speaking to RNZ, her mother Sarah Campbell said her daughter was an "adventurous spirit". "It's very ironic that she did all of that in America and then came home and was killed less than three kilometres from her home," she said. "I'm grateful she had the adventure, she fit a lot of life into 19 years." Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Traffic management on Springs Road at the time was part of construction of the Christchurch Southern Motorway. The coroner's report said there was no gate controller in place, safely managing pedestrians and cyclists through one of the work site's access points. "I find that if a gate controller had been stationed at [the gate] on 30 October this would have reduced the risk of Ms Dawson's death." Campbell said this proved to be a critical mistake. "Clearly if there had been a stop/go person at that site she wouldn't have died. They dropped the ball," she said. "They didn't make a safe entrance-exit site. I guess I'm aware that we're human and there's always going to be mistakes made." The tragedy had left the family with an indescribable grief, Campbell said. "My daughter lost her life. She was 19, so there's 60 years of life that she doesn't get to experience. End of her story. "Her siblings lost a sister, her parents have lost a daughter, a lot of people have lost a friend. Because of negligence." Previously a stop/go gate controller had stopped cyclists or pedestrians from crossing when vehicles were entering or exiting the worksite. The report said the constuction companies removed the gate controller due to a drop in the volume of vehicles accessing the worksite. Dawson biked along a pedestrian path that morning, but the location of this path meant she was beyond the truck driver's visibility. A designated cycle-way was also blocked by road cones. Cyclists were expected to merge with live traffic at this point but there were no signs informing them of this, the report said. WorkSafe laid health and safety charges against contractors Downer and McConell Dowell. These were later withdrawn after an agreement , known as an enforceable undertaking, was reached out of court. This included a reparation payment to Dawson's family and a commitment by contractors to mitigate traffic management risks. Dawson was not wearing hi-viz and had earpods in at the time of the crash. The coroner found no evidence to suggest clothing would have changed the outcome, nor evidence that Dawson was listening to anything at the time. Police also did not charge the truck driver as he could not see Dawson at the time. Coroner Thomas offered four recommendations in her report. These includes traffic management companies using gate controllers where appropriate, making use of advanced technologies like sensors to warn motorists of cyclists and changes to heavy vehicles specifications. She also suggested that the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) provide truck drivers with extra mirrors to give them a wide-angle view. A memorial plaque for Fyfa Dawson close to the accident site in Christchurch. Photo: Construction companies Downer and McConnell Dowell issued a joint statement in response to the coroner's findings. They said they had worked with other industry partners to improve safety for vulnerable road users around roadworks. "Through the enforceable undertakings both Downer and McConnell Dowell have completed other initiatives, we have aimed to go beyond compliance and support lasting improvements across the industry. "This work was considered and acknowledged by Coroner Thomas as part of her findings and formed the basis of two of her recommendations." The firms said they hoped the government and industry would take up the coroner's recommendations. "We remain committed to learning from this tragic event and to continuing the implementation of measures that enhance safety through risk-based approaches and by supporting the use of emerging safety technologies and standards to deliver safer outcomes for all road users." In a statement, NZTA said it had accepted three of the coroner's four recommendations. "We support further consideration of the fourth recommendation relating to heavy vehicle standards and will work with the Ministry of Transport on next steps," a spokesperson said. The agency said it had begun introducing changes to improve safety with "a risk-based approach" to temporary traffic management around the country. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Sled dog race howling good time
The howls of eager dogs echoed throughout the frosty Alexandra morning as dogs and humans teamed up to take on the McArthur Ridge Mush Up Sled Dog Race on Saturday. Organiser Sarah Campbell, of Main Ridge Sled Dog Club in Dunedin, said there were about 80 entries for both Saturday and yesterday's events spread throughout various classes, an improvement on last year. "There's a rig class, two lots of scooters, a bikjor [biking with your dog], canicross, plus we have a veterans class for old dogs, novice for new people and juniors for kids." Taking part for the first time was Debbie Elliman, of Lawrence, and her Siberian husky, Echo. The duo were nervous to race the bikjor category but looked forward to giving it a go. Also taking part in the bikjor and with a dog named Echo was Christina Rock, of Edendale, who has been racing for three years. The Echo in this duo was a greyhound, an unusual sight at such an event. Greyhounds were not endurance dogs and one of the challenges in racing in events like this was heat, Ms Rock said. "I do have to watch them very carefully because they do build up a lot of heat real quick." To avoid overheating, the duo would sprint then cool off in intervals. In his eye-catching helmet Daryn Chalmers, of Invercargill, took part in multiple events on the Saturday. "I've been racing for ... 16, 17 years now and I found it [the helmet] at a market in Christchurch and I was like, this is brilliant. I have to have this." In the one-dog scooter race, his dog Henderson James was vocal in his excitement to start the race. The race went really well for the duo, with the trail and the beautiful Central Otago scenery adding to the experience, he said.
CTV News
28-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Londoners urged to check on vulnerable as temperatures soar under the sizzling sun
Local Ark Aid Mission sets up system to help provide critical relief from the heat. CTV London's Reta Ismail has the story. With a heat warning in effect and temperatures soaring, local health officials and outreach organizations are urging Londoners to take precautions and help protect the most vulnerable members of the community. Environment Canada issued a heat warning for the region, forecasting daytime highs between 30 and 33 degrees with humidex values reaching as high as 42. Overnight lows are expected to stay above 19, offering little relief. The heat wave is expected to persist through Tuesday night. In downtown London, the Ark Aid Mission has added a shaded patio and makeshift misting station to help people experiencing homelessness cool off. Steven, who is currently unhoused, says it makes a big difference. 'It keeps you cool, and they give shade,' he said. 'There's no other shade in the city except for trees. And, without it, I don't think a lot of people would survive, to tell you the truth.' Sarah Campbell, executive director of Ark Aid Mission says they are doing what they can to help during the heat warning. She added that the Ark Aid is funded for just four hours of daily service but is operating 8 hours Monday through Friday, and 12 hours on Saturday and Sunday. 'Much like our winter planning, we look to find ways to get people indoors, give them an opportunity to rest, make sure that they have proper nourishment,' she said. 'We are working with our partners to make sure there's an everyday location for lunch and dinner and breakfast. We really try to just take those basic needs one by one, having a shower, access to running water, a bathroom.' The Middlesex-London Health Unit is reminding residents that extreme heat can be dangerous and even deadly especially for the elderly, infants and people without adequate housing. 'It can start with symptoms such as sweating, just some general fatigue and cramps and stuff like that,' said Dave Pavletic, manager of environmental health at the health unit. 'And then it could lead to some more significant symptoms, which can be heatstroke which is a medical emergency.' Pavletic encourages residents to take it easy, avoid strenuous outdoor activity and check in on others who may be at risk. 'You want to make sure that you check on family and friends, particularly folks that are elderly and may not have air conditioning, because the indoor heat can be a significant concern too,' he said. Environment Canada says relief is on the way, with slightly lower temperatures expected by Wednesday.
