Adam Peaty changes name after wedding to Holly Ramsay amid family rift

Swimming champion Adam Peaty has changed his name on Instagram following his wedding to Gordon Ramsay’s daughter, Holly.

The celebrity chef was among the stars who attended the ceremony held on Saturday at Bath Abbey on Saturday, and reportedly gave a speech that alluded to the fall-out with Peaty’s parents, who did not attend.

After the wedding, Peaty changed his name on his Instagram profile so it now reads: “Adam Ramsay Peaty.”

The Sun reports that Ramsay, 59, told Peaty he was a “lucky man” as he gushed about how beautiful Holly looked, referring to his own wife, Tana and remarking: “That’s what you have to look forward to.”

Peaty reportedly made a subtle reference to the situation with his family in his own speech at the wedding, by thanking the 200 guests in attendance for their support in a “difficult time”.

The row with Peaty’s family is rumoured to have erupted after his mother, Caroline, was not invited to Holly’s hen do at Soho Farmhouse in Great Tew, Chipping Norton.

Holly shared a number of photos from the celebrations, which were attended by her mum, sisters and a number of close friends.

An Instagram user purporting to be Adam Peaty’s aunt, Louise, commented on Holly’s post: “I’m so glad that you are having a great hen do as a bride you deserve that. However as a person you were divisive and hurtful towards a woman who I have loved and continue to love deeply. A woman who opened her home and heart to you.

“You decided, for whatever reason, not to invite her, your prospective mother in law to your hen night yet Adam invited his father in law, your dad, to his stag night.

“You invited your mum (quite rightly) and even your mum’s assistant, your sisters, your friends, my niece, but not my sister, your future mother in law. I have also seen messages passing between her and Adam (without my sister’s knowledge or consent) about this and other matters and quite frankly I expected better of you and definitely of Adam. You have inflicted a hurt on my sister that will take a very long time to heal if ever.”

Ahead of the wedding ceremony, Caroline also gave an interview to the Daily Mail, for which she was not paid, commenting: “I don’t think they understand how much they have hurt me; it’s as if they have cut my heart out.

“This is the first Christmas that I’ve not had my family together – my family is broken.”

She added: “They are still both loved, there is nothing I won’t forgive, and I want them to have the best day.”

Peaty, 31, is believed to have met Holly through his sister, Tilly, when they both took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2021.

Holly, 25, announced their engagement on 12 September 2024 in an Instagram post that said: “I am marrying my best friend. I truly cannot put into words how I am feeling right now.”

In a separate post, Peaty said: “I can’t believe you’re going to be my wife. I’m truly the luckiest man on earth to have such a gentle, caring and beautiful woman by my side.”

Peaty, a six-time Olympic gold medallist from Staffordshire, was previously in a relationship with artist Eirianedd Munro, with whom he shares a five-year-old.

His sister Beth, 32, was apparently the only family member who attended the service, as maid of honour with Holly’s sisters, Megan and Tilly, as bridesmaids.

Among the celebrity guests at the ceremony were former footballer Sir David Beckham and his wife, former Spice Girls star and fashion designer Victoria, and their youngest children Romeo, Cruz and Harper.

Channel 5 newsreader Dan Walker posted to social media that it was a “great wedding” filled with “top people”.

Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies, who competed alongside Peaty on the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing, also wished the couple a “lifetime of happiness together” following their “beautiful” wedding.

She also had plenty of praise reserved for the feast laid on for guests at the ceremony, which she noted was not surprising given Gordon Ramsay’s long career as one of the UK’s top chefs.

“Yesterday I had the privilege of being at this amazing man’s wedding – and it also gave me a moment to reflect on how lucky I’ve been to have him in my life over the past four years,” she said.

“From the first day we met on Strictly, we’ve been firm friends, and it was a real honour to sit in Bath Abbey and watch him get emotional as the love of his life walked down the aisle.

“It was such a special day. Simon (her husband) and I had the best time, the service was beautiful – and I’m sure you’ll not be surprised to hear me say, it was hands down the best wedding food I’ve ever had.

“Wishing my wonderful friend and his gorgeous bride a lifetime of happiness together.”

The Independent has contacted Ramsay and Peaty’s representatives for comment.

Additional reporting by Press Association

Netanyahu to meet Trump for crucial talks on future of Gaza ceasefire

Donald Trump will welcome Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday for a series of crucial talks over the future of the Gaza ceasefire and broader security issues in the Middle East.

The US president will host the Israeli leader at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida to iron out the next phase of Washington’s peace deal for Gaza, following a fragile ceasefire agreement struck last October with Hamas.

Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu are expected to discuss how to implement the most complex aspects of the 20-point US plan, which lays out an ambitious vision for ending Hamas’ rule of Gaza after two devastating years of war.

If successful, it would see the rebuilding of a demilitarised Gaza under international supervision by a “Board of Peace” chaired by Mr Trump. An interim technocratic Palestinian government would be established to run day-to-day affairs, with thousands of foreign troops deployed as part of an international stabilisation force (ISF).

The first phase of the plan, which involved the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the strip and the release of all of the living and dead hostages captured by Hamas in the October 7 attacks, has largely been completed, with the remains of just one hostage due to be handed back to Israel.

But there is growing frustration on both sides over the lack of progress on advancing the second phase of the plan, while huge challenges remain over key issues such as the disarmament of Hamas and the composition of the ISF.

Mr Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, recently huddled in Florida with officials from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, which have been mediating the ceasefire.

An official close to the talks told the Associated Press that two key issues remain before the second phase of the plan can proceed. Israeli officials have been taking a lot of time to vet and approve members of the Palestinian technocratic committee from a list given to them by the mediators, and the IDF is continuing its military strikes, they said.

More than 400 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire came into effect on 3 October despite Mr Trump’s promise to end violence in the strip, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Both Hamas and Israel frequently accuse one another of violations of the agreement.

Last week, senior officials in the Trump administration told Axios that Netanyahu had “taken steps to undermine the fragile ceasefire and stall the peace process”.

Israel’s war in Gaza has led to the death of more than 70,000 Palestinians and the displacement of almost all of the territory’s 2.3 million population. It was triggered by Hamas’ attack on 7 October 2023, when militants stormed across the border and killed 1,200 people and abducted 250 others.

Israeli bombardment and ground operations have transformed neighbourhoods in several Gazan cities into rubble-strewn wastelands, with many Palestinians continuing to live in acute hardship in the region despite the peace agreement.

Broader regional concerns will also be high on the agenda in Mar-a-Lago, with growing fears in Washington that Israel could launch new offensives against its enemies in the Middle East in the coming months.

Mr Netanyahu is likely to push for more strikes on Iran following Israel’s 12-day war in June, which saw the US join a bombing campaign to destroy Tehran’s nuclear programme. On Saturday, Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country was in a “full-scale war” with the US, Europe and Israel, in an indication that tensions remain high.

Lebanon will also be discussed. Israel’s Channel 13 reports that the Israeli PM will also present Mr Trump with intelligence to expand operations against militant group Hezbollah, breaking a ceasefire agreed more than a year ago.

Murder charge after grandfather’s death in Christmas pub assault

A man has been charged with murder after a grandfather died following an assault outside a pub in Leicestershire.

David Darke, 66, sustained a serious head injury after an assault outside the Crown Inn in Appleby Magna on the evening of Sunday 21 December. Leicestershire Police said the grandfather-of-three died at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham almost a week later, on Saturday.

Nathan Gothard, 36, of Church Street, Appleby Magna, appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Monday accused of Mr Darke’s murder.

He was remanded to appear at the city’s crown court on Wednesday.

In a statement, Mr Darke’s family said: “Dave was a deeply loved father to three daughters and a proud grandfather to three boys.

“He was a much-loved brother and a dear friend. Dave will live on forever in our hearts, minds and souls.

“He was a strong, active, intelligent and kind person who was a friend to all. He was a devoted family man with a deep passion for life, the outdoors, nature and walking.

“His life was tragically cut short, and he’s now reunited with his loving, caring parents. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.”

Two dead in Spain after torrential rain causes floods and evacuations

Two people have died in Spain after torrential rainfall and flooding buffeted swathes of the country over the weekend.

The body of a man whose van was swept away by an overflowing riverbed in Malaga was recovered on Sunday, as a desperate search continued for a missing passenger.

Authorities also confirmed the death of a young person in Granada who was swept away trying to cross a riverbed on a motorbike.

In Barcelona, a woman was hospitalised on Saturday after being hit by a lamp post torn down by 70 km per hour winds.

Dozens of people in the Barcelona province were also forced to evacuate from a building damaged by heavy rainfall in recent days.

Extreme weather warnings were tentatively lifted in Malaga on Monday after storms rocked the southern coast over the weekend.

The man found dead in Alhaurín el Grande on Sunday was some 3km from where they believe he ran into trouble. He has not been named by authorities.

Authorities believe the pair, aged 53 and 54, were trying to cross the Fahala River on foot when they were swept away. The van was found overturned in the river with significant damage, but nobody was inside.

Some 150 people were drawn in to help with the search.

The victim in Granada was identified only as a young person from Zujaira.

He was trying to cross the Cañada stream on a motorbike with a friend when he was swept away, authorities said. The friend made it to safety.

Valencia, which saw more than 220 people killed in floods last year, meanwhile issued red alert warnings and urged people to stay indoors and on high ground over the weekend.

Some areas saw as much as 250l of water per square metre. A yellow weather warning remained in place on Monday.

There were eight provinces on orange alert late on Sunday, with residents warned of serious risks to themselves or property.

In Catalonia, emergency lines had been swamped with nearly 900 phone calls for related incidents by Saturday evening. The poor weather had dissipated by Monday morning.

A group of 16 people staying at a holiday camp in Girona province, to the north, had to be rescued by firefighters, as the Fluvià river swelled and left them stranded.

A dozen people trapped in a house in nearby Sant Feliu de Pallerols were also evacuated as a stream overflowed.

Five flashpoints that could spark World War Three in 2026

There is something ambivalent about the season of goodwill, as it usually triggers a splurge of journalistic predictions of bad things to come for the new year; more trouble and pestilence and worse wars. One point of comfort is that journalists, on the whole, make lousy prophets. So, in the ambiguous spirit of the season, let’s look at the places and occasions that could spark wider confrontation, regional war or a global standoff.

Not that I can foresee a war in Europe, or anywhere else, of the kind gloomily forecast by Mark Rutte, the secretary general of Nato – “on the scale of war our fathers and grandfathers”. Whatever is in the works, it will not be anything like the great wars of the 20th century.

There will be no let-up in the intensity of combat and violence we are now seeing in Ukraine, Sudan, Rwanda and Congo, and Yemen. The standoff between Thailand and Cambodia seems tense as ever, and the ghastly bouts of civil strife and massacre in Myanmar are intensifying as the military junta finagles elections this spring.

A random spark in several of these conflicts could be the trigger for wider confrontation. As Rutte warned, we need to be prepared for war in order to prevent it.

Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia will continue to fight for outright victory in Ukraine, and if Europe wants war, he is ready. He is likely to provoke the European allies of Nato and in the EU at a number of pinch points – especially in the Baltic, the North Atlantic and through the Balkans. This could be the use of false flag incidents around the enclave of Kaliningrad, the wedge between Poland and Lithuania. This means dressing up a border incident as a piece of aggression by a Nato ally, such as those in recent months by covert Russian disruption of border patrols on the frontier with Norway and Estonia.

Nuisance patrols by Russian submarines to test the new Nato concept of the Atlantic Bastion security and early warning system are sure to increase, given the steady improvement of Russian submarine services deployed from the Kola Peninsula. They will be accompanied by more attention in British home waters as well as the Baltic by the ships and subs of the GUGI surveillance and sabotage intelligence service, especially their mothership, the Yantar.

The Kremlin will try to provoke us, while Trump’s America is acting nice to Moscow and quarrels with European allies. It will be tempted to act before European Nato can get its rearmament act together. A falling out between the US and a founding Nato ally, Denmark, over Greenland is an opportunity too good to miss.

The second major area of jeopardy for the United States is the American continent itself, where Trumpland has reclaimed hegemony in its new National Security Strategy, resurrecting the old continental claim by President Monroe back in 1823. It is not only a question of regime change in Venezuela, on which Donald Trump has now set his heart, apparently. Any American incursion in Venezuela risks repeating the mistakes made with the invasion of Iraq in 2003. As the former general and secretary of state Colin Powell remarked, if you break a thing in these actions, you own the problem. There would be an urgent need to reform and run the security forces and the public administration, or face years of civil war, as in Iraq.

Action in Venezuela would accelerate the incipient instability across the region from Ecuador to Colombia and Guyana. Beneath the inflated Trumpian rhetoric, the key element is oil and the US becoming the dominant global oil power. This is sure to upset the big Opec powers and China, a big stakeholder in South America.

A third region, the Middle East, is a tinderbox of risk for further warfare – from Kurdistan in the north to the Arabian peninsula, Sudan and Somalia across sub-Saharan Africa. Gaza is still a flashpoint, as are Yemen and Sudan. In South Yemen and Sudan, the proxies of the two biggest powers of the Gulf, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are in open war. The shaky regime in Iran could pick its moment to attack, directly on Israel or by working through proxies from Syria through to the RSF militia in Darfur and beyond.

“There is no sense of security across Sudan whatsoever,” says Pasquale Ferrara, who has designed Italian policy for the region for years, “but a huge amount of arms.” Fighting on the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo has strategic implications, given the contest for minerals such as rare earths and cadmium, between the agents of China, Russia’s former Wagner group, and powerful organised crime gangs.

In south and southeast Asia, my fourth regional scenario, several standoffs have growth potential for conflict. Pakistan and India eye each other over Kashmir and Afghanistan, and India confronts China across their high mountain border. Cambodia and Thailand are not fully at peace, whatever Trump may claim, though the trouble is unlikely to spread.

The fifth area of major conflict concern has to be China. In 2025, Xi Jinping and his regime have been the global grandmasters of the art of strategic ambiguity, outsmarting Trump and Putin where it counts. Next year, Xi might well calculate that the US president is too distracted by Venezuela, Ukraine, Gaza and his own ego to react in time, if China were to try a decisive move against Taiwan by overt or covert means.

A mistimed and botched bid for Taiwan would provoke a huge reaction in all the major regional players, including India and Japan, Australia and America. In a worst-case scenario, it risks a truly global confrontation.

The risks of war and conflict are not just a matter of geography, the tinderbox of five fragile regions, nor of the old-fashioned means of warfare and diplomacy. There are the less obvious, usually unannounced, means of attack, through cyber, information and influence – the aspect of security and resilience for which the UK, for example, seems so woefully unprepared. Our governments just don’t want to think about it, and least not obviously or transparently so. Think of the bill for the cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover, now believed to be the work of a Russian proxy – a loss of £1.5bn to the company and £5bn for the national economy.

More concerning is what the business school geeks call a “black jellyfish” phenomenon – the terrible monster of the deep we want to ignore till it’s too late and to our ultimate peril. The black jellyfish in warfare may be new forms of biological and chemical weaponry – something more lethal and elusive than the ricin, sarin, polonium and novichok we have seen deployed as terrorist tools in the past half-century. In the hands of the non-state cult member and fanatic, they could be the biggest threat of all.

Five perfect family getaways in Catalonia’s green heart

Looking for a family holiday that combines adventure, nature, and a touch of culture? Catalonia’s green heart is bursting with possibilities, from mountain valleys where flaming torches light up midsummer skies to tranquil wetlands teeming with wildlife. Whether your crew prefers gentle hikes, ancient ruins or ski slopes and riverside trails, this corner of northern Spain offers unforgettable experiences for every age and season. Here are five destinations that prove The Pyrenees of Catalonia might just be Europe’s ultimate family playground.

Located also in Catalan Pyrenees west, near the border with France, Catalonia’s wonderful all-rounder really does have something for the whole family. In terms of culture, it’s a place rich with traditions and history. Kids of all ages will be entranced by the annual summer solstice Fallas festivals, which involve young men carrying flaming torches from high in the mountains down to their villages where they light bonfires and take part in traditional dances late into the night. Even the most heritage-resistant will surely be converted by Vall de Boí’s unmatched collection of astonishingly preserved Romanesque churches, with their evocative towers, atmospheric interiors, and beautiful settings. The area is blessed with trails that will suit the youngest of hikers, like the routes at Salencar de Barruera where you walk along the river following a paved path from a playground to the Salencar wetlands.

Located just west of Andorra near the border with France, the Valls d’Àneu was the first inland part of Catalonia to receive the DTF family tourism certification, and it’s easy to see why. All valleys and peaks, glacial lakes and seemingly endless meadows, it feels like an unspoilt Eden that’s waiting to be explored all year round. In winter, the Espot ski station is a family favourite, with its dedicated beginners area with magic carpets and a drag lift, and its large number of green and blue slopes. Throughout the rest of the year, families flock to one of the region’s great areas of natural splendour: Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, which features more than 200 lakes with breathtaking alpine backdrops, many of them easily accessible on flat family walkways.

A few miles inland from Cadaqués in the Mediterranean, the gorgeous seaside town famous for its postcard-perfect whitewashed architecture, lies one of Catalonia’s big draws for nature-loving families: the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park. A 47km² wetland wonderland, its varied eco-systems are home to an astonishing range of birds and animals from bitterns and marsh harriers to otters and polecats. Parents to budding history buffs are also well-served in the area, which is home to both the Citadel of Roses – a fascinating journey through time that includes Hellenistic ruins, Visigoth-era buildings and Romanesque monasteries – and the archaeological site of Empúries with its reconstructed forum. It also benefits from being one of Catalonia’s culinary hotspots with its highly regarded seafood and excellent wines for deserving mums and dads.

Situated in the west of the Catalan Pyrenees, Pirineus, Noguera Palleresa is a stunning high peak destination that offers a vast range of family-friendly activities. In the snowy season, head to the celebrated Port Ainé ski resort, which has something to suit children of all ages from sledding play areas to treetop adventure parks. In summer, beat a path to the Alt Pirineu Natural Park which has abundant paths ideal for reluctant hikers, many of them with great views of the Pica d’Estats, which at 3143m is the highest mountain in Catalonia. Lovers of adventure sports should head to Sort on the Noguera Pallaresa river, which is the region’s top spot for whitewater rafting with gentle open kayaking for littler kids and thrilling canyoning for teenagers.

The Vall de Camprodon, located in Girona province just North of the town of Ripoll, is famous for its art nouveau architecture. One of the main draws of the Vall de Camprodon is the Ter and Freser Headwaters Natural Park, with its lush valleys and thrilling backdrop of high peaks. It’s a must-visit for aspiring bird-watchers, who if they’re lucky might see Griffon vultures, golden eagles, and Eurasian eagle-owls. Little kids will love the Camprodon Valley Tourist Train, which takes passengers on a 45 minute tour of Camprodon, allowing them to explore the valley and see incredible views of the Pont Nou without too much walking. And everyone will adore the food, particularly the local specialty biscuits, which they’ve been making since the 19th Century.

Plan your sustainable trip to the Catalan Pyrenees at visitpirineus.com/en

Ukrainian POWs ‘systematically executed’ by Russia, says top commander

Prisoners of war are being systematically executed by Russian forces, according to one of Ukraine’s most decorated soldiers.

Major Oleh Shyriaiev, who was awarded the top national decoration of Hero of Ukraine for his leadership on the battlefield, told The Times that he often intercepts transmissions in which orders to kill surrendering troops are given by Russian military leaders.

Combat observers say evidence of alleged war crimes by Russian troops has grown in recent months. Moscow has intensified its attacks on Ukraine even as peace talks continue between the US and European and Russian leaders.

Footage taken by Russian soldiers or Ukrainian reconnaissance drones appears to show servicemen being lined up and shot dead after they surrender. One clip, filmed by a drone on 19 November near Pokrovsk, allegedly shows a soldier firing at four unarmed men with a machine gun as they lie face down, then he shoots at another man attempting to flee.

Claimed cases of beheadings are also being investigated by Ukrainian prosecutors, as well as an alleged incident of a Ukrainian soldier with his hands tied behind his back being killed with a sword.

Shyriaiev, who commands the Ukrainian 225th Separate Assault Battalion, said: “The number of executions is growing and this is happening in all directions of the front line. For Russians, there are no red lines … In the wiretaps and radio communication that we intercept, we routinely hear their military leadership giving orders to execute our servicemen who are trying to surrender. This practice has become a systematic one, I would say, in the last year and a half.

“They are demonstrating to the whole civilised world that they can do things with impunity. But also, they are showing that they do not respect the rules of warfare and any international conventions that have been signed by countries.”

Russian forces have executed at least 147 Ukrainian prisoners of war since the start of the war in 2022, with 147 taking place this year, according to the Ukrainian prosecution service, reflecting the commander’s observations.

Yuri Belousov, who leads the war crimes department at the Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office, said: “The upward trend is very clear, very obvious. Sadly, their number has been particularly on the rise this summer and autumn. This tells us that they are not isolated cases. They are happening across vast areas and they have clear signs of being part of a policy.”

The United Nations has also recorded a rise in alleged Russian war crimes since mid-November, according to Danielle Bell, the head of the UN human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine.

Prisoners of war are offered protection by international humanitarian law, especially the Third Geneva Convention, with execution being classified as a war crime.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously said that Ukrainian prisoners of war have “always” been treated “strictly in line with international legal documents and international conventions” by Russian forces.

The revelations come as US President Donald Trump hailed crucial peace talks between the US and Ukraine as “terrific” but acknowledged “thorny issues” remained before a deal could be achieved over the war with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Sunday, hoping to make progress on the proposed 20-point peace plan, with particular concerns over security and economic agreements.

The two leaders gave little away during a press conference following the discussions, but Mr Trump said he believed “a lot of progress” had been made.

Premium Bonds prize checker: When is January’s draw and have I won?

Every month, savers have the chance to win big prizes as the Premium Bonds winning numbers are announced. There are now 24 million people taking part in the government-backed savings scheme, with more than £127bn banked.

Premium bonds are an investment product from the National Savings and Investment (NS&I), which is owned by the government. Each month, millions of savers are entered into a prize draw to win cash prizes ranging from £25 to £1 million, with two millionaires made at every draw.

Every £1 entered has a 22,000-to-one chance of winning. The minimum investment is £25, while the maximum is £50,000.

These savings don’t accrue interest as with regular bank accounts, but are put up against a random digital prize picker called ‘Ernie’ – the Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment.

The date of this month’s draw is Friday 2 January. The results of this draw are available a day later and released by the NS&I here.

There are many Premium Bond winners every month, but the actual chance of winning remains fairly low. Most people will never win a prize, meaning their investment will stay the same. However, the scheme is also risk-free, meaning money won’t be lost either.

Analysis by money expert Martin Lewis found that the ‘interest rate’ on Premium Bonds accounts is 4 per cent when all winnings are considered – but notes most people won’t see anything like this. Many savings accounts in the UK also offer a higher interest rate than this, which will be far more consistent.

The distribution of prizes changes slightly every month. Here were the results in January 2025:

To check if you’ve won a prize on Premium Bonds, you can visit the NS&I checker on its website and enter your bond numbers.

There is also an NS&I app which allows savers to check results on the go.