Why Lewis Cope is the Strictly partner Katya Jones deserves

Lewis Cope has become the first Strictly Come Dancing 2025 star to land a 10 – but the person I’m most happy for is his professional partner Katya Jones.

It’s fair to say the Russian dancer hasn’t always had it easy on the programme. Jones – together with then-husband Neil – made her debut as a Strictly professional in 2016. While her other half was immediately placed on the subs bench, Jones found herself catapulted into the spotlight when she was paired with Ed Balls.

What the Labour politician lacked in dance ability, he more than compensated for in commitment – and it was Jones who brought him out of his shell, choreographing routines including their legendary “Gangnam Style” performance.

The following year, Jones was paired with Joe McFadden and the duo embarked on an extraordinary Strictly journey that saw the Holby City actor go from lesser-known outsider to lifting the Glitterball trophy.

It was in 2018 that things started to fall apart, though. A promising start with comedian Seann Walsh ultimately ended in controversy when she and Walsh were caught kissing outside a London pub (on Walsh’s then-girlfriend’s birthday, no less). Their promising Strictly story was hastily rewritten after the controversy and they limped out of the competition just a few weeks later.

In the years that followed, it certainly seemed as though Jones was being paired with celebs who didn’t stand a chance of winning or suffered bad luck – or both. In the 2020 run, she was one half of the show’s first ever same-sex couple, dancing with Nicola Adams. Unfortunately, they were forced to withdraw early when the boxer contracted Covid-19.

The bad fortune continued in 2022 and 2023, when Jones’s celebrity partners Nigel Harman and Tony Adams were forced to pull out due to injuries. Last year, there was the infamous Wynne-gate, which ultimately cast a cloud over not just Jones and Wynne Evans’s stint on the programme but the whole series itself.

Through it all, Jones has proven herself to be one of the best choreographers Strictly has to offer, capable of transforming non-dancers into something special. It’s easily forgotten but the Walsh drama came just after a truly mind-blowing Matrix-themed routine. And years later, when Jones had drummed some steps into Tony Adams, the judges labelled him “unrecognisable”.

Fast forward then to the current run, which on Saturday night saw Lewis Cope become the first Class of 2025 star to land a 10 thanks to a drama-filled Paso Doble. The performance cemented the Emmerdale actor as one of the stars to beat this year – and for me, raised an important question: could Katya Jones finally have another shot at winning?

In Cope, Jones (at last) has a partner who could go all the way. The 30-year-old has some previous dance training, having appeared in the West End production of Billy Elliot as a child, but not so much experience that fans are fixated on it (as they are with fellow frontrunner Amber Davies). There are no signs of nerves and his acting skills are shining through in his routines – just watch last week’s romantic Viennese Waltz. He’s athletic and physically fit, capable of taking on whatever ambitious moves Jones throws at him.

For the professional dancer, this partnership must be a dream. And if you ask me, it’s long overdue.

Woman arrested on suspicion of murder after two children found dead in house

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two children died in Stafford.

Staffordshire Police said officers were called to a home on Corporation Street at about 7.30am on Sunday by West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Two children were pronounced dead at the scene, the force spokesperson added.

Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers.

A force spokesperson added a 43-year-old woman, from the Stafford area, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

Detective Inspector Kirsty Oldfield said: “We are working hard to understand more about what happened leading up to these two children tragically losing their lives.

“We ask that people do not speculate at this stage as it is distressing for family and friends and could hinder our inquiries.

“We understand that this incident may cause concern in the local community. We don’t believe there is wider threat to the public at this time.

“A cordon is currently in place at a home on Corporation Street.”

Anyone with any information that could help with the investigation is asked to contact police on 101, or through the live chat facility on the website, quoting incident number 147 of October 12.

To report information anonymously, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.

Tartan Army look to take huge step towards World Cup qualification as Scotland face Belarus

Scotland take on Belarus in a must-win World Cup qualifier at Hampden as the Tartan Army look to take a huge step towards booking their place at next summer’s tournament finals.

Steve Clarke’s side rode their luck against Greece on Thursday but ultimately battled from behind to claim a potentially crucial 3-1 victory in the race to qualify for the country’s first men’s World Cup since 1998.

Belarus are without a point in Group C so far, having conceded 13 goals in their three defeats. Scotland were 2-0 winners away from home last month and could potentially book a play-off spot this evening with another win.

That’s because Greece travel to Denmark later tonight. A Scotland win and a Denmark win in Copenhagen knocks Greece out of contention before World Cup qualifying concludes next month, and guarantees Scotland a place in the top two.

Follow live updates from Scotland v Belarus, below

Man charged with stalking Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and family

A man has been charged with stalking Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey and his family for several months.

According to a court listing, Inigo Rowland allegedly turned up at the Kingston and Surbiton MP’s address “unannounced” and “numerous” times between June and October this year.

The 58-year-old has also been charged with possession of a flick knife.

Sir Ed and his wife Emily have one son John, who has severe disabilities, and a daughter named Ellie.

A spokesperson for Met Police said: “He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 7 October and was remanded into custody.

“He will next appear at the same court on Tuesday, 14 October.

“He was arrested on Monday, 6 October in relation to the offences, which are alleged to have taken place between June and October.”

A spokesperson for Liberal Democrats said: “We cannot provide any details at this time, Ed’s number one priority is the safety of his family.”

What it’s really like being a female journalist covering the Taliban

When a “former” UN-sanctioned terrorist comes to your city for a hush-hush visit – complete with red carpet treatment and a tour of the Taj Mahal – it makes for one hell of a story. Even more so when he’s part of a regime that oppresses millions of girls and women, preventing them from acquiring an education and having access to even the most basic human rights.

So, on hearing that Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s so-called “foreign minister”, was set to arrive in New Delhi, India, this week, I couldn’t resist the chance to quiz him over his antiquated and abhorrent views.

Little did I know what was in store.

Trying to secure an interview in the weeks leading up to his visit got me nowhere. Good morning texts to Indian authorities asking about details of his arrival were met with monosyllabic “nopes”.

“I really want to cover this visit, even if an interview isn’t possible.”

Two minutes later, “Nope.”

“Nothing at all?” I asked.

“Nothing at all,” was the reply.

“How could an off-the-record chat over coffee harm someone who has handled suicide bombers, ended Nato’s rule in Afghanistan and led the jihad against American invasion?” I thought. I am still stumped.

My only option at that point was to show up where this Taliban leader was set to be hosted in the city, since this was a formal visit. I picked up the most conservative white salwar kameez in my closet and bolted out of the door.

Outside the venue of the high-level visit, a fellow photojournalist and I realised that her being in jeans and an edgy black tunic was not going to help our cause. It was a real possibility that we’d be thrown out of the room for not wearing headscarves and dressing the part, so to speak.

So we scrambled to find cover-ups in the local market. There, we purchased long-sleeved clothes and dupattas to cover our heads, before jumping back in the car and changing into our new outfits – simultaneously haggling with the embassy to let us do our jobs.

Except we were to find out that our attire would not present an issue – not when our mere existence was a problem.

As we waited outside the embassy for the press conference with the Taliban minister, I watched as my male journalist friends waltzed into the venue without any issues.

My female colleagues and I, meanwhile, ran our throats dry, asking the Afghan embassy staff to let us in, waving our press IDs in their face.

At one point, it felt so tiring to shout my requests over the embassy wall, that I had to rise up on my tiptoes and make my face visible. The Delhi police security personnel angrily asked us to back off.

That the Taliban hate the idea of an educated, financially independent Afghan woman – banning them from parks, from speaking in public or even being visible through windows – no longer carries shock value. For years, I have listened to stories from Afghan girls and women who make calls to me in private to share how they avoided a gun to their head for seeking an education, or being raped in prison detention.

But the idea that the Taliban can make India bend to their will is a new low – one I wasn’t ready for. I did not imagine they had the power to exile me on my home soil – to create a mini-Kabul before my very eyes.

The men were allowed to do their jobs, but us women, reduced to our gender, were banned. It hit me: they didn’t want us women there all along. Even if Indian authorities had the list of journalists attending the press conference, they knew women would be banned – and they agreed to it.

After checking with the men who were allowed to be a part of the press conference if there was anything important said on geopolitics terms, wars or jihad behind those closed doors that shouldn’t have fallen on our delicate, tiny, feminine ears, I took off the head scarf and left, embittered by the events of the day.

Even for reporters who are used to chasing, requesting and begging even for quotes, this felt like the lowest of the lows.

I went to bed and thought about how badly I had been played. I felt a wave of anger and disgust in my stomach.

The Taliban managed to dictate what women were allowed and not allowed to do – even beyond Afghanistan’s border. India watched in silence.

Backtracking after pressure from global press, we have since been invited to a separate press conference with Muttaqi today. I couldn’t help but feel it was too little too late – a strategic move to save face.

My question now is: will the US and Europe continue to engage with this misogynistic regime? And how many more women will have their rights infringed upon?

Norwegian nature: Enjoy wild, wonderful adventures on a safari-at-sea

Norway’s rugged coast is chock-full of natural beauty, dotted with steep fjords where the mountains meet the sea and teeming with all kinds of curious wildlife, from orcas, humpbacks, and over 80 species of seabirds to red foxes, reindeer, and otters. Norwegians are famous for their deep love of the outdoors, which even has its own word: friluftsliv. It helps that it is home to more than 150,000 lakes and is known for its dramatic fjord-fringed landscapes and shimmering glaciers. It’s also one of the best places to catch the technicolour magic of the Aurora Borealis.

What’s more, if you explore this breathtaking region on a Hurtigruten cruise, you’ll do so alongside the expert local Expedition Team, who have spent years traversing Norway’s rugged coastline. They are always on hand to provide engaging insights into the nature, wildlife, and culture you’ll encounter on every voyage. They go above and beyond to ensure you experience more than just the tourist hot spots. Each team member has their own area of expertise and hosts regular lectures for those who want to delve deeper into a specific interest. They also encourage you to join them on their hand-picked hikes and activities, which are at an additional cost and subject to availability but offer the chance to explore with those who know the area best.

Drawing on over 130 years of travel experience, Original and Signature Hurtigruten Voyages lead passengers along Norway’s dramatic Arctic coastline, showcasing its remarkable natural beauty in all its glory, with options to stop off in various locations along the way. As you sail between destinations, keep your eyes peeled for the abundance of wildlife that frequents the area. The coastline is a popular haunt for mammals like giant humpbacks, frolicking seals and playful porpoises.

During time spent on land, depending on your route, you might also come face-to-face with reindeer in the north or the elusive lynx, not to mention the flora that decorates the landscape in various seasons. Some routes stop at Mehamn, a traditional fishing town with only 800 inhabitants. From here, you can embark on an excursion to learn about the Sámi, an indigenous people from Europe’s northernmost region, known for reindeer herding, traditional handicrafts, and a deep connection to nature. Get to know the family, hear their stories and joik chanting, and try dried reindeer meat around a fire in a lavvo tent.

There are many different journeys you can take, depending on what you want to get out of your cruise. Trace the historic Coastal Express route on one of their Original Voyages, Hurtigruten’s first and most iconic route, established in 1893 and often hailed as the world’s most beautiful voyage. You’ll cover 2,500 nautical miles and visit 34 ports, starting in Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, where you can hop on a funicular to the summit of Mount Fløyen and soak up the incredible views of the city, the nearby fjords, and the surrounding mountains.

The North Cape Line Winter route is another popular cruise for nature lovers. This Signature Voyage adventure starts and finishes in Norway’s Capital, Oslo. The Signature Voyages take things up a notch, offering unmatched views of Norway’s best bits with more time to explore each stop. They’re also a hit with foodies, thanks to the all-inclusive option featuring award-winning restaurants and seasonal produce from Norway’s bountiful coastline.

Åndalsnes is also a favourite stop on the route, home to soaring mountains overlooking the surrounding town. It’s the ultimate hotspot for hikers, climbers and skiers thanks to its abundant accessible natural beauty. The Troll Wall is a highlight for adrenaline seekers here; this 1,000-metre vertical cliff in the Romsdalen valley boasts some of the most epic views from atop, including 360-degree vistas of Romsdalshorn, Åndalsnes town centre, and the Rauma River.

This route also takes you to The City of Northern Lights, Alta, where you can stand at the northernmost point in Europe, Cape Point in Honningsvåg – the perfect vantage point for those trying to catch this incredible natural phenomenon. Hurtigruten is so confident you’ll see the lights that they even offer a ‘Northern Lights Promise’: a free cruise if you don’t see them during the season (valid on 11-day plus voyages from 20th September to 31st March).

Many of the routes stop at Lofoten, an archipelago with immense peaks and fishing villages sandwiched between slopes. It’s not hard to see why this chain of islands is referred to as one of Norway’s most beautiful locations. Hiking opportunities abound here, and most trails lead to spectacular vistas, or if you prefer to stay on the water, you can hop in a kayak and enjoy a leisurely paddle.

Lofoten isn’t the only archipelago you’ll see on specific routes — keep an eye out for the Vega archipelago, a collection of around 6,500 islands, skerries, and islets. On Gardsøy Island, you’ll find a UNESCO World Heritage Centre with dedicated huts for local eider ducks to build their nests.

Journeying south along Norway’s west coast, many of the routes also take you past some of the country’s most famous fjords, including Hardangerfjord, measuring a whopping 179 kilometres in length, making it the second longest fjord in the country and fifth longest in the world. Get your cameras ready, as you’ll be treated to panoramic mountain vistas from every direction, with snow-capped peaks peeking over the fjord reflected on mirror-like water.

Hurtigruten cruises stop at Torsken on the southbound leg of the Svalbard Line, one of their premium, all-inclusive Signature Voyages that sails from Bergen to the Arctic archipelago and back. The secluded fishing village of Torsken is perfect for outdoors enthusiasts, tucked away in Torskenfjorden on the rugged west coast of Senja Island. It’s home to just a handful of houses, workshops, and small piers sprinkled with fishing boats and is the ideal base for exploring Norway’s second-largest island, Senja.

Senja’s stunning coastline has been rightly nicknamed the ‘Caribbean of the North’ thanks to its white-sand beaches and towering mountain peaks. It’s best to take an excursion and explore by small boat to spot white-tailed eagles, seals, seabirds like cormorants, and maybe even a golden eagle. Whether exploring Senja or simply soaking up sea views from onboard, a Hurtigruten cruise offers a chance to connect with nature, wildlife, and Norway’s stunning landscapes, with countless routes to choose from.

Book your Norwegian adventure for less, with up to 30% off, plus 10% off excursions on selected Coastal Express and North Cape Line voyages. For offers, routes and excursion info, visit Hurtigruten.

UK weight-loss jab sales increase sevenfold to 2.5 million, figures reveal

Around 2.5 million people are using weight loss jabs in the UK, according to a report.

Sales of fat-fighting jabs Mounjaro and Wegovy reached 2.5 million in July, seven times more than the same period last year, according to figures seen by The Telegraph.

The Ozempic-style drugs are set to be made widely available on the NHS under plans drafted by Wes Streeting, but they are currently rare on a free prescription and many people are choosing to go private.

Sales increased by another million between July and August, according to the figures, but experts told the outlet this was largely a result of existing patients stockpiling the drugs after warnings their cost may jump.

In July, 2.49 million packs of Mounjaro and Wegovy, compared to the 493,000 bought in July 2024.

Mr Streeting warned that the “millions who can’t afford” weight loss jabs are losing out, while the wealthy are able to afford the medicines which cou;ld “help us finally defeat obesity”.

“The wealthy talk about how they’ve transformed their health, their confidence, their quality of life. But what about the millions who can’t afford them?” he told the Labour party conference.

“That is a return to the days when health was determined by wealth. When some had access to the best care money can buy, while others waited and suffered. And I say: never again.”

The popularity of the jabs has soared over the past year as they become increasingly used to tackle obesity. Around four per cent of households currently use them in the UK.

Mounjaru became available on the NHS through GP practices in June this year, as part of plans to roll the jab out to 220,000 patients over the next three years.

Only a handful of the jabs can currently be prescribed for weight loss on the NHS. The criteria for a prescription is also currently strict, despite at least 3.4 million patients being eligible for them on the NHS.

Many Britons are spending hundreds of pounds on purchasing the drugs privately. Boots online pharmacy sells Wegovy’s lowest dosage of 0.25mg a week at £125.10, rising to £206 for the highest dosage of 2.4mg.

Eli Lilly, the owner of Mounjaro, hiked the private prices of jabs in the UK under pressure from US president Donald Trump.

Ex-MI6 chief ‘confused’ over collapsed China spy trial

There are growing questions over the collapse of a case against two men accused of spying for Beijing, with the former chief of the Secret Intelligence Service saying he is unsure why the prosecution was dropped.

It comes amid allegations that the prime minister’s team had access to multiple documents that proved China was a national security risk but supposedly chose not to hand them over to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) before the case was brought to a close.

And on the eve of Sir Keir Starmer’s trip to Egypt where he will attend a Middle East peace summit chaired by Donald Trump, the White House has reportedly warned that the failure to prosecute the two alleged Chinese spies risks undermining the special relationship – and could threaten intelligence sharing between Britain and the US.

Speaking about the collapse of the trial, Sir John Sawers told Times Radio: “I don’t think it’s got anything to do with intelligence. I think these two people accused of spying in Parliament were low-grade reporters of opinion in Parliament. What they were doing, if the allegations are true, was certainly illegal.

“And frankly, I’m a bit confused and unsure about why the prosecution was dropped. Of course, China poses an intelligence threat, a subversion threat here in the UK, as well as being an economic partner.

“If these activities being paid agents inside Parliament of a foreign power, even if that foreign power was a friend of the UK’s, that would be an illegal activity. So I’m not sure why the prosecution was dropped.”

“I think the government was slow in putting out a clear line on this. We heard one from Yvette Cooper at the end of last week. But I think the Americans will be equally perplexed as to why the prosecution was dropped when the case looked pretty clear”, the former MI6 chief added.

It comes after two former top civil servants questioned the prime minister’s explanation for the abandonment of the prosecution of Christopher Cash, 30, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, 33, a teacher.

The prime minister has maintained the last Conservative administration had not designated China as a threat to national security, so his government could not provide evidence to that effect, which the director of public prosecutions (DPP) Stephen Parkinson said was required to meet the threshold for prosecution.

Lord Mark Sedwill, a predecessor to the PM’s current national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, expressed confusion about why the trial fell apart because Beijing was “of course” a threat to the UK, while former cabinet secretary Lord Simon Case said intelligence chiefs had publicly warned of the threat from China for years.

Former attorney general Dominic Grieve on Friday dismissed the government’s claims as “weird”, telling The Independent: “I can’t see why the PM was not in a position to ask the Cabinet Office to provide the evidence.”

Mr Cash and Mr Berry were charged by the CPS in April last year with spying under the Official Secrets Act 1911, when they were accused of collecting and communicating information which could be “useful to an enemy”. Both denied the charges.

White House sources told The Times that Mr Trump is increasingly concerned about the reliability of the UK after the charges were dropped, with a senior official saying: “The United States has been warning allies about the Chinese threat to our combined national security since President Trump first came into office in 2017.

“The US government exercises extreme caution in sharing information with foreign governments subject to adversarial coercion and influence.

“We are especially careful in jurisdictions where our adversaries can act with impunity.”

The collapse of the case has raised questions about Britain’s willingness to confront China as Sir Keir’s government looks to build closer ties with the country.

The Tories have accused the government of “political interference” in the trial, with shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel urging attorney general Lord Hermer, to “come to Parliament and account for what has happened”.

The Sunday Times reported last week that in a meeting last month, Sir Keir Starmer’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell revealed the government’s evidence would be based on the national security strategy, which was published in June and does not refer to Beijing as an “enemy”.

But Cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson said Mr Powell played no role in the collapse of a prosecution against two alleged Chinese spies and has the PM’s full confidence.