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Brad Spencer reveals the Falkirk title message from Brian Graham moments after Patrick Thistle heartbreak
Brad Spencer reveals the Falkirk title message from Brian Graham moments after Patrick Thistle heartbreak

Daily Record

time16 hours ago

  • Sport
  • Daily Record

Brad Spencer reveals the Falkirk title message from Brian Graham moments after Patrick Thistle heartbreak

The then-Thistle striker had dealt a hammerblow to the Bairns title hopes - before joining them in the Premiership for the new season Brad Spencer trudged off the pitch with his head spinning and Brian Graham's consoling arm draped round him – but kind words were the last thing on his mind in Maryhill. A stoppage-time sickener from Partick Thistle substitute Terry Ablade had sealed a 2-1 defeat – Falkirk 's third winless clash – putting the title party on ice and giving Livingston a shot at reeling them back in. ‌ The Bairns had looked nailed on for the crown at the outset of April but as the whistle blew at Firhill, Spencer could only stew. ‌ Then came Graham, Thistle's co-boss and the man who had opened the scoring, offering a few words of solace. Spencer's first instinct may have been to tell him where to go – little did he know that place was Falkirk in a summer double deal along with former Celtic keeper Scott Bain. John McGlynn's men held their nerve a week later for title glory and a long-awaited return to the top flight as Spencer, now 29, capped it all by being named PFA Scotland Championship Player of the Year. Looking back, that chat with Graham didn't sting for long – in fact, he's grateful for it now. The vice-skipper said: 'Brian came up to me after the game at Firhill. I was speaking to him before about the Player of the Year and stuff like that. 'He said something about it being a great year for myself and then 'just go on and win it', he's 'desperate for us to win it', we deserve to win it and 'you'll go get the job done next week'. In the end we did. ‌ 'I definitely had different words in my head than those that came out at the time to tell Brian just because I was annoyed at how the game went! 'He was being professional, it was lovely words and in the end there were people who were rooting for us to go out and do the job because we consistently were the best team in the league. It was nice from Brian. ‌ 'Looking back now, it was the best way we could've done it – at home in front of our fans and enjoying the night like that was magic. 'Taking it into the last game obviously wasn't good at times for people's nerves but we always had strong belief in the squadwe would get it done.' Now Spencer reckons the old guard – 37-year-old Graham, 36-year-old Scott Arfield and 33-year-old Bain – can form a solid spine for a young squad stepping into the big time. ‌ He added: 'I've known Brian for a while. Playing against him, you get to chat. 'Scott seems a lovely lad also, another good character the gaffer has picked. He's got a knack of picking good players to have around the dressing room. It would be daft not to lean on their experience. 'They've both been around the game for a long time, along with Scotty. It's an experienced group, compared to last year when we were a wee bit younger. ‌ 'We've got a wee bit of a mixture – we've got pace, we've got experience. It's exciting. 'We had success last year against a couple of Premiership teams and still played our way in those games. At times wehad to sit in, soak up a wee bit more pressure and rely on a wee bit of luck or Nicky (Hogarth) to make saves. 'So it's going to be different. We just need to add different strings to our bow and try to find the best way to win games. ‌ 'The gaffer has always stressed about keeping the continuity and feelgood factor around the place. If you start ripping everything apart, you're starting from the bare bones. 'Whereas we're two, three years into our journey. We know what to expect from the gaffer and Smudger (assistant Paul Smith) which suits a lot of us. 'It has worked. That's how we get the best out of people like myself, Dylan (Tait), the wingers and everybody else. ‌ 'There's no point in coming up and being spooked. It's just about trying to continue what we've done that's got us success.' No one can say Spencer's had it easy as he gets set for his Premiership debut seven years after exiting Kilmarnock without a top-team appearance. The midfielder, who spent his youth career in the States withPortland Timbers and Houston Dynamo, said: 'I've certainly taken longer to get to the Premiership than I'd have liked. 'But everybody's got a different path, there are late developers. I came back from America and I was wet behind the ears, didn't know enough about professional football and playing the men's game. 'It shows there are people out there who just need a chance and they can do well.'

Brian Dowling and Jennifer Zamparelli return to airwaves as they fill in Today FM slot
Brian Dowling and Jennifer Zamparelli return to airwaves as they fill in Today FM slot

Sunday World

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • Sunday World

Brian Dowling and Jennifer Zamparelli return to airwaves as they fill in Today FM slot

The pair are set to cover for Dave Moore as he takes two weeks' holidays Brian Dowling and Jennifer Zamparelli are set to return to the airwaves over the next two weeks as they cover for Dave Moore on Today FM. Taking to Instagram, Dowling, who left sister station 98FM earlier this month after two years, announced the news. 'And Just Like That... I'm back on the radio,' the father of two shared. 'So excited to be filling in for the man who is in shorts 365 days of the year @davetodayfm for his show on @todayfm as he takes his Summer holidays, well let's be honest if I had legs like him I'd do the same." Brian will host the show for one week, starting on Monday, with former RTÉ 2FM star Jennifer Zamparelli then taking over for the following week. 'I'm taking the reins from Monday for a week & then the gorgeous @jenzamparelli takes over from there. Bring on the next week of RADIO FABULOUSNESS. 'To the team, there START YOUR ENGINES & in the words of @gourounlian LET'S DO THIS.' Sharing the news to her Instagram account, Jennifer said: 'Standing in front of a @davetodayfm poster. Asking his listeners to love me.' Brian announced his shock departure from 98FM on June 3 following a rumoured rift with his co-host Suzanne Kane. 'I made the decision earlier in the year that I would not be continuing co-hosting on Brian Dowling & Suzanne Kane on @98fmdublin making this Friday June 6th my very last show on Brian Dowling & Suzanne Kane,' he said in a statement. "When I joined Suzanne back in March of 2023, I had ZERO radio hosting skills. Blake was only 6 months old & baby Blu was only a twinkle in our eyes. It took me a minute to get into my new groove, but when I did, WOW, I honestly have had the best time & have genuinely laughed every day; even on those bad days, being part of this show ALWAYS puts a smile on my face. "Here we are now 2 years & 3 months later & I'm still laughing & smiling. I have learned so much about an industry I've been in for nearly 24 years, presenting mainly television shows but now my love for radio easily equals my love for telly. Thanking the show's production team, Brian said it 'never felt like work.' Jennifer Zamparelli & Brian Dowling News in 90 Seconds - June 27th 'I mean, how could it when I'm playing the likes of Britney, S Club & JLO, to name but a few.' he said. 'I am so looking forward to a slower Summer; I'm not actually sure if I can operate on a slower pace. Brian said he would continue to present The Six O'Clock Show on Virgin Media, adding that he would also shoot his TV sho The Salvage Squad. 'As well as some trips away I've planned; in fact, it's turning out to be a very memorable Summer. 'Goodbyes are not something I'm very good at, but this doesn't feel like a goodbye at all; it's more of a talk to you later. This is Brian Dowling & you are listening to 98FM ♥️' Meanwhile, Jennifer left RTÉ 2FM last May after presenting her own show on the station for five years. She recently admitted that while her name was in the mix to take over from Joe Duffy when he leaves Liveline today after 27 years, she has 'no interest' in the job. When asked if she wanted his job by Oliver Callan on his Radio One show today, Zamperelli took herself out of the running for the role. "Absolutely not. No interest, no,' she told the presenter. Speaking about her departure from the station, she said she missed being on air. 'I miss the interaction with people, I miss the craic, I miss my team. 'But do I have any regrets? I don't think so, because I've been able to do so much other stuff.'

Brian May breaks silence on Queen bandmate Freddie Mercury's ‘secret love child' after DNA test
Brian May breaks silence on Queen bandmate Freddie Mercury's ‘secret love child' after DNA test

The Irish Sun

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • The Irish Sun

Brian May breaks silence on Queen bandmate Freddie Mercury's ‘secret love child' after DNA test

BRIAN May has broken his silence on claims his Queen bandmate Freddie Mercury had a 'secret love child'. A bombshell new book titled Love, Freddie by biographer Lesley-Ann Jones will be released later this year and tells how Advertisement 4 Brian May's reaction to bandmate Freddie Mercury's 'secret love child' has been revealed Credit: Shutterstock 4 It's been claimed he has a daughter who was born in 1976 Credit: Redferns 4 Brian's wife Anita says he doesn't believe the claims Credit: PA Wire Now 77-year-old Recalling the moment she heard the claims, Anita, 76, said: 'I went 'what?' I thought 'no'. And I said to Brian, 'Do you know about this?' And he said, 'Do you believe this?'' Speaking to the Advertisement More on Freddie Mercury She continued: 'There must be lots of people who have children that we don't know about. 'It's just because it's him. Because he's iconic. 'And the type of animal that he was, it seems inconceivable that he would have a child with someone we don't know about.' Before Advertisement Most read in Celebrity She kept them a secret for years, but recently handed them over to the author to form the basis of the book that'll be released later this year. The woman, who was born in 1976, says she always knew the legendary singer was her dad - despite being raised by a loving family. Freddie Mercury's family in bitter war with his ex who star 'left £37.5m' as they battle to get his belongings back She lives in Europe working as a medical professional with children of her own, making Freddie a post-humous granddad. 4 Freddie and Brian performing in London in 1985 Credit: Getty Advertisement

Property Advice: How big or high can we extend?
Property Advice: How big or high can we extend?

Irish Examiner

timea day ago

  • General
  • Irish Examiner

Property Advice: How big or high can we extend?

Hi Brigid, We have just gone 'sale agreed' on an 800 sq ft, mid-terraced, 1950s city home and we love the setting and the west-facing aspect at the back. The neighbours either side have done rear extensions, one of which is single-storey and was exempt from planning for being under 40 sq m. The other is two-storey and had planning permission granted, but has a kitchen window (above head height) overlooking our patio. What are our rights, and duties, if we want to extend? We want to get on with our new neighbours, but it looks like they have limited our options. Brian and Sarah, Limerick Congratulations to you both on going sale agreed. Finding a property with the right aspect is hard, and the chances reduce when you are looking at houses in estates. Often, the houses with the right amenity space are kept, because the owners know what they have. Who wants to sit out in the front garden to catch the evening sun? It would become exhausting saying 'Hi' to all the neighbours and having to go through small talk every other minute when all you want to do is get back to that book or have a sneaky snooze. The good news? You're far from alone. Many homeowners in similar situations have successfully extended and improved their homes, respectfully, legally, and often with fantastic results. So, let's break this down and get you clear on what your rights and duties are when it comes to extending your home. As potential homeowners of a mid-terraced house, you have a right to improve and extend your property within the legal framework of the planning regulations. Most domestic extensions fall under two categories: Exempted development and developments that require planning permission. Exempted development means you don't need planning permission, provided you meet certain criteria (like staying within 40 sq m of additional floor space and not exceeding height limits or taking up too much of your garden). Planning permission required means your plans exceed the thresholds of exempted development or involve changes that affect neighbouring properties, the street scene, or protected structures. Your neighbours have each gone down their own path here. An exempt, single-storey extension may sit where the patio is placed and you will then need to push the patio further down the garden. So, what are your options for extending? To be fully informed, please look at Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, Schedule 2, Part 1 Exempt Development – General, Class 1. Print this out or put it on your tablet and walk around your property. This will help you make an informed decision and both of you can discuss how to comply, while still satisfying your need to extend. You refer to the neighbour's kitchen window and how it may negatively impact your patio area. I have to make an assumption here that this window is on the rear extension as opposed to the side elevation. Were it on a side elevation, the authority would likely have conditioned the window to have obscured glazing. You might go online and look up the drawings and read the conditions to see if the building is compliant. No one wants to row with neighbours, but if they have not followed the grant of permission, you might be able to persuade them to do so and protect your amenity. But let's move off the negative and view this from a perspective that all is official and legal. Let's look at being clever and creative. An exempt, single-storey extension may sit where the patio is placed and you will then need to push the patio further down the garden. With good design, this may become obscured, protecting your private space from your neighbour's gaze. You might even decide to put your patio indoors, by building a 'lightbox' extension, where you can maximise the heat gain and use well-placed, obscured glazing or walls to prevent anyone seeing in. This might be fully sealed, or you might decide on an unheated space where you can leave permanently open sections for easy access into the garden. With the incredible range of outdoor tiles and flooring options, there are no limits to how visually warm you could make the space. I recall sitting in an unheated, single-storey rear extension, when I was a child. The property was a B&B and I thought it was paradise. It had door openings between the piers that held the roof, but there were no doors, so you stepped straight into the garden. It had a 'cathedral ceiling and lantern rooflight in the ridgeline, white floor tiles with coloured floral tiles dotted here and there. Big, potted plants were everywhere. The owner was an old lady and she sat with a rug on her lap while reading the newspaper in the early morning. The rain was torrential, but we were dry and, to be honest, it was magical. You could also apply for a two-storey extension, but via planning permission. Your neighbour has set a precedent, and local planners will take that in to account. Be mindful that the more significant the impact on neighbours (in terms of overshadowing, overlooking, or loss of light/privacy), the more scrutiny it will receive from the planners. That window your neighbour added above head height has likely satisfied the planners by being high-level or may have obscure glazing to protect your privacy. A similar approach might work for you. There is great merit in getting a professional designer to tease out the challenges. When you see a design you like, you could make enquiries and check if you can engage that same designer. Or take as many pictures as you can and instruct your designer as to your wish list. They will factor in the regulatory allowances and bring to bear their experience in such things. Between you all, you will get a good result. You may decide that you are capable of designing yourself and that is your choice. But when it comes to the build, please ensure that you have a professional to liaise with the builder. I have seen so many extensions where drainage was not considered, first-floor windowsills were cut into or removed, and what remained was not properly detailed, resulting in water ingress. I have seen gaps between the original building and the extension, poorly supported roofs, poorly flashed rooflights. The list goes on and on. There are construction professionals for a reason. Please consider engaging a reputable one. I wish you the very best with your plans. Brigid Browne is a chartered building surveyor and chair of the Southern Region of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland. She is the owner/ managing director of Cashel-based Fortress Planning which offers a range of services including assigned certifier, design certifier, building surveyor, and conservation consultancy to clients all over the country — If you have a property related query or issue you would like to raise with Brigid, please email irishexaminerpropertyqueries@

Plot twist: Surprise death causes outrage from fans of The Simpsons
Plot twist: Surprise death causes outrage from fans of The Simpsons

Euronews

time2 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Euronews

Plot twist: Surprise death causes outrage from fans of The Simpsons

Springfield's finest have accompanied most people throughout their childhoods and the US series created by Matt Groening in 1989 remains popular to this day with the young and not-so-young alike. The Simpsons, the longest-running animated TV series, just aired the final episode of its 36th season. And wouldn't you know it, they killed off Marge, the iconic blue-haired mother and pillar of the family. Sort of. At the end of the finale, titled "Estranger Things", there is a 35-year leap into the future during which includes a brief scene at Marge's funeral. An older Homer cries over a tombstone that reads: 'Beloved wife, mother, pork-chop seasoner.' Marge is seen one last time in the afterlife, where she's busy locking tongues with now-dead Ringo Starr. 'I'm just so glad we're allowed to marry different people in Heaven,' she says, ending the episode. So, yes, Marge is dead. Its canonical. But she dies in the future. As most of us will. Viewers and fans don't often cope all that well with sudden changes in their favourite series, and there has been outcry, with many questioning the reality of Marge's death in the series timeline. The Family Guy precedent Deaths are rare in The Simpsons. In 36 seasons, only a few secondary characters such as Maude Flanders and Larry Dalrymple have snuffed it. But Family Guy has been through its fair share of obituary controversy. The cult animated series created by Seth MacFarlane offers another depiction of an American family, with an extra helping of absurdity. The Griffin family also caused controversy by killing off fan favourite Brian, the family's boozy pup. In the sixth episode of season 12, Brian is run over by a car and dies. However, due to the huge outcry from fans, he was revived two episodes later - with the help of Stewie's time machine. Would his revival have even happened had fans not raged online? MacFarlane explained in an interview with Rolling Stone that Brian's death was not a ploy to boost ratings, but to show fans that anything can happen. It turned out to be a huge gamble and at the time, MacFarlane added that he was "pleasantly surprised" that fans cared enough about the character to get so angry. Peppa Pig: A third child To step away from death for a moment, let's talk Peppa. Believe it or not, British animated series Peppa Pig already has 420 episodes. The child-friendly series deals with everyday situations (riding a bike, going to a flea market, holiday preparations...) in five-minute episodes. The main character, Peppa, is the eldest daughter and has not only had a brother since February, but also a sister, Evie - representing the first major change in the wildly successful children's series. The news was announced by Mummy Pig herself on Good Morning Britain in February - in the form of a live statement to the nation. Day-to-day appointments with TV characters, real and fictional, feel to many like a reunion with old acquaintances and loved ones. Major changes - joyful or in the case of a character death, less so - can be a creative gamble. And in the case of expiration, these punts are often met with disapproval and passionate outcry. Understandably, considering the emotional investment that can be threatened within a familiar environment. There's also the human need for consistency, especially in troubled times. Escapism is all very well and good, but distabilize the established order of things, and outbursts from long-running fans are hardly surprising. So yes, Marge will die. Even beloved animated characters have to deal with Benjamin Franklin's words: "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." But her iconic hair will return. However, considering the series has no set or consistent birthdays and Marge's generally accepted canon age is 36, a 35-year leap would mean the matriarch popped her clogs aged 71. That feels awfully young, no? The episode 'Estranger Things' does not reveal how she dies. Maybe that's the real mystery to solve here? We're betting that it was chronic back pain from carrying that tall hairdo. For more on The Simpsons and the show's capacity to predict the future, click here.

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