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Daily Mirror
14 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Strictly's judging line-up confirmed after fears over star's exit
The judging line-up for the 23rd series of Strictly Come Dancing has been revealed after fans of the BBC competition await the latest batch of celebrities The latest batch of Strictly Come Dancing celebrity contestants may be being kept under wraps but the judging panel has been confirmed. And for many fans they are now breathing a sigh of relief. Ahead of the latest series of the popular BBC dance contest, those watching from behind the desk have been announced. Taking to social media, the official Strictly page shared the exciting news. With a reel of images of the stars and the theme tune, the BBC show said on Instagram: "We've been limbering-up and practicing our curtsies, ready for the new series of Strictly with our amazing judging panel, Shirley, Anton, Motsi and Craig and our incredible MBEs Tess and Claudia - Congratulations on your FAB-U-LOUS achievement!" Celebrities were quick to comment on the post. Among those sharing their delight was professional dancer Amy Dowden, who wrote: "Can't wait xxx" alongside a number of love heart emojis. Dianne Buswell and Karen Hauer also shared their glee. As too did Motsi Mabuse, who took to the comments section as she gushed: "And just like that… we're BACK on @bbcstrictly. Let the sparkle, the sweat and the sequins begin! "Can't wait to share another magical season with all of you. #StrictlyComeDancing #TeamStrictly #GratefulHeart" The announcement comes as fans had thought Craig Revel Horwood had hinted he would be leaving the show. However, they have been left pleased that this is not the case. While the latest batch of famous faces has not been officially announced, the rumour mill is in full swing. Among those linked to the dance floor is former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The 53-year-old Dutch sportsman is thought to be the latest in a long line of football legends to take to the Strictly stage, following the likes of Robbie Savage, Alex Scott and Tony Adams. A source told The Sun earlier this month: 'Jimmy has a huge fanbase from his years playing in the Premier League and is a very likeable character. Show producers are always keen to book a retired footballer as it gets footie fans tuning into the series and becoming unlikely fans of the show. "Jimmy has a competitive edge and is going to get his head in the game.' Others tipped for an appearance include Olympian Sir Mo Farah, Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey - better known as Nitro - and former Big Brother contestant Yinrun Huang. Bosses will be hoping for a drama-free 23rd series off-stage. The show has been dragged into disrepute in recent years amid accusations that professional dancers have been physically abusive to their celebrity dance partners. While the celebs have also been accused of offensive behaviour.
Rhyl Journal
25 minutes ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Rob Key never doubted Jofra Archer's desire to return to Test cricket
Stress fractures in his right elbow and lower back have conspired to keep Archer on 13 Test caps since February 2021 and repeated setbacks could have seen him throw in his lot on the franchise circuit. Key, England's managing director of men's cricket, suspects Archer would have been in high demand and the prospect is attractive because of a much lighter workload, required to bowl only four overs a game. Archer has a deal with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, where he broke his thumb this year to derail hopes of a much-anticipated Test return for England at the start of the summer. But Key was always certain Archer, who is in England's squad for the second Test against India, was destined to play red-ball cricket again and argued he could now establish himself as an all-time great. 'Jofra has always been adamant that he's wanted to play Test cricket,' said Key, speaking at a Rothesay media event in London. 'He's had probably more so than anyone in the game… he could have been tempted to go down other routes and he's never once done it. I've always had faith in Jofra. 'He could be one of the best bowlers we've had – and you only do that in Test cricket. Hopefully for the next few years, we'll be fortunate to see Jofra have a chance to stake that claim.' Key was coy about whether Archer would play at Edgbaston next week or in the third Test at Lord's, starting in a fortnight, having only bowled 18 overs in his first first-class match in four years. Archer bowled economically and at high pace in taking one for 32 at Durham this week but his coach at Sussex, Paul Farbrace, an ex-England assistant, believes the paceman needs more time in county cricket. Jofra Archer is 𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲 🔥 Our squad to take on India in the second Test has just dropped 📋👇 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 26, 2025 England, though, have painstakingly managed Archer to the brink of a Test comeback in the last couple of years, all thanks to the efforts of doctors, physios and especially fast bowling coach Neil Killeen. Captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum will also be mindful of overloading Archer, whose initial injury woes were blamed on him bowling 42 overs in a Test against New Zealand in late 2019. 'The temptation at times with Jofra is that he can do a bit of everything but you've got to use him when he can impact the game,' said Key. 'Jofra's been on a long period where he's been building up and building up. I think we've gone slower than we could have done, the temptation would have been to rush him and to bring him back sooner. 'But we've gone down this road to make sure that we're in this position now where we think he'll be able to play. We've picked him in the squad and we'll see how the conditions are (at Edgbaston). 'We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.' Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue were the three frontline seamers, alongside captain Ben Stokes, to help England secure a five-wicket win over India and go 1-0 up in the five-match series. Jamie Overton and Sam Cook are also pushing for Test call-ups while Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood are optimistic of being involved at some point against Shubman Gill's tourists. 'There was a time where you thought it was all about Wood and Archer and we needed that X-factor pace – but now we've got a few of them,' added Key. 'Jofra is another piece in that puzzle. 'We don't know who's the next great England opening partnership because there's a number of those options that could be the mainstay of England bowlers for years. I can't wait to see who that will be.'
The 42
29 minutes ago
- Sport
- The 42
Former Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews appointed as new Brentford manager
KEITH ANDREWS HAS been confirmed as the new manager at Brentford. The former Republic of Ireland international has been heavily linked with the vacancy at the Premier League club and his appointment has now been confirmed. Andrews becomes the successor to Thomas Frank, having been part of the Dane's staff last season when he impressed as a set-piece coach. 'Pretty humbled would be the overriding feeling, honoured that I'm the person that's been chosen to take the club into the next chapter', Andrews told Brentford's in-house media. 'I'm very appreciative of the owner, the board and the staff that have supported this decision. It's an opportunity I feel I'm very capable of doing and ready to do. 'I don't know where to start in terms of what's exciting me because there's so much: the potential of the football club, the potential of the players and the potential of the staff that underpin what has brought success to this brilliant football club.' 'It's an amazing place to be and I've felt that for 12 months now. That will remain. It's really important to me to have that vibe around the football club, that energy. Advertisement 'There are a lot of words that are preached in sporting environments, like culture, and they're not lived, whereas they are lived here on a daily basis. I think it's really important to keep that humility that we have as a football club and continue to grow. 'I want a team that the fans feel represents them and what they want to see on a Saturday. 'We want to play winning football, we want to be competitive, we want to have an edge, we want to play dynamic, relentless football but we want to be organised. 'We want to have huge moments, huge games, and I think the big one is that we want to have an attitude and a relentlessness of progression. We really need to maintain that, and that's on a daily basis. 'If you do that, the rest looks after itself. 'It's a massive advantage to know the players inside out, I've got a really good connection with the players. The ceiling is massive in terms of what we can achieve and I've got so much belief in them. 'I love being on the grass, I love developing young players, I love seeing the growth in young players as players and as human beings. There's clear alignment between myself and the football club on that. 'There will be a clear plan to try and develop our talented young players and also our older players, because development doesn't just stop when you get to a certain age; it's for every single player, and we'll support them in every single way we can.' 'Keith is a very good fit,' said director of football Phil Giles. 'He gets on with everyone, he's very open and he's a learner. Keith is clear in what he wants, he's detailed, and the players and staff like and respect him. 'He understands the players in the building and the way we've played and trained under Thomas Frank. 'Keith will bring his own evolution but isn't starting from scratch, so hopefully we can make some quick progress. 'He's a very good coach and has clear ideas about how he wants the team to improve. We were looking for somebody not just to maintain what we've been doing but actually try and get better.' Andrews' backroom staff has yet to be announced, though there are a lot of vacancies to fill with assistant first-team coach Justin Cochrane, head of athletic performance Chris Haslam and first-team analyst Joe Newton all following Frank to Tottenham.
BBC News
29 minutes ago
- Business
- BBC News
'The owner keeps me busy, in a good way'
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler says the owner is keeping him "busy" during the off-season as they continue their work in the transfer Seagulls have already been active in the summer window, having signed three teenagers and 21-year-old defender Diego and the ownership will be looking to build on the German's first season in charge as they look to secure European football again having narrowly missed out in 2024-25 when they finished eighth in the Premier interest in a number of their key players, the club's work will not only focus on who they can bring in but who they can keep hold of and who may head out the door."The owner keeps me busy, in a good way," Hurzeler told BBC Radio Sussex during a charity walk for the club's foundation."I'm really happy to work. It is a lot of work to do - the preparation for the season and pre-season is very important."You need the right people, the right squad, so you need to do a lot of research, a lot of calls."I'm really happy we are working in detail, working to get the right people. The players we have signed already have great characters and great potential, and I'm very, very happy they have signed with us. I'm really looking forward to working with them."Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Colchester sign Shrewsbury midfielder Gape
Dominic Gape made his only Premier League appearance for Southampton in a 3-0 win over Everton in December 2014 [Getty Images] Colchester United have signed midfielder Dominic Gape following his departure from Shrewsbury Town. Gape, made 16 appearances for Salop last season as the club finished bottom of League One, ending their 10-year stay in the third tier. Advertisement The former Southampton trainee has played at every level of the English professional pyramid, from the Premier League with Saints to seven seasons at Wycombe, helping the club go from League Two up to the Championship. He also had a 10-game spell in the National League with Eastleigh in the first half of last term before his move to Shrewsbury. Gape is Colchester's second signing of the summer following the arrival of forward Jaden Williams from Tottenham. "Coming through at Wycombe, I was really lucky to have a great group of senior pros to help guide me," Gape said. "Now I feel like it's my turn to be that senior pro, to offer guidance and show the young lads what it means to be a professional and to be a winner." The length of Gape's deal has not been disclosed.
