National News

An eighth celebrity has been eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing after a competitive weekend at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Sunday’s episode of the BBC One show saw 79-year-old broadcaster Angela Rippon lose out to soap star Bobby Brazier following a dance-off. Rippon performed the American smooth to Tea For Two by Ella Fitzgerald with dance partner Kai Widdrington while 20-year-old Brazier and his partner Dianne Buswell jived to Wake Me

Russell Brand has been interviewed under caution by the Metropolitan Police over allegations of sexual offences, it has been reported. In September, the 48-year-old comedian was accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. A man, understood to be Brand, was questioned by detectives at a police station in south London on November

Travis Head’s outstanding century carried Australia to World Cup glory for the sixth time as they downed all-conquering India to silence over 110,000 home fans in Ahmedabad. The hosts brushed aside all-comers – including Australia in their opening group game – as they marched to the final with a 100 per cent record, but came up short in a six-wicket loss in front of an enormous but increasingly morose crowd

Passengers are facing delays at Heathrow Airport after strong winds and staff shortages led to air traffic control restrictions. It comes following reports from angry passengers on social media on Sunday, who said their flights had been delayed or cancelled. In a statement, Heathrow Airport said strong wind had caused “minor changes” to flight schedules. “Strong wind is forecast today, while there may be minor changes to today’s schedule as

Cutting-edge plans to use drones as first responders to police emergencies will be trialled in Norfolk next year. If testing is successful, the devices would be stationed on buildings and operated remotely to be sent first to scenes to give police early information. Initial trials, under a scheme dubbed Project Eagle X, will take place in Norfolk, which has limited access to the helicopters flown by the National Police Air

The Princess of Wales will again host her Christmas carol service, where midwives and nursery teachers will be among the guests in celebration of those supporting young children and families. Kate’s now traditional festive event will be attended by members of the royal family, with the King and Queen likely to join the congregation, like last year, alongside the princess’s husband William and children Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Singers

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is set for a dramatic launch on Sunday as it returns to the Australian jungle with a high-profile line-up of contestants including politician Nigel Farage and Jamie Lynn Spears – sister of popstar Britney. The 23rd series of the hit ITV show has already made headlines after it was confirmed Farage, 59, the former leader of the UK Independence Party (Ukip) and

MPs have criticised the “shocking” lack of detail provided by ministers on the crumbling concrete crisis in schools as they warned about the “alarming” state of classroom buildings. In a report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), MPs said “unacceptable numbers of pupils are learning in poorly maintained or potentially unsafe buildings” in England. They said the school estate had “deteriorated to the point where an alarming 700,000 pupils are

Households closest to new pylons and electricity substations could receive up to £10,000 off their bills over a decade under plans being announced by Jeremy Hunt. The Chancellor will detail the bid to reduce the delays to projects because of planning objections in his autumn statement on Wednesday. The move will come alongside plans to halve the time it takes to deliver new electricity networks to seven years, and a