ARSENAL have been left to regret not signing a striker this season.

But they are determined not to make the same mistake this summer, with new chief Andrea Berta already working on deals and the club believe they are in an ideal position to snap up their main target.

AFP

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is desperate to sign a new striker this summer[/caption]

Getty

SPORTING’S GYOKERES PLAN

THERE is an inevitability around Viktor Gyokeres’ departure from Sporting Lisbon this summer as Arsenal and Manchester United keep tabs on the situation.

The big Swede, 26, was eyeing a move during the past two windows, but a gentleman’s agreement with Sporting has seen him stay put during this season – instead focusing on delivering one last league title this term in a nail-biting finale with Benfica.

As a thank you, Sporting are willing to let Gyokeres – who has 43 goals in 43 games in all competitions so far this term – leave for significantly less than his £85m release clause.

Sporting are hoping to recoup between £55m and £70m, a welcome sum given their 24/25 financial reports showed a net transfer loss of around £15m.

However, because of Sporting’s intense title race – level on points with Benfica with seven games remaining – SunSport understands the club are yet to pinpoint a first-choice replacement for Gyokeres.

They have made use of the Brazilian market in the past to unearth bargain gems that can be sold for huge profit, but fans this time around are expecting a near like-for-like replacement to continue competing in the Champions League.

In other words, major cash is expected to be splashed. That will not be easy when most of the best teams in Europe – including the Premier League – are on the look-out for a No.9.

As a result, Sporting will be tough negotiators in any deal made this summer, which is why they are open to sparking a mega-money bidding war alongside the Saudis.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK

Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah FC – where Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is plying his trade these days – are ready to ruffle a few feathers in the battle for Gyokeres’ signature.

Sporting will want the biggest up-front fee they can get – instead of several low-fee instalments – and Al Qadsiah are capable of offering just that, even if it means going above and beyond Gyokeres’ current value.

That is bad news for Arsenal and Man Utd, who were hoping to get a clean run at Gyokeres, yet may be forced to pay more than they would have initially planned.

Both clubs believe they are perfectly positioned to convince the Swedish superstar.

Gyokeres is believed to be leaning more towards the Gunners given their current form of competing for the Prem title and the Champions League, as well as boss Mikel Arteta’s record of improving players in the toughest division in world football.

New sporting director Berta is also a huge fan of the player. The Italian’s first task in his new role will be to get a big deal over the line quickly to prove his worth to the Arsenal board and the fans.

However, Gyokeres still has a soft spot for Ruben Amorim – his old boss at Sporting – and could be swayed regardless of United enduring one of the worst seasons in their history.

Yet with the sort of eye-watering money Saudi teams can lob into the mix, Arteta and Amorim should be wary of putting all their eggs in one Gyokeres-shaped basket.

EPA

Viktor Gyokeres is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia as well as the Premier League[/caption]

BERTA IN, BUT WHO CAME CLOSE?

ARSENAL are convinced that Berta is a game-changing recruit in their pursuit of major silverware.

The 53-year-old began work in North London on Monday as the club’s new sporting director, taking the time to meet reporters ahead of Arteta’s midweek press conference at London Colney.

He is a quiet, shy individual, but his reputation as one of the game’s best negotiators is evident following his 12-year stint at Atletico Madrid, with Arteta recently suggesting: “He’s got this personality, this charisma and this drive to win that is going to be very contagious.”

Whether it is Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, Leroy Sane or Nico Williams, this is set to be an exciting summer for Arsenal with Berta in the mix.

But what of the others? Arsenal were in talks with a number of candidates in the wake of Edu’s resignation in November, and one that piqued their interest was Bayer Leverkusen managing director of sport Simon Rofles.

The ex-German international had many admirers on the Arsenal board, playing a major role in the building of a squad that saw Xabi Alonso’s side break Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga stranglehold, winning their first ever domestic title last season.

However, Rofles, 43, who had brief roles as academy coach and sporting director at Leverkusen before taking his current position in July 2022, had no intention of leaving Germany.

SunSport understands that Rofles is incredibly happy at Leverkusen and with the progress being made under Alonso domestically and in Europe.

He has intentions of seeing out a contract that does not expire until June 2028.

Getty

Andrea Berta (left) was in the stands for the first time as Arsenal beat Fulham 2-1 on Tuesday[/caption]

TOUTING CONCERNS

THE EMIRATES is preparing for one of its biggest nights since it was opened in 2006, welcoming Real Madrid in a blockbuster Champions League quarter final first leg on Tuesday.

But with that comes security concerns, especially with the demand for tickets greater than any Arsenal game in recent memory, and the growing risk of ticket touts and illegal online third-party sales.

The Gunners’ solution has been to crack down hard on anyone found guilty of it, especially for the visit of the Galacticos, threatening fines, bans and even police involvement.

So far this season, Arsenal have cancelled more than 31,000 accounts, including 27,603 memberships, attempting to obtain tickets in unauthorised ways.

One Arsenal season ticket holder – speaking with agreed anonymity – told SunSport that while excited for the match, he is concerned about the severe delays that could be caused by ticket touts and those trying to enter the ground with fake tickets, stopping regular fans getting to their seats for kick-off.

However, the club are confident this will be avoided on Tuesday night, citing their million-pound investment to address the issues, the move to digital ticketing helping identify suspicious behaviour early.

And as is the case for every Emirates matchday, there will be undercover third-party operatives in and around the ground on the night of the game, aiming to stop in-person touting deals being done.

Getty

Arsenal will punish any fan caught selling tickets illegally[/caption]

KAI’S GARDEN PARTY

ONE Arsenal star first fell in love with football after using garden gnomes for target practice.

Kai Havertz was born in the German spa town of Aachen, near the Netherlands and Belgium border, and from a young age would spend hours kicking a ball about in his garden with his grandfather.

He would line garden gnomes up on the wall before practicing his accuracy by trying to hit them over one by one with the ball, and would not stop until they had all been wiped out.

Fast-forward almost two decades and that practice has paid off, surpassing all expectations since arriving in North London in July 2023 with 29 goals in 85 appearances in all competitions so far.

As he recovers from hamstring surgery that has him out until next season, perhaps he will go back to basics with some more ‘gnome-ball’.

Getty

Kai Havertz learned his trade by playing around gnomes in his granddad’s garden[/caption]

A ‘BREAKING BAD’ Grand National horse who’s being backed to win the world’s most famous race has links to one of Ireland’s biggest ever drugs busts.

Gavin Cromwell’s sensational stayer Stumptown was an awesome winner of the Cross Country Chase at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Sportsfile

The further the race the more he enjoys it and odds of 10-1 for the 34-runner marathon suggest he has a right chance of landing the £500,000 first-place prize.

But before he hit the big time, Stumptown was owned by a slightly different group of people.

These days, Stumptown is roared home by the Furze Bush syndicate which is made up of four men from Ireland.

But before his role in a £27million crystal meth bust, Nathan McDonnell was down as one of the co-owners.

McDonnell was previously pictured in the winner’s enclosure celebrating Stumptown’s victories – a horse he owned ten per cent of.

But that all changed in February last year when he was charged in connection with the “biggest haul of crystal meth in the history” of the state of Kerry in Ireland.

The remaining Furze Bush members rushed to put out a statement soon after his arrest which read: “He was previously a ten per cent shareholder.

“He was not an owner at the time of entry to the Ultima (a race at Cheltenham Festival).

“No prize monies have ever been redistributed to shareholders.”

McDonnell was eventually given 12 years behind bars for trafficking crystal meth.

A Special Criminal Court heard how he was going to be paid almost £150,000 by a crime gang for storing a large machine containing drugs at a garden centre.

The massive amount of drugs was then to be transported to Australia.

Ms Justice Melanie Greally said that while McDonnell might not have had direct knowledge of what was hidden inside the machine, he could “join the dots”.

The drugs were apparently linked to the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, one of the world’s biggest cartels involved in drug trafficking, money laundering and murder.

A Garda search of a property later uncovered two submachine guns and ammunition magazines.

McDonnell pleaded guilty to helping a gang import drugs – his counsel, Michael Bowman SC, said before sentencing his client had been beaten up in prison and needed surgery on his face.

The garden centre owner pleaded guilty to importing methamphetamine, on October 16th, 2023, at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to 2019.

He also pleaded guilty to being involved in, or contributing to, with knowledge of a criminal organisation, the importation and supply of a controlled drug between dates in October 2023 and February 2024.

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Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.

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Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

DAY TWO of Aintree is rolling on at speed with the Topham Chase UP NEXT.

Sun Racing brings you how every horse finished in the 4.05pm at Aintree.

PA

The Topham Chase is underway[/caption]

4.05 Aintree results

Full results and horse placing to follow…

Full Aintree Grand National Festival TV schedule and race times

Thursday, April 3

All times BST

1:45pm: Manifesto Novices’ Chase (WINNER: IMPAIRE ET PASSE)
2:20pm: Juvenile Hurdle (WINNER: MURCIA)
2:55pm: Aintree Bowl (WINNER: GAELIC WARRIOR)
3:30pm: Aintree Hurdle (WINNER: LOSSIEMOUTH)
4:05pm: Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase (WINNER: GRACCUS DE BALME)
4:40pm: Red Rum Handicap Chase (WINNER: SANUS BRUIT)
5:15pm: Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (WINNER: SEO LINN)

Friday, April 4

1:45pm: Mildmay Novices’ Chase (WINNER: CALDWELL POTTER)
2:20pm: William Hill Handicap Hurdle (WINNER: WELLINGTON ARCH)
2:55pm: Top Novices’ Hurdle (WINNER: SALVATOR MUNDI)
3:30pm: Melling Chase (WINNER: JONBON)
4:05pm: Topham Handicap Chase (ITV)
4:40pm: Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (ITV)
5:15pm: Hallgarten and Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle (Racing TV)

Saturday, April 5

1:20pm: William Hill Handicap Hurdle (ITV)
1:55pm: Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (ITV)
2:30pm: Freebooter Handicap Chase (ITV)
3:05pm: Liverpool Hurdle (ITV)
4pm: Grand National (ITV)
5pm: Maghull Novices’ Chase (Racing TV)
5:35pm: Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Racing TV)

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware – GambleAware.org

Read our guide on responsible gambling practices.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

THOUSANDS of NHS workers face losing out on £1,000s after a massive pensions blunder.

The NHS Business Authority, which manages workers’ pensions, missed a key deadline, resulting in around 14,600 doctors not being able to plan their pensions, The Sun has learned.

PA

It needed to have issued statements to workers by April 1, the statutory deadline.

These statements, known as “remedial service statements” and “remedial pension savings statements”, show workers the value of their pensions and any benefits they have.

For example, the statements outline whether doctors have any “annual allowance” – the amount you can contribute tax-free to a pension each year (currently £60,000) – left to use.

If you have leftover annual allowance from the past three years, you can use a scheme called “carry forward” to use it in the current tax year instead – but you need to know in order to make that choice.

By missing the deadline, thousands of doctors have been left in limbo and unable to make crucial choices about their pensions, which could leave them out of pocket down the line.

Around 14,646 GPs and consultants could potentially be impacted by the delays, according to a letter sent to City minister Emma Reynolds by Quilter, seen by The Sun.

Graham Crossley, NHS pensions expert at Quilter, explained in the letter: “The delays have led to missed opportunities for members to make informed pension contributions.

“Without timely access to their [statements] many individuals have been unable to determine their carry forward position.

“As a result, some have hesitated to contribute to their pensions—only to later discover they had unused annual allowance that could have been used.

“In cases where that unused allowance dates back three tax years, the window to utilise it has now permanently closed.”

He added that doctors could end up paying unnecessary extra tax because of the delays, further leaving them short of money.

This is because a technical document called a Transitional Tax-Free Amount Certificate, which accurately determines how much tax-free benefits you have taken.

Without this, doctors may end up paying extra tax when they didn’t need to.

Given senior NHS consultants typically earn up to £131,964, according to the NHS website, the losses could be in the thousands of pounds.

Mr Crossley told The Sun: “We are disappointed in the delays surrounding the delivery of remediable service statements for affected NHS Pension Scheme members.

“These delays have made financial planning difficult for many individuals, the uncertainty has led to missed opportunities to use full allowances, and these opportunities are lost unless the government introduces exceptional measures, such as extending carry forward rules to five years instead of three.”

What is the issue with NHS pensions?

Around 2015, the government reformed public sector pension schemes to move them from being so-called “final salary” schemes to what are known as “career average” schemes.

Public sector pensions are typically “defined benefit” schemes, which means they guarantee workers a fixed income in retirement based on the length of their service and their salary.

The reforms aimed to reduce costs, making the schemes “better balance the interests of public service workers, employers and taxpayers.”

But when the changes were made, they provided “transitional protections” which allowed savers who were closer to retirement age to remain in the previous “legacy” schemes rather than move to the new ones.

However, a landmark court judgement in 2018, known as the McCloud judgement, found that this was age discrimination, and a remedy was brought in for the period of discrimination for younger doctors.

This set out that savers would get a choice of pension benefits for the affected period, and they would get a statement explaining how each choice would affect their pensions.

This meant they could decide how they wanted their pension-related protections and benefits to be applied.

The legislation requires that a “statement” is provided to each affected member on or before 1 April 2025, or as reasonably close as possible.

This is the deadline that has been missed, meaning many affected doctors have not got the information they need to make informed decisions about their pensions.

As a result, they could face extra tax liabilities or a loss of money in retirement as the uncertainty means they haven’t topped up their pensions or used their pension annual allowance.

In a written statement to parliament last month, Ms Karin Smyth set out new deadlines from between July and October for receiving these statements.

She said: “The production of remediable service statements involves a complex and challenging programme of work.

“Technical complexities, some of which extend beyond the NHS Pension Scheme, have affected delivery timelines for statements.”

Since, she has insisted that the government will compensate anyone who directly loses out financially as a result of the delays.

“The government do acknowledge the impact of the delays on affected members. We are working hard to issue outstanding statements and to protect members from any financial detriment the delays may cause.”

What’s next and what to do if you’re affected

The government has said it is considering compensating anyone adversely affected by the delays, but experts have warned it may be difficult to know the damage until later.

Mr Crossley has urged the government to consider “urgent measures” to minimise the impact.

“We urge the government to consider urgent measures, including extending the carry forward rules and providing immediate remediable service statements for those needing transitional tax-free amount certificates,” he said.

“These steps are crucial to ensure that affected members can make informed decisions about their pension benefits without further delays.”

For anyone affected, contact the NHS Business Authority for an update on when you will get your statement and whether you can get any compensation if you are financially affected by the delay.

Consider speaking to a financial adviser if you need technical help with your pension. These are professional experts who can ensure you’re in the best position possible.

Other major pension errors

Pensions are often affected by administrative errors that can have devastating effects on savers’ finances.

The the DWP is currently grappling with several underpayment issues relating to the state pension.

Thousands of women were recently warned they could be missing out on thousands of pounds in their pension pot due to a “common error” from their employers relating to maternity leave pay.

And last year we exposed how a landmark court case had found a number of employers did not get changes to their pensions signed off when they should have, potentially resulting in workers losing out in retirement.

We also revealed a plot to track down thousands of savers who lost a protected benefit known as a Protected Pension Age unwittingly after a blunder by schemes.

If you are unhappy with your treatment by your pension provider, you may be able to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

Speak to your provider first and make a formal complaint, and then if you cannot reach an agreement, escalate it to the FOS.

Visit: financial-ombudsman.org.uk/make-complaint to get started.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

DREAM TEAM brings you all the latest injury, suspension and availability news for Gameweek 30 in one convenient location.

Gabriel has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and is due to undergo surgery on his hamstring after limping off against Fulham in the week.

Dream Team

Gabriel will be a big miss for Arsenal[/caption]

The Arsenal centre-back currently ranks fifth among defenders and still appears in 12.8% of teams at the time of writing.

The Gunners have other problems at the back with Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu still sidelined.

Mikel Arteta and his team will make late decisions on Jurrien Timber and Ben White – both are considered doubts at this stage.

As for Arsenal’s weekend opponents, long-term absentee Dwight McNeil could be included in Everton’s squad having returned to training this week.

Iliman Ndiaye made his comeback as a substitute against Liverpool last time out.

Erling Haaland, one of just three players to have earned 300+ points this season, is estimated to be out for between five and seven weeks with an ankle injury.

REX

Haaland faces a spell on the sidelines[/caption]

Manchester City’s No9 is by far and away the most transferred-out player ahead of the deadline but such was his immense popularity, he remains the third-most selected player at present!

Abdukodir Khusanov was absent from the squad against Leicester in Gameweek 29 but the Uzbek defender was merely rested.

Ange Postecoglou confirmed that Micky van de Ven suffered cramp and nothing more serious in the final moments of Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea on Thursday.

Richarlison has a chance of making the matchday squad when Spurs host Southampton on Sunday but key player Dejan Kulusevski is still not ready to return.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola told reporters that it will be “difficult” for Justin Kluivert to make the trip to West Ham this weekend.

The Dutch midfielder’s ownership was close to 20% before his setback but has now halved as a result.

Alamy

Kluivert is one of several popular Dream Team assets deemed unavailable for Gameweek 30[/caption]

Eddie Howe was characteristically vague when discussing the condition of Alexander Isak and Kieran Trippier.

Speaking in his morning press conference, the Newcastle coach said: “I will see them for the first time today. We don’t think we have any big injuries from Wednesday night, but we have a few niggles.”

The Swedish striker was substituted in midweek due to a groin complaint.

Anthony Gordon is no longer suspended but he is a major doubt having not trained with his team-mates since withdrawing from the England squad during the international break.

Only two defenders average more points-per-game than Ola Aina this season but the Nottingham Forest right-back will be unavailable “for a while” having incurred a calf injury.

Callum Hudson-Odoi is available to face Aston Villa but Chris Wood faces a late assessment and therefore remains a major doubt.

Getty

Isak’s groin troubled him against Brentford[/caption]

Arne Slot confirmed that Alisson will return in goal for Liverpool as soon as the Brazilian satisfies the concussion protocols.

Kobbie Mainoo may return in some capacity for Manchester United in Gameweek 30 but Ruben Amorim ruled out a start for the teenager in Sunday’s derby.

Matthijs de Ligt is a doubt for the Red Devils.

ARSENAL

Injuries: Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber (doubt), Ben White (doubt)

Suspensions: None

ASTON VILLA

Injuries: Ross Barkley (doubt), Leon Bailey

Suspensions: None

BOURNEMOUTH

Injuries: Enes Unal, Luis Sinisterra, Justin Kluivert (doubt), Marcus Tavernier

Suspensions: None

BRENTFORD

Injuries: Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Gustavo Nunes, Igor Thiago, Rico Henry (doubt), Fabio Carvalho, Mathias Jensen (doubt)

Suspensions: None

BRIGHTON

Injuries: James Milner, Ferdi Kadioglu, Jason Steele, Igor Julio, Georginio Rutter, Adam Webster, Tariq Lamptey, Joel Veltman

Suspensions: None

CHELSEA

Injuries: Marc Guiu (doubt), Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana

Suspensions: Mykhailo Mudryk

CRYSTAL PALACE

Injuries: Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad, Chris Richards (doubt)

Suspensions: None

EVERTON

Injuries: Dwight McNeil (doubt), Orel Mangala, Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Suspensions: None

FULHAM

Injuries: Kenny Tete, Reiss Nelson, Harry Wilson

Suspensions: None

IPSWICH

Injuries: Chiedozie Ogbene, Wes Burns, Sammie Szmodics, Omari Hutchinson (doubt), Leif Davis (doubt)

Suspensions: None

LEICESTER

Injuries: Abdul Fatawu

Suspensions: None

LIVERPOOL

Injuries: Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley (doubt), Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson (doubt)

Suspensions: None

MANCHESTER CITY

Injuries: Rodri, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Erling Haaland

Suspensions: None

MANCHESTER UNITED

Injuries: Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Ayden Heaven

Suspensions: None

NEWCASTLE

Injuries: Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, Kieran Trippier (doubt), Alexander Isak (doubt), Anthony Gordon (doubt)

Suspensions: Anthony Gordon

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Injuries: Chris Wood (doubt), Ola Aina

Suspensions: None

SOUTHAMPTON

Injuries: Ross Stewart (doubt), Juan Larios (doubt), Will Smallbone, Ryan Manning, Lesley Ugochukwu (doubt), Paul Onuachu (doubt)

Suspensions: Flynn Downes

TOTTENHAM

Injuries: Radu Dragusin, Richarlison (doubt), Dejan Kulusevski, Kevin Danso

Suspensions: None

WEST HAM

Injuries: Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus (doubt), Crysencio Summerville

Suspensions: None

WOLVES

Injuries: Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Yerson Mosquera, Leon Chiwone

Suspensions: Matheus Cunha

CORONATION Street fans will be fuming as the soap is yanked from schedules yet again tonight – thanks to another ITV shake-up.

The long-running drama is facing yet another disruption, leaving viewers wondering when they’ll get their next fix of Weatherfield drama.

ITV

The ITV soap has been moved from it’s usual Friday slot[/caption]

Getty

The UEFA’s Women’s Nations League will air on Friday at 7:30pm instead of Coronation Street[/caption]

Tonight will see sports coverage take priority over soaps yet again as ITV broadcasts the UEFA’s Women’s Nations League at 7:30pm.

The match is between England’s Lionesses and Belgium, with coverage going on until 10.20pm.

This means the ITV News at 10 has been pushed back by 20 minutes.

The one-hour long episode of Coronation Street that should have aired tonight aired yesterday, Thursday April 3 instead.

This week on the cobbles, Dee-Dee Bailey went into labour before getting life-changing news, Kevin Webster started chemo and Jenny Connor was catfished by someone close to her.

Meanwhile, Corrie icon Sue Cleaver has filmed her final scenes.

The actress – who plays Eileen Grimshaw in the ITV soap – told bosses she wanted to leave last year and the time has now come.

Bosses brought back Eileen’s sister Julie Carp for her emotional exit storyline with Julie revealing she has terminal cancer.

The heartbreaking loss of her sister will no doubt see Eileen question her life on the cobbles.

Actress Sue opened up about her decision to leave Weatherfild, saying: “I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street.

“The door is still firmly open but as I reached my 60th year, I decided it was time to embrace change, look for new adventures and live fearlessly.”

A telly source said: “Sue has adored her time on Corrie, and sees the cast and crew as her family, but realised that if she wanted to try new projects then she needed to do it now.

“She spoke to bosses last summer, shortly after her stint on Sister Act, about her decision to explore new roles, which gave writers plenty of time to create a strong exit storyline for her, which viewers will love.”

Corrie’s new boss Kate Brooks said: “We’re sad to bid farewell to the wonderful Sue Cleaver.

Over the past 25 years, Eileen Grimshaw has been at the heart of some of the most memorable and iconic Corrie storylines, and her on-screen rivalry with Gail Platt will undoubtedly go down in Corrie folklore.

“There’s certainly no one quite like Eileen, and her character will be hugely missed on the Cobbles.

“We wish Sue all the very best as she embarks on her next exciting chapter.”

The Sun exclusively revealed how Sue’s on-screen son Ryan Thomas made a brief return for her exit storyline.

Ryan began filming earlier this month for his short stint and was on set today for Sue’s swansong.

A source said: “It’s a huge deal for Sue and the show. She’s been an iconic part of the cobbles for a quarter of a century so saying goodbye will be emotional for everyone.”

Rex

Sue Cleaver has filmed her emotional Coronation Street goodbye[/caption]

ITV

Bosses brought back Eileen’s sister Julie Carp for the heartbreaking goodbye[/caption]

Rex

TAYLOR Ward first appeared on reality TV alongside her famous mum Dawn on the Real Housewives of Cheshire.

The stunning model has since starred in Amazon Prime’s Married to the Game docuseries, which follows the lives of families of Premier League stars, with her pro footballer husband Riyad Mahrez.

Who is Taylor Ward?

Born January 28, 1998, Taylor Ward is the daughter of Real Housewives of Cheshire stars Dawn and ex-footballer Ashley Ward.

She is a model, influencer and reality TV personality.

She has appeared several times on her mum’s TV show – which has led to comparisons the Wards are the British version of the Kardashians.

The stunning model studied a degree in fashion and also boasts 2.8million Instagram followers.

On her Insta page, she promotes beauty products and shows off her high-end tastes – including her £700 Gucci trainers, holidays to Dubai and Ibiza and friendships with reality stars including Made In Chelsea star Emily Blackwell.

Instagram

Taylor grew up alongside sisters Darby, Charlie and Aston in £15m mansion Warford Hall, near affluent Alderley Edge, which features eleven bedrooms, a swimming pool, cinema room and 12.5 acres.

She attended the prestigious £35k-a-year Rugby School, and in 2016 revealed that her parents had already bought her a £24,000 Mercedes Benz before she’d even passed her driving test.

In 2017, Taylor and sister Darby caused controversy among Real Housewives viewers when they revealed in an episode their plans to have boob jobs – and which led to the latter appearing on Loose Women to defend her decision to go under the knife aged 21.

INSTAGRAM/TAYLOR WARD

How long has Taylor Ward been with Riyad Mahrez?

Saudi Pro League winger Riyad Mahrez and Taylor Ward met in 2020 on the street in Manchester and quickly fell in love.

They got engaged on June 21, 2021.

The couple were holidaying in Mykonos, Greece, alongside her parents, and Riyad proposed after lunch with a £400,000 ring he had custom made.

A source said about the engagement: “Taylor was not expecting this at all, and was utterly over the moon.

“She and Riyad make an amazing couple, and they’re so loved-up.

“Riyad chose the ring himself and had it specially made.

“There was a massive, champagne-fuelled celebration party afterwards.”

The pair tied the knot in a secret traditional Islamic Nikah ceremony in 2022.

The happy couple welcomed their daughter, Mila, in July 2022.

They bought a new £2million mansion in Cheshire in early 2021.

In July 2023, Riyad transferred to Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League for a fee of £30 million, ending his five-year spell at Man City.

Mahrez and Taylor exchanged their vows for a second time in September, 2023.

The pair then wed for a third time in the romantic setting of Lake Como in July 2024.

They currently live in Saudi Arabia, flaunting their luxurious lifestyle on social media.

Taylor was previously romantically linked to Riyad’s team-mate Sergio Aguero.

Taylor has also dated Ex On The Beach star Sam Reece,  shortly after he split from Stephanie Davis.

The pair’s relationship was highlighted on one episode of the show, where he was invited to lunch with her parents but the short romance came to an end swiftly after the programme aired.

 

MOVE over Mediterranean diet – there’s a new eating plan that’s better at driving away disease.

The traditional diet has been “severely underrepresented” in research – but now scientists say it could ward off cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and even some cancers.

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African diets rich in vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, and fermented foods could slash risk of disease, scientists said[/caption]

Mediterranean food – in which olive oil, fruit and veg and wholegrains feature heavily – is constantly cited by experts as one of the healthiest eating regimens to follow.

Studies link the diet to smaller waistlines, a reduced risk of diabetes, stroke and cancer and better odds of living longer.

But new research suggests that African cuisine – rich in vegetables, legumes, ancient grains and fermented foods – could be equally protective.

A study, published in Nature Medicine, found that shifting to a diet typical of what’s eaten in the East African country of Tanzania for just two weeks dramatically reduced inflammation in the body.

Researchers reckoned the ‘African diet’ may also lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes and diabetes – as proteins in the blood linked to these conditions also fell.

It comes as Western eating habits are increasingly adopted across Africa, coinciding with a surge of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic inflammatory conditions, according to scientists from the Radbound University Medical Centre and KCMC University in Tanzania.

Dr Quirijn de Mast, an associate professor in global health at Radboud University in Nijmegen, said: “Previous research has focused on other traditional diets, such as the Japanese or Mediterranean diet.

“However, there is just as much to learn from traditional African diets, especially now, as lifestyles in many African regions are rapidly changing and lifestyle diseases are increasing.

“Africa’s rich diversity in traditional diets offers unique opportunities to gain valuable insights into how food influences health.”

Researchers recruited 77 healthy men from North Eastern Tanzania, who either lived in the rural village of Uru Shimbwe Juu and followed a traditional diet or the nearby town of Moshi and followed a Western-style diet.

Twenty-two participants who tended to follow an African diet switched to a Western diet for two weeks, chowing down on bread and butter and milky tea for breakfast, pizza or eggs and chips for lunch and roast beef and mash for dinner.

Meanwhile, 22 men who ate a Western diet adopted a traditional African diet.

It included black tea and boiled cassava or millet porridge for brekkie, maize or rice with beans for lunch, and fish and veggies for dinner.

“The African diet includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, and fermented foods,” Dr de Mast said.

Nature Medicine

Western and African style meals participants ate during the study[/caption]

A further 22 were also asked to drink Mbege, a traditional fermented banana drink, for a week.

Men who maintained their western-style and African-style diets were also included as controls.

Researchers analysed how the men’s immune systems were working, and tracked blood proteins related to inflammation and metabolism at the start of the study, after the two-week intervention, and again four weeks later.

They found that men who switched to a Western diet had increased levels inflammatory proteins in their blood and their immune cells responded less effectively to pathogens.

Meanwhile, those who switched to a traditional African diet or consumed the fermented drink had reduced inflammatory markers.

Some of these effects persisted even four weeks later, indicating that short-term dietary changes can have long-lasting effects.

Dr de Mast said: “Our study highlights the benefits of traditional [African] food products for inflammation and metabolic processes in the body.

“At the same time, we show how harmful an unhealthy Western diet can be.

“It typically consists of processed and high-calorie foods, such as French fries and white bread, with excessive salt, refined sugars, and saturated fats.

“Inflammation is at the root of many chronic conditions, which makes this study highly relevant for Western countries as well.”

Researchers wrote that plant-based diets and fermented foods “are increasingly recognised for their beneficial immune and metabolic effects”.

Meanwhile, heavily processed and high-calorie foods typical of Western-style diets “drive metabolic dysfunction, systemic inflammation and long-term immune cell reprogramming”.

Research has previously linked higher levels of inflammation with an increased risk of diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and even some cancers.

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