Bill for failure

THE staggering sum the BBC has blown investigating Huw Edwards rubs yet more salt in the wounds of the despairing public still forced to fund it.

The Jimmy Savile aftermath cost it £5million. Another £3.3million went on the alleged predatory behaviour of ex-DJ Tim Westwood.

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The BBC’s huge spend on the Huw Edwards probe and countless other scandals adds insult to injury for licence fee payers[/caption]

Its catastrophic recent Gaza documentary — thinly disguised Hamas propaganda — will doubtless cost it another fortune.

And now probing Edwards has swallowed another 8,076 licence fees.

Scandal after scandal after scandal.

Each time, eye-wateringly expensive consultants and lawyers are hired, seemingly to cover BBC backsides rather than get answers for victims.

Such profligacy is the result of giving a broadcaster nearly £4billion a year.

Chairman Samir Shah naturally sees little wrong with this ancient and unfair levy. His only gripe is that better-off families should pay even MORE.

Why? So the BBC has millions extra to probe the next pervert among its “talent”?

Legal weasels

THE crunch has come. We are about to find out whether we are run by elected politicians or unaccountable liberal judges.

A new sentencing regime the judiciary intends to impose will formally establish two-tier justice, with preferential (more lenient) treatment to criminals from ethnic, religious and gender minorities.

Horrified Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood says: “As someone from an ethnic minority background, I do not stand for differential treatment before the law.”

Good on her. But the judges couldn’t care less. Nor do they recognise she has any authority over them.

They are guilty yet again of monstrous overreach.

What they intend is manifestly unfair, repugnant to the public and fraught with danger. It cannot stand.

Ms Mahmood will have to follow through rapidly on her threat to legislate to curb the Sentencing Council.

The Sun will be right behind you, Shabana.

Vital surgery

FOR years we have railed against the top-heavy NHS. Too many useless managers, too few doctors and nurses.

So three cheers for Wes Streeting slashing staff at the vastly bloated NHS England quango and within his department.

The Health Secretary knows the service must do more with less.

Diversity and inclusion vacancies are indefensible given the finances too, Wes.

These job losses are bound to trigger the same rage among some Labour MPs as the welfare cuts which are now vital.

The party is divided into those who preferred opposition, where their principles never needed to be tested against reality, and those tasked with governing.

The latter have realised that, as Maggie Thatcher said, the facts of life are conservative. Especially if the country is skint.

EDDIE HOWE has something to smile about at last.

A win to lift the Newcastle spirits ahead of what could be a week for the ages on Tyneside.

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Michail Antonio returned to the London Stadium for the first time since his December car accident[/caption]

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Bruno Guimaraes reacted quickest to give Toon a deserved second half lead[/caption]

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The Brazilian’s goal was his first since January 18[/caption]

Reuters

The win moves Newcastle to within just two points of Chelsea in fourth[/caption]

After losing a trio of stars to injury and suspension as well as being dumped out of the FA Cup, a little bit of confidence was returned to the Magpies as Bruno Guimaraes claimed three points at West Ham.

The Toon were far from their best and will have to show far more to down Liverpool at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final.

But they controlled West Ham for the most part, rode out some rough patches and found their way through to move sixth – level on points with Manchester City in those precious Champions League places.

All without the injured Sven Botman and Lewis Hall – and also lacking the pace and precision of Anthony Gordon, suspended for tonight and the final.

Howe, looking to avoid a third straight defeat in all competitions and gain some confidence ahead of the weekend, took the risk of starting Alexander Isak up top.

The Swede was quiet and looked a little off the pace – but he survived any injury scares ahead of the weekend.

There has been natural concern on Tyneside about players’ minds drifting to Sunday over the past couple of weeks.

The Toon have not quite looked themselves since reaching the final as Howe battles to correct patchy performances.

Cheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets

It is a well-worn cliché rolled out by players that they only focus on the next game.

This side looks like they have been playing with Sunday’s showdown on their minds ever since the semi-final.

Potter, the only other English coach in the Premier League, has had his own problems but was able to welcome Lucas Paqueta back to the squad earlier than expected after his ankle injury.

The Brazilian, though, was only named on the bench as the Hammers boss stuck with the eleven which had won the last two games.

Potter had challenged his side to get the home fans invested and fired up for a game under the lights.

And they certainly raised the roof when welcoming back Michail Antonio to the London Stadium for the first time since his horrific car crash last year.

They could have had the start which would have delivered just that had Tomas Soucek not fired well over the bar from Mohammed Kudus’ cross inside the first minute.

The Hammers had the better chances but neither team looked dangerous across a fiddly first half.

Jarrod Bowen managed to wriggle into the box but fired a tame low effort straight at Nick Pope, before Kudus also saw a pot-shot stopped from range.

Even with Isak back, Newcastle looked out of sorts going forwards.

Harvey Barnes, bidding to keep his place for the final, had a couple of half chances but could not convert.

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Harvey Barnes went closest for Toon in a tepid first half[/caption]

Potter has improved West Ham’s defensive record since replacing Julen Lopetegui, but they were hardly being stretched to their limits by the visitors.

Despite being solid, the hosts were struggling to apply pressure or create anything clear cut.

Kudus passed up a golden chance on the break but struggled to control the ball and got in the way when Bowen had a crack with the loose ball.

West Ham’s two forwards found more gaps after the break, with Kudus causing particular trouble.

They looked dangerous but, with their two fit strikers on the bench, were lacking the support to be truly dangerous.

Newcastle had hardly come flying out the box, but finally found something to get them going.

Alphonse Areola had to make an acrobatic stop after Jacob Murphy’s cross was almost sent looping into the Hammers goal by Max Kilman – though it may not have survived an offside check.

Two minutes later, there was a Newcastle shirt ready to meet the cross and put them ahead.

Having seen an initial effort blocked, Barnes collected the rebound and clipped a smart cross into the six yard box where Guimaraes slipped his markers and prodded home.

Potter responded with a triple change before, a few minutes later, also sending January signing Evan Ferguson on.

Sub Paqueta lifted a ball over for Bowen, who was sent tumbling by goalscorer Guimaraes.

There were cries for a Hammers penalty, but there was nowhere near enough contact.

While they had shown a flash of attacking intent there, the Toon goal seemed to knock West Ham flat.

They are not going down but nor are they in the mix for anything exciting further up, meaning this could be a rather meandering end to the season.

Sitting 16th but also 16 points clear of trouble, Potter has the time to experiment and find out which players are worth keeping hold of in the summer.

Valuable time for a manager – not very exciting to watch if you are paying for a ticket.

THIS year marks two centuries of rail travel in the UK – and with a government report last week unveiling the worst stations for delays, all eyes are on our railways.

Luckily, some of the country’s stations are so pretty you wouldn’t mind getting stranded at them if your train was cancelled.

From 19th-century buildings in the countryside to tiny platforms with views of a castle, Sophie Swietochowski picks out her favourites and looks at where you can stay nearby.

CORFE CASTLE, DORSET

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Corfe Castle station is tiny and charming with only two platforms overlooked by a footbridge and rolling green fields[/caption]

AS the name would suggest, Corfe Castle station sits at the foot of a hill and a small castle, buried deep in Dorset countryside.

It’s tiny and charming with only two platforms overlooked by a footbridge and rolling green fields.

There’s also the dinky Swanage Railway Museum next door, which opens later in the year, as well as a converted carriage selling a range of second-hand books.

STAY: Spend a week in the quaint Rempstone Farmhouse, a five- minute drive away, which has room for six people in the cosy-yet- spacious property — it also features two log burners.

Seven nights’ self-catering is from £182.67pp. See sykescottages.co.uk.

CROMFORD, DERBYSHIRE

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Grade II-listed Cromford station has a characterful station house standing proud in front of the metal footbridge[/caption]

YOU may recognise the Grade II-listed Cromford station from the cover of Oasis’s 1995 hit single, Some Might Say, with its characterful station house standing proud in front of the metal footbridge.

It dates back to 1849 and has now fully blended with its rural surroundings with moss and shrubs weaving through the brickwork.

STAY: The rustic two-person Stable Cottage mirrors the charm of the station, all wonky brickwork, but modern on the inside.

Seven nights’ self-catering is from £266pp, based on two sharing. See sykescottages.co.uk.

WEMYSS BAY, RENFREWSHIRE

BUILT in 1865 and tucked away in a teeny village on the western coast of Scotland, Wemyss Bay must be one of the most fascinating pieces of architecture in the country.

A huge circular structure sits at its centre with a steel roof, while a traditional pier runs alongside the building, jutting out into a blustery ocean. Ferry passengers can hop off the water straight on to a train.

STAY: Serenity Lodge is about as close to the station as you could get, sleeping six in three modern bedrooms and with a wooden ­terrace overlooking the water.

Seven nights’ self-catering costs from £444 in total. For details see sykescottages.co.uk.

ST PANCRAS, LONDON

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The red-brick exterior is a contrast to the semi-modern interior at St Pancras station[/caption]

STRIKES and weather delays have left me with time to kill at St Pancras on my frequent commutes.

Fortunately there’s plenty going on within the station walls to help while away the hours, from chic shops to classy restaurants and Searcys champagne bar.

It’s a stunning building, too. The red-brick exterior is a contrast to the semi-modern interior, which is the result of an £800million refurbishment unveiled by the late Queen in 2007.

STAY: Push the boat out and spend the night in the fancy St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, attached to the station, which has deluxe double rooms from £280 per night. See marriott.com.

RIBBLEHEAD, NORTH YORKS

BURIED among swathes of greenery and craggy grass hills is Ribblehead Station with a name as quirky as its design.

It was previously named Batty Green station, when it opened in the mid 1800s.

The vast open landscape opposite means it could easily win an award for the station with the best views, too.

STAY: It would be foolish not to check in to The Station Inn while you are in this neck of the woods.

Six of the nine rooms and bunkhouses are dog-friendly and each is named after the nearby camps that housed construction labourers working on the nearby viaduct.

Rooms cost from £110 with breakfast. For further details see thestationinnribblehead.com.

DAWLISH STATION, DEVON

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Dawlish station bears no resemblance to the chaotic stations we see in most UK cities today[/caption]

OVERLOOKING the breathtaking Devon coast and built in 1846, Dawlish station bears no resemblance to the chaotic stations we see in most UK cities today.

The building itself isn’t remarkable, but its location sure is.

Take a train journey from here to one of the nearby towns, to enjoy unbeatable views as the winding track follows the coastline.

Just make sure you grab a window seat!

STAY: For equally exceptional views, stay at the two-person St Julien apartment which has floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sea.

Seven nights’ self-catering costs from £380pp, based on two people sharing. See sykescottages.co.uk.

DEAR DEIDRE: FINALLY getting my teenage crush into bed was everything I wanted it to be – the trouble was I already had a girlfriend.

I’m a man of 31 and I was in a long-term relationship with a lovely woman I met at work.

She’s 28 and we are in the same sales department.

We had been dating for a year and I was about to move into her flat, but there’s no chance of that now.

When I was a teenager, I was infatuated with a girl on my college course.

She was pretty and popular but, at the age of 18, I never had the courage to even speak to her.

Fast forward to three months ago and I was on an external training course for work.

I couldn’t believe it when I got there and found out my crush was on the course too.

During the break, I went over to her and she recognised me.

She’s 30 now. We chatted about work and what we were doing now.

We had our lunch together later. All those feelings came flooding back for me.

That evening after dinner, I walked her up to her room and I took my chances and kissed her.

It felt electric and then it felt natural to go into her room. We had sex and I kept having a “pinch me” moment.

But the next morning, I felt so guilty. I didn’t have the heart to tell my girlfriend I had cheated, so I simply ended our relationship when I got home.

She’s heartbroken. She doesn’t understand and wants to try again.

I’ve been seeing the girl from my teenage years for a month now but feel bad about how I treated my ex.

DEIDRE SAYS: It’s normal to have mixed emotions when a relationship ends but you can’t have it both ways.

You have moved on very quickly. Let’s hope this new relationship is the stuff dreams are made of, because right now, it’s nothing more than lust.

Cheating on your ex was wrong but it’s done now. Rather than simply cutting your ex out, she deserves an explanation.

Tell her that your feelings changed but it was absolutely no reflection on her.

My support pack, Ending A Relationship, explains how to let somebody go in the kindest way possible.

BULLY EX HAS HOLD OVER ME

DEAR DEIDRE: IT took a while but I finally managed to kick out my abusive partner. However, I still feel tied to him.

He won’t let me move on with my life.

I’m now a 34-year-old single mum to our daughter, who is five. My ex-partner is 40 and he used to pinch and scratch me.

If we had a row he would practically push me out of the car and make me walk home.

When he held me around the throat up against the wall, that was the last straw and I screamed at him to leave.

He still sees our daughter but he has told me that if I find a new relationship, he’ll never see our little girl again.

I feel like I’ll never be happy.

DEIDRE SAYS: You’ve been brave enough to stand up for yourself, but the abuse continues.

You have a right to a peaceful life but this bully still has a hold over you.

He’s using your daughter as a pawn in order to control you.

If he’s prone to bouts of temper, you need to be careful.

Your safety and that of your child has to be your priority, so discuss whether still seeing this man is wise by talking to a counsellor at The National Domestic Abuse Helpline (nationaldahelpline.org.uk, 0808 2000 247).

LOSS OF JOB HAS HIT HIM FOR SIX

DEAR DEIDRE: MY boyfriend behaves as if there’s a big black cloud hanging over him because he lost his job.

He has completely lost his va-va-voom. He was working for a printing company but they have had to make cuts since the government made it more expensive for small businesses to function.

Now all he does is mope around. Despite having a degree, he is not even applying for jobs.

He’s 29 and I’m 27. He lives with me and my two boys from a previous relationship. He’s a great stepdad to them both.

My boyfriend would love more children and we had agreed on that.

To keep our heads above water I’m working long hours and, when the boys were squabbling, I said to my boyfriend that I couldn’t cope with having another child.

When I cooled down, I told him that I didn’t mean it but he had really taken it to heart.

Now he sees no future for anything and thinks he won’t work again or be the family man that he wants to be. How can I encourage him that it’s not all as bleak as it seems?

DEIDRE SAYS: He is taking his redundancy personally and grieving that lost job.

Now he is coping with dented pride too. He has good family values and he wants to be able to provide.

When you announced you didn’t want any more children, this was another dream gone in his eyes.

Although you have said that you didn’t mean it, he’s not hearing you. He feels a failure.

In a quiet moment, encourage him to check out Mind (mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393) which has a section on its website about helping people to navigate redundancy.

Explain that this is a bump in the road and he should look at it as an opportunity to decide if he wants to find a different career path.

Doing some voluntary work will help him feel a sense of purpose.

There is more information in my support pack Help For Jobhunters.

She is leaving the show after six years.

Four generations of Anne Gandy's family were there.

'Some are not good enough.'

He has a massive phobia of snakes too

This makes so much sense now

YouTube star CoryxKenshin has taken yet another unannounced hiatus, leaving fans desperate for news and more content.