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CORONATION Street star Claire Sweeney has revealed that Cassie Plummer’s manipulation of Ken Barlow has only just begun.

The TV icon, who plays evil Cassie on the ITV soap, has been slowly poisoning resident favourite Ken in a dark new storyline.

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Cassie is set for some explosive scenes with Ken’s daughter Tracy Barlow[/caption]

Claire, 53, said her character has filmed some explosive scenes with arch nemesis and Ken’s daughter Tracy Barlow.

She also teased that Cassie’s evil plan has only just started and said it will play out for the next few months.

Speaking exclusively to the Sun, Claire revealed: “Cassie manages to talk herself out of so many situations. She doesn’t want to hurt Ken, she’s just keeping him sleepy so he needs her.

“She just wants him to need her, Ken is the first person who sees her and gives her time and teaches her things – it’s like in Pygmalion, My Fair Lady type of relationship, where within the house she’s got the romance with Steve McDonald, she’s got the banter with Tracy and she suddenly feels part of something.”

Claire said she has filmed her scenes for the next six weeks and so far Cassie has not been exposed.

Clare said: “With all these characters there’s got to be some sort of redemption arch but I wouldn’t want her to be a goody two shoes.

“I enjoy that naughtiness, poisoning a national treasure is going a bit too far but I love the way they’re writing it.

“They’re writing it from a place of vulnerability that she needs him, it’s not just being evil – there is a reason behind it.

““I’ve got some great scenes with Tracy Barlow, absolutely brilliant.”

But Cassie is skating on thin ice, with Claire saying that Ken could be the one to catch her out.

“Ken Barlow is a clever man, don’t underestimate him, I think he’ll understand her if she does,” she went on to say.

“I don’t know yet myself because we’re still on that journey.

“We’re six weeks in advance filming, almost two months and they’ve still not found out about Cassie.”

Speaking in a Q&A after the scenes of her poisoning poor Ken have aired on Coronation Street, Claire explained that it might not be as malicious as it seems.

She said: “She feels terrible. There’s absolute remorse – she never wanted to hurt him and she thinks she’s gone too far.

“She’s not trying to harm him; she just wants him to need her. I think she regrets giving him blood thinners. There is an element of guilt – she does question herself.”

The filming and storyline also impacted co-star Bill Roache, who has played Ken Barlow since its first episode in 1960.

She explained: “We were both a bit shocked and it sounds awful that I’m poisoning him, but she just wants him to need her.

“She wants to keep her  job and she loves being with him. 

“Bill is like myself, he’s very keen to play the affection between the two characters so it’s not just black and white – there is a grey area.”

ITV

Claire said ‘Ken Barlow is a clever man, don’t underestimate him’[/caption]

TONIGHT the Love Island villa will be torn apart as a HUGE row breaks out between the All Stars.

For the first time ever, the couples had the chance to ask the public two questions each.

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Catherine explodes at ‘rude’ Casey[/caption]

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Casey tells Catherine he’s not letting her talk[/caption]

The answers were revealed during an All Stars dinner – but not everyone is able to handle the truth.

Casey O’Gorman decides to make it “juicy” and Gabby Allen agrees but insists: “You can deal with the drama.”

They’re question is ‘do you think we’ll work on the outside?’, they’re told 57% said yes and 43% said no.

Casey responds: “In here it’s 100%, so it’s interesting it’s kind of split…a slight win.” 

Better news for Catherine and Omar and Harriett and Ronnie as their questions ‘are we compatible’ and ‘are we right to have given it a second go?’ both came back with 70% yes and 30% no.

Catherine adds: “It feels so so good that the public think we’re compatible, I’m so happy.”

Harriett tells them: “Yay I feel really good.” 

Ekin-Su isn’t happy when the answer to her question with Curtis, “Do you think we are a good match?” is read out to the group.

And things get worse when it’s time for round two – the questions they asked about other couples.

Catherine and Omar’s question surprises Gabby and Casey and things get tricky between the two couples, whilst Luca is surprised to be the topic of questions from both Gabby and Casey and Harriet and Ronnie. 

Elma and Sammy’s question about Curtis and Ekin-Su reignites another clash between Elma and Curtis when it’s revealed their question was ‘do you think Curtis and Ekin-Su are the weakest couple?’.

Curtis says: “I feel there’s a slight spite behind the whole thing.” as Elma tells Curtis: “Oh please Curtis, have a day off, babe.”

And Casey comes to blows with Catherine when he tells her: “I’m not letting you talk.”

Watch all the drama unfold tonight at 9pm on ITV2.

Elma: “Oh please Curtis, have a day off babe.”

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Ekin-Su and Curtis are upset by Elma’s question[/caption]

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Elma rages at Curtis for calling her out over ‘spite’[/caption]

SUN Racing’s Wednesday tips are below.

Back a horse by clicking their odds.

LONGSHOT

H KEY LAILS (4.20 Southwell)

He rarely runs a bad race and was on the premises at Wolverhampton last time. His mark is rising but still gives him solid place claims.

THIEF

MUMAYAZ (2.05 Southwell)

He battled to get up on the line at Wolverhampton last time and will be dangerous again after a fair 2lb rise.

RISK (3.50 Southwell)

He was beaten less than a length at Wolverhampton last time and is back from the same mark.

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HEARTBROKEN neighbours have told of the battle to save a 10-year-old girl who was killed by a “speeding driver who came out of nowhere.”

Two girls were walking home to their house in Bradford when a horror crash left a girl, 10, dead and a teenager injured.

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A girl, 10, has died after a tragic collision in Bradford on Sunday[/caption]

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Neighbours have shared how they ‘rushed to help’ after hearing the accident from their homes[/caption]

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Officers were called to the scene at 6.30pm and the girls were rushed to hospital[/caption]

Neighbours heard the tragic accident from their homes on Sunday and hurried out to the road where the collision happened.

One resident said: “I heard the collision from my bedroom and then the screech of brakes.

“People rushed out to try and help them before the emergency services arrived.

The 35-year-old driver of a silver Toyota Yaris was arrested at the scene in West Yorkshire.

The resident continued: “It’s just an absolute tragedy. I’d like to say it was out of the blue but this was an accident waiting to happen.

“We’ve got boy racers whizzing past down here day and night. It’s like a race track.

“There’s a speed limit but they take no notice of it. It’s like the Fast and the Furious – they just bomb down the road with no regard for anyone’s safety.

The two girls were both rushed to hospital after the crash after officers were called at 6.30pm.

Another neighbour added: “They were just walking across the road.

“They looked both ways and it was clear – then all of a sudden the car came out of nowhere.

“The impact smashed the windscreen of the car and dented the front side.

“The family are just devastated.”

The injured girl is said to be “doing better but she has undergone multiple surgeries.”

A third neighbour added: “I’ve no idea what speed the car was doing but it was very fast.

“The police blocked off all the surrounding roads so nothing was coming and going apart from emergency services.

“I don’t know who she was or what she looked like, but she was only 10 years old.

“I’m presuming that I must have seen here walking to and from primary school.

“This is the first time we’ve had a bad accident on this road in the 40 years I’ve lived here but there have been lots of near misses.

“It’s all very upsetting.”

On Sunday West Yorkshire Police confirmed the 10-year-old tragically died from her injuries.

A spokesperson for the force told The Sun: “Police are appealing for witnesses after a fatal road traffic collision in Bradford.

“Officers were called at 6.32pm yesterday (9 February) to reports of a collision involving a silver Toyota Yaris and two child pedestrians on Ransdale Road, near to the junction of Ramsey Street.

“A 10 year old girl was taken to hospital, sadly she died from her injuries this morning.”

The force confirmed that a 16-year-old girl was also taken to hospital with serious injuries but that these were not life-threatening.

The spokesperson added: “The driver of the Yaris, a 35 year old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

“He remains in police custody.”

EASYJET is suspending two of its popular airline routes to France in the next few weeks.

The budget airline will no longer operate flights from both Manchester and Bristol Airport to Paris.

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easyJet is scrapping two of their three Paris routes from the UK[/caption]

Aviation expert Sean M wrote on social media: “easyJet to terminate flights between: Bristol – Paris Orly [and] Manchester – Paris Orly.”

The routes will be scrapped from March 29.

It’s bad news for budget travellers with the flights costing around £17.99 from the regional airports.

It comes just weeks after the airline confirmed they would be launching a twice-weekly service from Southampton to Paris on March 31.

This means this will be the only route that easyJet operate to Paris this summer.

Sun Online Travel has contacted easyJet for comment.

Brits who don’t live near Southampton will have to fly from Birmingham or Edinburgh with Air France.

London airports including London Heathrow with British Airways or London Gatwick with Vueling.

Or there is an option to fly to Paris Beauvais with Ryanair, either from Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester or Edinburgh.

While flights start £14.99, the airport isn’t actually in Paris and takes nearly two hours to get there.

Don’t want to fly? You can get Eurostar tickets to Paris for as little as £39 as well.

Last month, easyJet confirmed they would be scrapping a number of UK flights next year too.

The cancellations come after the rise in Air Passenger Duty (ADP) were confirmed, working out to around £2 per flight.

The easyJet cancellations will affect routes from London to both Scotland and Northern Ireland in 2026.

Last year, Ryanair also warned that they could scrap flights from 10 airports in France if a new tax is introduced.

The budget airline has already pulled flights from Bordeaux Airport.

All Ryanair flights from Bournemouth to Agadir have been cancelled, after just one year.

And Ryanair has scrapped all flights to Aalborg.

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easyJet will only offer a Southampton-Paris route from next month[/caption]

MAFS UK star Luke Debono has hinted at a cast feud a year after filming the show. 

Luke, 30, tied the knot with Amy Kenyon on the most recent series of Married At First Sight UK – but she brutally dumped him during the vow renewal ceremony. 

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Now he’s opened up about his co-stars, revealing he’s only seen Polly Sellman briefly since filming wrapped. 

Speaking exclusively to The Sun – when asked if he’s in touch with any of them – he replied: “Not particularly. No.”

Luke continued: “I did see somebody in passing, Polly – before she moved to Australia. But otherwise everyone else is from different geographical places. 

“ I think everyone just gets back to their lives and back to doing their own thing. You know. 

“We were together for the programme, and then some – if they’re close – they can make a friendship work.”

But Luke revealed the cast do have a WhatsApp group chat and added: “It’s nice because we’ve all been through the same experience.”

After a rocky time during the experiment, Amy made her feelings clear when she arrived at the vow renewal dressed for funeral. 

She savagely told Luke: “I know my worth and you aren’t worthy of me. This marriage is done, dead, deceased. I stand here in front of you today wearing black to mourn its death. RIP.”

After the show Amy and Adam Nightingale – who was paired with Polly – sparked rumours they’d started a new romance. 

And last month they fuelled speculation when they headed on a romantic cruise together. 

But Amy later hit out at rumours, telling fans: “Just because I’ve been asked this 400 times. We are friends.

“We’d have no reason to deny if we were in a relationship. Sorry to disappoint you.”

And Luke has made it clear he’s very single, telling us his plans for Valentine’s Day.

He said: “Valentine’s plans would be having a nice Domino’s pizza.”

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Adam and Luke recently fuelled rumours of a romance[/caption]

EASTENDERS star Jamie Borthwick has revealed Ross Kemp’s return will take viewers down memory lane in a nostalgic Mitchells reunion.

The actor, who has played Jay Brown on the BBC soap since 2006, said upcoming scenes between Grant and Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, is the perfect way to celebrate the soap’s 40th anniversary.

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Jamie Borthwick said Ross Kemp’s return will play huge part in 40th anniversary[/caption]

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Grant is set to return to Albert Square as he tries to save his brother Phil Mitchell[/caption]

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This week viewers will see Ross, 60, step back into Albert Square, along with several other show icons, nine years after his last appearance.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as his on-screen brother Phil battles with his mental health in a harrowing storyline as his depression spirals after an attempted suicide.

Strictly star Jamie, 30, said Ross’ return will play a huge part in the anniversary special.

Jamie exclusively teased to The Sun what EastEnders fans can expect next week, saying: “We’ve got Phil and Grant, Ross Kemp is brilliant. Phil and Grant, seeing them two on screen together, it’s like ‘that’s the old EastEnders’.

“There is so much that’s going to happen, all the recent questions that the audience want to know are all answered on the night.

“You find out who hits Cindy on the head, I believe there’s a Queen Vic fire.”

BBC fans will get the power to decide whether Denise Fox reunites with estranged husband Jack or picks secret lover Ravi Gulati instead in an interactive Walford first.

For the first time ever, as part of the show’s 40th birthday celebrations, viewers get to vote for their choice of outcome, which will be revealed during a special live episode in anniversary week.

Jamie revealed who he hopes the public picks, telling us: “We’ve got Denise deciding between Jack and Ravi – I want her to pick Jack!”

Jamie confirmed he will be part of the live 30-minute special along with a number of other cast members.

The soap star said he’ll be spending the next few days in Elstree Studios in preparation for next week’s episode.

“We finished Strictly live tour last night and tomorrow I’m in rehearsals for the live episode of EastEnders – I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be everything EastEnders fans want,” Jamie said.

“When EastEnders get it right, it’s the best.

“I’m not nervous about it being live, especially doing Strictly where I’m not really comfortable dancing live, I kind of feel I’m comfortable with the acting – I’m not really nervous about doing that live, I’m just excited.

“It’s such a good atmosphere when we’re on the set, everyone’s got that kind of extra bit of buzz.”

Grants back

The soap kick-started Ross’ five decades long career that he instantly said yes when telly chiefs asked him to revive his most famous role as Grant Mitchell.

He said: “I always felt like I owed them.

“I always felt I wouldn’t have been able to have gone on and done all my other shows — the documentaries, going to Afghanistan and travelled the world — without EastEnders.

“I wouldn’t have been able to get my foot in the door as a working class boy from Essex.

“I just wouldn’t have got those opportunities if it hadn’t have been for my time spent on the soap.

“I joined the show just five years after it began, and then I stayed with it for almost ten years — and that was just life-changing for me.”

He added: “The way in which (show boss) Chris Clenshaw approached me was very, very lovely.”

Ross is reminded of just how many opportunities EastEnders has given him by the fact he is juggling his return to the show with making a new documentary about the Mafia in Britain alongside hosting BBC gameshow Bridge Of Lies.

As if that weren’t enough, he has also agreed to front a special hour-long documentary celebrating the four decades since EastEnders launched on February 19, 1985.

Naturally, he isn’t giving much away about what happens while he is back in EastEnders, though he will admit that Grant’s stay in Walford is a relatively brief one.

Ross teases: “I’m only back for a short period of time but it’s pretty impactful.

“He certainly comes back with bang — they didn’t have time to drop me in gently.

“There’s no soft landing if you’ve been part of that inner circle on EastEnders.

“People said to me, ‘Did you get a chance to catch up with people?’ And I said, ‘Not really’, because you’re on a rollercoaster.

“From the moment you get on the set it’s like, you’re off!”

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Jamie revealed he’ll be starring in the 30 minute live special[/caption]

THE Welsh Open is UNDERWAY as 64 stars compete in the final Home Nations Series event of the season.

Defending champion Gary Wilson crashed out in the first round after a shock 4-3 defeat to Ishpreet Chadha on opening day.

Ronnie O’Sullivan was set to begin his campaign against Jamie Rhys Clarke this afternoon, but it has now been confirmed that Rocket has withdrawn from the tournament, and Clarke gets the bye.

The race for the £150,000 Home Nations bonus concludes at the Welsh Open, with Neil Robertson currently leading the way for the huge cash prize.

• Start time: From 10am GMT
• Live stream: discovery+ / BBC iPlayer
• TV channel: BBC Red Buttom

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DONALD Trump’s team feared for his safety so much during the campaign they launched a decoy plane to rumble Trump Force One being shot down with missiles.

The nominee’s life was in danger after Iran launched a plot to kill him in revenge for his slaying of senior general Qasem Soleimani in 2020.

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Donald Trump’s team feared he could have been assassinated by Iranian agents[/caption]

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Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps soldiers march in formation[/caption]

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Iranian agents had access to surface-to-air weapons inside the US, the book says[/caption]

It was revealed in November, that an Iranian agent had been charged with plotting to kill Trump in an assassination that would have shaken the world.

A new book – Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump’s Return to Power by Politico reporter Alex Isenstadt – has revealed the extraordinary new details the Republican’s team went to to protect him from the Ayatollah’s other plots.

Fears were magnified after the assassination attempts against Trump in Pennsylvania and at his Mar-a-Lago compound in Florida during the campaign.

Trump’s security team became worried the President’s famous dark blue and red Trump Force One jet would be an easily recognizable target, according to Isenstadt.

And they were even warned that Iranian operatives inside the US had access to surface-to-air missiles.

His team became so worried about Trump being shot out of the sky as the plane took off or came into land, that on one occasion they had him travel on a decoy plane supplied by a billionaire pal while the rest of his team travelled on Trump Force One.

That day, soon after the September 15 attempt on his life, aides were left fuming after they feared they would be “collateral damage”.

Chris LaCivita, a senior advisor to Trump’s campaign, told staffers on the plane “the boss” was not riding with them that day.

He said: “We had to put him into another plane. This is nothing but a sort of test for how things may happen in the future.”

But campaign leaders had to assure the staffers that they weren’t being used as bait.

Once on the ground, Trump was driven around in a decoy motorcade with Trump in one and staffers in another.

At a September 18 rally on Long Island, NY, the Secret Service warned campaign leaders they had intelligence someone might be looking to shoot up the motorcade.

LaCivita told one staffer: “Don’t f****** hang out the window and take photos, because you’re a f****** target.”

During a trip to Pennsylvania the next week, the motorcade was followed by a drone prompting officers to shoot it with an electromagnetic gun.

Trump often boasted about killing Soleimani at rallies – but Isenstadt reports Trump became privately worried about the possibility of the threat to his life .

Days after taking office for a second time, Trump revealed he had given his team strict instructions to completely obliterate Iran if they ever assassinated him.

He said: “I’ve left instructions if they do it, they get obliterated, there won’t be anything left.”

The US President also signed an executive order calling for his government to impose serious pressure on Tehran.

He later moderated by saying he wanted a “verified nuclear peace agreement” with the country.

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Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani who Trump killed in 2020[/caption]

Trump posted on social media in September saying there were “big threats” on his life by Iran.

He said that US military was watching and waiting and Iran had already “made moves” which had failed.

Trump said: “I am surrounded by more men, guns, and weapons than I have ever seen before.

“An attack on a former President is a Death Wish for the attacker!”

Trump’s staff requested unprecedented levels of extra security including a ballistic glass shield at rallies in swing states.

Trump has named his head of the Secret Service as as the man who put his life on the line for the incoming blood-stained President.

Sean Curran helped cover Trump from the gunman who opened fire at him during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July.

Curran had served as the head of Trump’s security detail for the last two and a half years.

He bravely put his body on the line during the close-run assassination attempt by Thomas Crook that shocked the world.

THE US Open mixed doubles will take place the week BEFORE the singles tournament starts at Flushing Meadows – and carry a $1million (£804,000) cheque.

In a “groundbreaking innovation”, the event will be staged during the fan week in the New York borough of Queen’s.

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Big changes are in motion for the US Open at Flushing Meadows in 2025[/caption]

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The mixed doubles tournament has been moved away from its usual slot in a bid to increase participation[/caption]

Mixed doubles will no longer be staged during the main draw of the singles play.

It means the Grand Slam will be essentially spread over three weeks – different from the other three majors.

And in an attempt “to elevate focus” on mixed doubles, the prize pot has been bumped up for the winning team.

Britain’s Jamie Murray is three-time winner of the US Open mixed doubles title.

While Joe Salisbury won it with American partner Desirae Krawczyk in 2021.

American world No.5 Jessica Pegula said: “As a player who enjoys competing in doubles, I’m excited for the opportunity to play the US Open mixed doubles championship during the first week.

“I appreciate the importance of innovation and exploring new ways to engage more fans and grow our sport.”

Californian Taylor Fritz, the world No.4, added: “Mixed doubles is always a great challenge, and I’ve had some amazing experiences with it over the years.

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“From the Olympics to the United Cup, and even the US Open Mixed Madness last year.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the chance to compete for a Grand Slam title in the future.”

The new-look format will also look a little different on the court.

This year’s mixed doubles competition runs from August 19 to August 20, with 16 teams set to play.

Early round matches will be best-of-three sets played to just four games, with a deciding point played at deuce.

Only the final will feature a traditional best-of-three sets played to six games, as is usually the case in a Grand Slam.

Lew Sherr, CEO of the US Tennis Association, said: “The reason behind this is to appeal to more fans and grow the fan base around the world.

“But the way to do that is to have the biggest names in the sport participating in doubles, and to showcase them teaming up and playing in a different format, we think is exciting.

“In fact, we know it’s exciting.”

“By giving the competition its own spotlight we’re elevating mixed doubles to put an even greater focus on the incredible talent we have across the sport.

“We’re working closely with top players, many of whom are eager to be part of this historic change.”