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MICHAIL ANTONIO has made an emotional return to West Ham – just months after his horror car crash.

The 34-year-old winger cheated death in December following a terrifying Ferrari wreck.

Sky Sports

Michail Antonio was presented on the field before West Ham’s clash with Newcastle[/caption]

Sky Sports

The winger was given a hero’s welcome by the home crowd[/caption]

Reuters

Antonio has been out of action since December following a horror car accident[/caption]

Steve Bell

The Hammers star spent almost an hour trapped in his Ferrari before being airlifted to hospital[/caption]

Antonio was airlifted to hospital after his £260,000 Italian supercar spun off the road near Theydon Bois in Epping.

He suffered a broken leg and numerous other injuries after being trapped in the car for over an hour.

But after a remarkable recovery, the winger was back in the stands at the London Stadium for Monday’s clash with Newcastle.

Antonio was given a hero’s welcome by the Hammers faithful ahead of kick-off in East London.

The forward was presented to the crowd moments before kick-off, where he was given a standing ovation.

Antonio has recently been in light training in Dubai, despite initial fears he might never play again.

But there is no concrete date yet decided for his return to action.

Hammers boss Graham Potter has not ruled out the Jamaican playing again this season.

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Potter said last month: “He’s recovering.

“He’s been in Dubai and it’s been good for him to get that work in.

“I wouldn’t want to put any time on [his return to playing] because it’s not fair on him.

“We just take it day-by-day and see.”

A grateful Antonio thanked emergency services for saving his life after he was discharged from hospital on New Year’s Eve.

He wrote on Instagram: “Every year around this time, I’m asked what I’m grateful for, and every year I’ve struggled to find the right words.

“But this year, I know exactly what I’m grateful for: being alive.

“I’ve spent so many years taking life for granted. I made plans for the next day, the next year, always assuming tomorrow was guaranteed.

Instagram

Antonio needed surgery on a broken leg after being cut out of his car[/caption]

“What I’ve been through recently has opened my eyes. Life is fragile, and every single moment matters.

“I’m so grateful to God for giving me the strength to keep going and for allowing me to still be here.

“To the emergency services, the NHS, the Air Ambulance, everyone at the Royal London and Cromwell hospitals and everyone from top to bottom at West Ham United FC.

“The medical team, the board, all of the staff, my teammates and the amazing West Ham fans.

“I honestly could not have got through this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

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PRIMARK is selling the “perfect underseat suitcase”, which looks ideal if you are planning a weekend getaway.

The perfectly proportioned bag has been designed to fit under the seat in front on a plane if you are trying to save cash on a hold or cabin bag.

TikTok/@primarkcardiff1

Primark is selling a suitcase which can fit under the seat on a plane[/caption]

The purse-friendly Primark product is a smart choice for anyone flying with budget airlines like Ryanair and Jet2, where luggage rules are notoriously tight.

In recent years, these companies have tightened their baggage policies, allowing passengers to bring only a small underseat bag on board for free.

Any larger bag – even those stored in the overhead compartment – now incur additional fees that can quickly add up.

Primark’s bag measures 40x20x25cm, when its wheels are removed, meaning it’s fully compliant with Ryanair’s underseat baggage dimensions.

It’s also ideal for EasyJet customers, with their under-seat cabin bag’s maximum dimensions being 45 x 36 x 20 cm, including handles and wheels.

The airline claims this size allows you to “bring all the essentials for a short trip.”

Thankfully the Primark bag’s wheels are “easy click”, so they can be detached in seconds on the plane if you need.

The hardshell suitcase even includes a handy bag for storing the wheels during the flight.

Inside the suitcase there are a number of different zipped compartments to make packing easier.

The bags also won’t break the bank, costing just £25 each and saving you having to pay for any luggage on the flight.

For easy transportation to and from the airport, the suitcase has four swivel wheels to make it glide effortlessly no matter the weather or road conditions.

The budget retailer wrote on TikTok: “Holiday season is here. 

TikTok/@primarkcardiff1

The suitcase’s wheels can be easily removed to make the dimensions smaller[/caption]

TikTok/@primarkcardiff1

The suitcase comes with a bag to store the wheels in[/caption]

“Perfect suitcase to fit under the seat with removable wheels.”

The Cardiff branch showed how they had a number of colours available, from chrome grey to rose gold.

If you are not able to get to a Primark, Sun Travel created a guide to their favourite cabin bags, ranging from budget bargains to stylish statement pieces, all of which will make your trip worry-free.

TikTok/@primarkcardiff1

They have a number of colours and designs available[/caption]

BRITAIN’S soaring welfare bill is “unsustainable, indefensible and unfair”, Sir Keir Starmer warned tonight as he faced down a Labour rebellion.

The PM vowed to slash sickness benefits spending to stop it spiralling to £70billion by the end of the decade.

Rex

At a late night meeting of MPs – many of whom are threatening a left-wing revolt – he insisted he would not be cowed from acting.

He said: “We’ve found ourselves in a worst of all worlds situation – with the wrong incentives – discouraging people from working, the taxpayer funding a spiralling bill, £70billion a year by 2030.

“A wasted generation. One in eight young people are not in education, employment or training and the people who really need that safety net still not always getting the dignity they deserve.

“That’s unsustainable, it’s indefensible and it is unfair, people feel that in their bones. It runs contrary to those deep British values that if you can work, you should.

“And if you want to work, the government should support you, not stop you.”

Ministers have delayed the benefits announcement until next week as divisions deepen over the welfare shake-up.

Supporters argue Britain has a “moral duty” to rein in soaring sickness benefits, while MPs on the left of the party warn of “draconian cuts” that could push disabled people into poverty.

The crackdown could see 2.4 million claimants required to prepare for work, with hundreds of thousands facing benefit cuts if they refuse.

Ministers also plan to tighten access to personal independence payments, aiming to save over £5 billion, while raising Universal Credit and investing £1 billion in job coaching.

A group of 36 Labour MPs, calling themselves the “Get Britain Working Group,” insist the reforms are “a truly progressive endeavour.”

But dozens on the Left are gearing up to rebel, with Rachael Maskell urging ministers not to “start with the stick.”

Several leading charities, including Disability Rights UK, Citizens Advice, Scope and Sense, also wrote to the Chancellor yesterday urging for a “safeguard” to disability benefits from cuts.

A RAGING man has revealed how he was ordered to remove a mere 90cm fence from outside his home by the local council.

Scaffolder David Grange said he was left “baffled” after councillors branded the railing an “eyesore”.

Terry Blackburn

David Grange with the fence outside his home[/caption]

Terry Blackburn

The fence is just 90cm tall[/caption]

He was stunned when local councillors in the town of Ingleby Barwick rejected plea to keep the fence standing on his property, calling it a “mess”.

The council argued that the fence “spoiled this aesthetic, ruined the street’s spacious feel and would set a precedent if given planning permission”, according to Teesside Live.

A statement on the council’s planning portal read: “Open plan was the original planning to keep an open communal feel with a focus on aesthetics, which this goes against. This will open the door for others to do the same and set a precedent if granted.”

Mr Grange said today: “I just feel it’s really unfair. It really baffles me.”

Authorities initially proposed to approve the fence, saying they found no harm to the area, road safety or neighbours.

Planning services manager Simon Grundy said the fence still allowed for views through it and preserved the area’s sense of openness.

But the proposal attracted disapproval from some councillors on the committee making the final decision.

Councillor Sylvia Walmsley, who was “amazed” by the proposal, said: “It’s an absolute mess. It’s an eyesore. It impacts on the street scene.”

Mr Grundy responded: “Historically we wouldn’t normally want to see walls and fences within open plan estates. Where we have lost appeals in the past, they’ve been where you have railings because you can see through it.”

Cllr Norma Stephenson said: “I think it’s a case of ‘be careful what you wish for’. In my opinion, there’ll be a lot of residents around here who’ll want fencing. If it’s open plan, it’s open plan.

“Once you say yes to one, then it’s a free-for-all. I do agree it’s a mess. It’s not even up straight, for God’s sake. I think if it’s open plan, it’s open plan, and we stick to it.”

Mr Grange said: “We’ll take the railings down and consider appealing this decision or putting bushes in to replace the railings.

“It’s only stuck in the ground. It’s just bought from a garden centre. You wouldn’t even notice the fence, it’s not in your vision.

“By definition it’s not even a fence. A fence is to enclose an area. This is just a strip of metal fencing, there’s a gap.”

GARY LINEKER has been accused of being too friendly with his Baller League opposition – before a ball has even been kicked.

The England legend, 64, attended the Baller League UK draft on Monday alongside a host of familiar faces.

PA

Gary Lineker went rogue at the Baller League UK Draft in London[/caption]

YouTube/Baller League UK

The Match of the Day host ditched fellow managers Alan Shearer and Micah Richards[/caption]

YouTube/Baller League UK

Lineker raced over to give former MOTD colleague Ian Wright – a rival in the league – a massive hug[/caption]

Lineker was joined by stars including Luis Figo, John Terry and Robert Pires ahead of the upcoming six-a-side tournament.

The Match of the Day host is managing a team in the tournament alongside his BBC colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

Host Olivia Buzaglo introduced the three former players to the crowd, as they debuted their team ‘Deportrio’,

As they walked out past the other managers, Lineker spotted his former MOTD mate Ian Wright.

The England legend had a wild reaction as he immediately ditched Shearer and Richards to sprint over to Wright, before giving him a huge hug.

Buzaglo was joined by influencers KSI and Chunkz to introduce the teams.

And Chunkz was not impressed by Lineker failing to put on his gameface.

He complained: “I don’t like the niceties, you know? They’re getting too friendly there.”

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A laughing Buzaglo added: “Too friendly aren’t they.”

Chunkz added: “I don’t like it.”

The Baller League saw immense success in Germany and will launch in the UK on March 24.

Former pros, social media stars, and free agents are all invited to tonight’s draft in the capital.

12 teams in total are entering the competition, with six matches being held weekly before the playoffs.

Baller League CEO, Felix Starck explained: “Baller League is a brand new way to consume football.

“We’re redefining how the game is played by bringing an exhilarating and authentic approach to football, and one that will appeal to current fans along with future generations.

“Baller League is all about forward-thinking, aggressive, hyper-exciting football.

“We’re about creating a version of the game that’s impossible to ignore – thrilling, bold and packed with excitement.”

SARA Davies has broken her silence after announcing her shock Dragon’s Den exit.

Entrepreneur Sara, 40, devastated fans this week after revealing she won’t take part in the BBC show’s upcoming series.

BBC

Sara Davies has broken her silence after announcing her shock Dragon’s Den exit[/caption]

BBC

She chatted with Alex Jones and Clara Amfo on The One Show[/caption]

Appearing on this evening’s installment of The One Show, the former Strictly star revealed her reason for stepping away, confessing she had struggled to ‘juggle’ her busy career.

Host Alex Jones started by saying, “Now then, Sarah, last week, sad news that you’re leaving the den. I know. That must be a very hard decision because I know how much you love it.”

Sara responded, “It’s who I am. It’s part of my DNA. It’s my life. It’s everything.

“And I’m not going to lie, it was not the easiest decision to make but just trying to juggle everything. You know, when they asked me, I thought, ‘Oh yeah, people do it for a couple of years.'”

She explained how she initially signed on for a short time, saying, “And then they asked us back the third year and then they asked us back the fourth year, and then I just kept doing it.

“And I thought, ‘Do you know what, it’s because Dragon’s is an iceberg.’ You see the little bit of time we’re filming, but all of these businesses that you commit to, I want to give them a piece of me.

“And there’s just not quite enough pieces of me to keep going round. You know, something you have to give at some point.”

Alex responded, “Well, you will be missed. And you’ve had some guest Dragons, which I’ve loved watching. Oh, anybody you think could do it long term?”

Sara thought for a moment before saying, “Do you know, I loved it when Gary was in last year, Gary Neville, and I feel like he really had that, he had the empathy and the warmth that I think I bring to the den.”

The TV presenter, author and businesswoman joined Dragon’s Den in 2019.

At the time she was 35, making her the show’s youngest female Dragon.

She joined following the departure of Jenny Campbell.

Sara wrote on Instagram: “As this last run of Dragons’ comes to an end I have to say I’ve loved every minute of this series so far and I’m so proud of the businesses I’ve invested in this year!

“As a lot of you will know, I’ve taken up my position again as CEO of Crafter’s Companion and my business is my big priority this year.

“And when I commit to a business, I really commit, which is why I find Dragons’ Den such a rewarding role.

“As well as filming an incredible show, being a Dragon requires so much dedication and time behind the scenes as you join the life of each business you invest in.

“It means seeing through your investment and committing to your part in that organisation. It’s so much more than a TV show.

“That’s why I’ve taken the decision to step away from the Den for now, to focus on my own business, which was my first baby!

“So I won’t be filming with the team this year for the next series.”

Sara, from County Durham will continue to be seen on episodes to be shown later this year.

AN EMMERDALE script writer narrowly escaped jail after he suffocated his terrified girlfriend – and threatened to “chop her up”.

Vile Martin Fustes, 47, spat in her face and placed his hands over her mouth and nose to stop her breathing.

He also told her he wanted her to be hung from a tree and set alight, a court heard.

Fustes, who worked on the ITV soap for nearly 20 years, admitted ABH and intentional suffocation.

Soap bosses, who had no idea he was appearing in court, have now sacked him.

A spokeswoman for ITV said: “We were shocked and appalled to learn about the recent court case involving Emmerdale writer, Martin Fustes.

“Mr Fustes is a freelance writer and he has been informed that he will no longer be writing for Emmerdale.

“Everyone at ITV and Emmerdale abhors domestic abuse, which is why we have been highlighting the issue in a major storyline over the last 12 months.

“The Emmerdale production team were not aware of these charges against Mr Fustes until we were alerted over the weekend.”

Prosecutor Samantha Laws said Fustes snapped at the family home in Beverley, East Yorks., on January 27 after a row.

He began poking and prodding her in the face and upper body with his fingers, keys and a vape – before spitting in her face.

He then put both hands around her neck two or three times and wrapped a dressing gown hood around her neck to stop her from escaping the bedroom.

Miss Laws said: “He was repeatedly shoving and pushing her back to the bed.

“He placed his hands over her mouth and nose and stopped her ability to breathe.

“She could see stars.”

Fustes later grabbed her mobile phone, pulled her watch off her wrist, told her that he wanted to kill her and chop up her face.

Miss Laws said his victim finally escaped through the front door and ran towards the local police station – only to be persuaded to return home by Fustes.

At Hull Crown Court, the woman said the ordeal was the culmination of more than 10 years of abuse.

She now suffers flashbacks.

The woman added: “I thought I was going to die.

“I had no other option but to escape and run down the street.

“I now struggle to feel safe in my home.”

Connor Stuart, mitigating, described it as “a serious, but isolated incident” – adding: “He understands that it is over.

“This relationship is concluded.

“He has shown genuine remorse.

“This is the last time that he will trouble these courts.”

Fustes was given a two-year suspended prison sentence, ordered to carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work, 15 days’ rehabilitation and a 26-session probation service domestic abuse programme.

He was also ordered to pay £2,000 compensation and £150 costs and given a ten-year restraining order.

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Former Emmerdale writer Martin Fustes was given a two-year suspended prison sentence[/caption]

THOUSANDS of Discord users have been hit with an outage across the United States and United Kingdom.

The platform is down for over 14,000 users in the US as of Monday afternoon, according to Downdetector.

Over 4,000 gamers are reporting issues in the UK.

Read our Discord down blog for the latest updates…

Things get nasty as Sharon and Nicola come to blows.

The thriller has truly shocked viewers with its twist.