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Sara Davies breaks silence after announcing shock Dragon’s Den exit as star says she struggled to ‘juggle’ busy career

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.

Woman in yellow dress speaking.
BBC
Sara Davies has broken her silence after announcing her shock Dragon’s Den exit[/caption]
Two women sitting on a green couch, one pointing.
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.

Sara Davies on Dragon's Den.
The TV presenter, author and businesswoman joined Dragon’s Den in 2019

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‘I don’t like it’ – Gary Lineker has wild reaction after spotting ex-Match of the Day star at Baller League launch

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.

Gary Lineker at a live show.
PA
Gary Lineker went rogue at the Baller League UK Draft in London[/caption]
Three people walking away from the camera in a large venue.
YouTube/Baller League UK
The Match of the Day host ditched fellow managers Alan Shearer and Micah Richards[/caption]
Two people embracing in a large venue.
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.”

Cheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets

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.”

What are the Baller League rule?

But what are the rules?

Matches will be played in a six-a-side format on an smaller indoor pitch.

Each half set to last 15 minutes.

Shock rule twists to be introduced for the final three minutes of each half including a three vs three format, long-range goals counting as double, and goalkeepers not allowed to use their hands.

These rule twists for the final three minutes will be randomised.

MLS style one-vs-one penalties to be used.

12 teams in the league with the top four going through to the playoffs.

League set to start in March 2025, with the final four play-off in May to crown the winner.

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Top ITV Emmerdale writer told partner he would kill her then ‘chop up her face’ in horrific abuse campaign

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.

How you can get help

Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:

  • Always keep your phone nearby.
  • Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
  • If you are in danger, call 999.
  • Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
  • Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
  • If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
  • Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.

If you are a ­victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support ­service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].

Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.

You can also call the freephone 24-hour ­National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

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.

Man in dark jacket and pants standing in front of a brick wall.
MEN Media
Former Emmerdale writer Martin Fustes was given a two-year suspended prison sentence[/caption]

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Discord down updates — Thousands of users report issues with server connection and app during major outage

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…

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