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CHESS legend David Howell is set to star in a new BBC series – looking to find the next Grandmaster.

Three-time British champion Howell will appear alongside host Sue Perkins in Chess Masters: The Endgame.

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The now 34-year-old was a child prodigy and a Grandmaster by the age of just 16[/caption]

Howell has been playing chess since the age of five and is the second youngest Briton ever to achieve the title of Grandmaster.

The 34-year-old will provide expert analysis for the new show, which begins on March 10.

It will see “twelve rising stars of the UK’s booming chess community” compete across eight episodes.

Howell told the BBC: “[This is a] chance to bring chess to a wider audience.

“Chess has been my life, and I can’t wait to share this world with the British public.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to break some stereotypes along the way and show that chess is fun, exciting, and – most importantly – a game for everyone!”

Howell was a Grandmaster at the age of just 16.

And he believes the sport can reach new audiences with the show, which follows the success of Netflix’s chess drama The Queen’s Gambit.

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He continued: “It’s the ultimate mind sport.

“The themes are universal and eternal – a battle against an opponent and a quest for truth, against the backdrop of an ever-evolving landscape.

“Every generation associates chess with their own thing.

“Whether it’s Fischer versus Spassky during the Cold War or being taught the rules by a grandparent.

“Or even just watching The Queen’s Gambit.

“It’s no coincidence that chess is experiencing a boom right now – all around the world.

“I’m convinced that this is the perfect moment in time for an ambitious project like Chess Masters: The Endgame.”

THE Menendez brothers have been challenged to a bargain for their freedom by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

Hochman slammed Erik and Lyle Menendez as liars and said he believes they should stay in prison for the shotgun murders of their parents 35 years ago at a bizarre press conference on Monday.

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Nathan Hochman speaking at a press conference on Monday[/caption]

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However, Hochman then offered the brothers a way forward if they want to go free for their crimes.

The brothers have asked for a resentencing as they’re currently serving life in prison without parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.

After denying a new trial, Hochman said his office will move forward with the resentencing proceedings for the brothers – but it’s not going to be an easy road.

Former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon announced he would recommend Erik and Lyle for resentencing in October 2024.

Hochman said his office has revised Gascon’s three-page plea to an 87-page document outlining the lies the brothers told after they shot Kitty and Jose to death on August 20, 1989.

He blasted the brothers for repeatedly lying to cops in the initial investigation and never owing up to it.

“They persist in these lies until this very day,” he slammed.

Hochman said the new proceedings will be asked to consider the “lack of full insight and lack of acceptance of responsibility for their murderous actions.”

But as the court is being asked to consider how the brothers lied throughout their trials, the DA offered some hope for the pair.

“We have laid out a pathway for the Menendez brothers to potentially get out of jail,” Hochman said.

“It requires them to finally, after 35 years, to fully acknowledge and accept responsibility”

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).

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A SENIOR aide to Wes Streeting and Labour councillor has pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent exposure, The Sun can reveal.

Sam Gould, 33, intentionally exposed his genitals “intending that someone would see them and be caused alarm or distress”.

The Health Secretary tonight said he was “shocked and horrified” and called for him to “stand down immediately”.

The Cabinet Minister told The Sun: “I am shocked and horrified by this news and my heart goes out to the victims of these totally abhorrent acts.

“No one should have to endure this behaviour and I am grateful to the Police for taking swift action.

“A disciplinary process has been underway since I was made aware of his arrest at the weekend and, following his guilty plea, I am calling for him to resign as a Redbridge Councillor immediately.

“He has abused my trust, the trust of my team and the trust of my constituents and must now accept the consequences of his actions.”

Mr Gould appeared at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court today and has been released on bail.

He will be sentenced at the same court next month.

The senior parliamentary caseworker has been suspended from the Labour Party.

A Labour spokesperson said: “These allegations are extremely serious and upsetting.

“As soon as they were brought to our attention, Mr Gould was immediately suspended both from his role in the constituency office and from the party, pending a police investigation.

“We will not be providing any further comment during legal proceedings.”

TWO MEN decided to ditch the UK for a 200-year-old abandoned village in France that cost them £22,000 to buy.

Paul and Yip decided to buy the village located in Normandy and bring it back to life.

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Two Brits decided to ditch the UK and buy an abandoned village in France[/caption]

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Paul and Yip bought the derelicy buildings for just £22,000[/caption]

“We never ever set out to buy a hamlet or village, we didn’t really think oh well we shouldn’t really do this cuz we haven’t got the money,” said Paul.

“We just thought, it’s buy now worry about it later,” added Yip.

The pair decided to purchase the village and restore it to its former glory and then make the surrounding area a glamping site.

Taking to YouTube, the pair said: “It had sat derelict and covered in ivy for nearly 30 years!

“Nature was swallowing these buildings whole! Long story short we sold everything we owned and bought the lot for €26,000.

“We never imagined that we would one day own our own home, let alone a whole village.”

While much of the village still needed to be repaired, the men had been successful in turning a former piggery into a utility room for future guests.

The bathroom was complete, with Paul and Yip installing shower stalls inside the 19th-century room.

Now, the men had two weeks to install a kitchen, which they documented on Channel 4‘s Help! We Bought a Village.

The pair have spent a year making the village safe for guests and it was finally time to welcome their first ones.

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The pair decided to turn it into an idyllic glamping spot[/caption]

“When we turned up, it was a million miles away from being able to invite anyone now for it to resemble a business and something that someone would want to come and spend their time and pay for it is a huge thing,” said Paul.

The pair decided to keep the village looking like it would have when it was first built, instead of using brick, they rebuilt the walls using stone, as they would have done 200 years ago.

For the utility room, they kept the stone walls but added a pop of colour with green paint for the doors and window frames.

Just outside of the utility room, the men had transformed a horse box into a small bedroom for their first guests.

The guests were seriously impressed with Paul and Yip’s transformation and how ‘special’ it was – leaving the men in tears.

Yip said: “We’ve made a business from somewhere that was quite dilapidated and unused for 30 years and now it’s back in action, we are literally breathing life into it.”

The pair are continuing to share the renovations over on their own YouTube channel (@yipnpaulshelpweboughtavillage).

While it’s not close to being finished, and roofs continue to crumble, the men have plenty of support from fans to keep them going.

One person wrote: “You will put it all back together and it will all be lovely again. Good neighbours look after good people. Keep up the good work and don’t loose heart.”

Another commented: “A great admiration to you both. If it falls “rebuild” a lot of work. Patience is a virtue…… you will renovate your beautiful village into a humble one.”

“A bit overwhelming! I so admire your vision and your determination. One day at a time and remember to pause for self care,” penned a third.

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The gift of rest and relaxation[/caption]

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KLORIS Soothing CBD Bath Salts 500g, £24

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DANNY Jones’ dad Alan Jones has quit his radio job, in a row over Maura Higgins’ ‘drunk Brits kiss’ with his McFly star son.

This week, The Sun revealed Maura, 34, and McFly star Danny, 38, stayed at a hotel until 6am sharing wine.

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Danny Jones’ dad Alan Jones has quit his radio job, in a row over Maura Higgins’ ‘drunk Brits kiss’ with his McFly star son[/caption]

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Alan is a presenter on Fresh Radio Spain, in Benidorm, and he hosts a three-hour slot on the station, five days a week[/caption]

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Danny and Maura shared a kiss at the Brits[/caption]

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Maura returned to social media last weekend[/caption]

A revelation that comes after we revealed they’d kissed at the Universal Brits after-party that same night, just a few months after they appeared together in ITV1’s I’m A Celebrity in November.

Danny’s wife has issued a “final warning” after the new clip of her husband and Maura at a hotel was revealed.

And now, Danny’s dad Alan is said to be “deeply upset” by comments his colleagues have made, at the radio station he presents at.

Alan is a presenter on Fresh Radio Spain, in Benidorm, and he hosts a three-hour slot on the station, five days a week.

But after discovering his colleagues had labelled his son as a ‘pig’ following his kiss with Maura, Alan is now off air and has quit the position he loved.

A source close to Danny’s dad Alan told The Sun: “Danny’s dad is refusing to go back on air on his radio show, and furiously ranted at station staff after two of his co-presenters were mocking his son live on air.

“He’s been telling people that Danny is going through a marriage crisis, and so it’s upsetting to then have his colleagues talking about it behind his back.

“After finding out his co-presenters called his son a ‘pig’ for his kiss with Maura Higgins, it’s been a hugely upsetting time for Alan, who loved his time presenting Fresh up until that point.”

Danny has been estranged from his father Alan Jones, 72, for 18 years, which he has struggled with, and spoke openly about in the I’m A Celeb jungle last year.

He wasn’t invited to Danny’s wedding to Georgia Horsley in 2014, and he also hasn’t met his grandson, Cooper, six.

Alan left ex-wife Kathy, Danny’s mum, in 2005 when Danny was 19 years old and already enjoying a string of hits with McFly. 

His father’s abrupt exit left the singer struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. 

In 2022, he told podcast White Wine Question Time: “I had a massive bout of anxiety when I was 19, when my dad left.

“It’s hard for a kid because you crave that [stability] and you miss it.

It comes as Danny’s wife Georgia Horsley is said to be holding “crisis talks” again, with a source from Danny’s camp saying it’s time for the pop star to be “honest” and publicly address what happened in a bid to save his marriage.

“Everyone would understand why Danny and his wife have been quiet” they told the Mirror.

“They are likely working through various discussions from the first video that was released alone. With this second video, Danny needs to now speak out.”

They explained that single Maura is receiving most of the “backlash”, while married man Danny is getting away with his actions.

The source insisted it’s only right for the All About You hitmaker to “take some accountability” now before it gets worse.

“Who knows if another video will emerge, but being honest is now the only way that this has a chance of resolving itself,” they added.

Just this weekend, Maura broke her cover and revealed she’s jetting to Los Angeles for an “exciting shoot”.Maura shared a snap from her business class seat on a British Airways flight leaving London Heathrow.

She had what appeared to be a glass of white wine in front of her and headphones at the ready for the long haul flight.

It comes after we revealed she continued partying with Danny until 6am after their kiss at the Universal Brits after-party.

Only security guards appear to be nearby as they are seen chatting intimately, laughing and holding filled wine glasses.

They then disappeared into a darkened, curtained-off side room at the Nobu Hotel in central London.

Staff said the room was for use by guests only.

One security guard said: “You can only go through there if you are staying at the hotel.”

Earlier that night, at about 3am, Maura was heard shouting “Danny” as they stood on The Strand leaving a Universal Records party at 180 House where they were filmed kissing at 2.50am.

They travelled by car separately across London to a Sony party at Marylebone’s Nobu Hotel.

An onlooker said: “Danny and Maura seemed to be enjoying their night of partying and had no plans to call it a night.

“They were knocking back wine at the Nobu from 4am and seemed keen to carry on. They weren’t seen leaving before 6am.”

After the Brits last Saturday, reality star Maura changed out of a see-through black outfit into a white minidress and jacket, with no top underneath, before going to an after-party where she kissed Danny, 38.

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Danny’s wife Georgia is holding “crisis talks” with her husband[/caption]

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After discovering his colleagues had labelled his son as a ‘pig’ following his kiss with Maura, Alan is now off air and has quit the position he loved[/caption]

Shutterstock Editorial

Danny and Maura met on I’m A Celeb last year[/caption]

Sweet dreams!

A by-election will be held to replace him.

Her movie star mother sobbed with pride.