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Since their spilt in the 1980s, ABBA vowed never to reform.

But in a move that delighted fans around the world, the Swedish pop quartet announced they were releasing their first new album in 39 years, and taking their hits to the stage once again.

Their new digital production has been created by the same people that do visual effects for the likes of the Star Wars and Marvel films, and means Anni-Frid, Benny, Bjorn and Agnetha can (virtually) perform as they looked in their ’70s and ’80s heyday.

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ABBA are back!

Sky News has delved into the archives to look at the group from their humble beginnings, to their iconic Eurovision win, to their technological stage show next year.

ABBA performing as an unknown band in Sweden before they were famous in 1973. Pic: I B L/Shutterstock
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1973: ABBA performing as an unknown band in Sweden before they were famous – the people in that room had no idea just quite how influential they would be. Pic: I B L/Shutterstock
In this April 6, 1974 file photo, Swedish pop group ABBA celebrate winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest on stage at the Brighton Dome in England with their song Waterloo.
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1974: But it wasn’t long before the group were catapulted into global stardom, winning the Eurovision song contest with classic tune Waterloo. Pic: AP
1977: At the height of their fame, ABBA toured all over the world - here they are in Manchester in February 1977. Pic: Andre Csillag/Shutterstock
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1977: At the height of their fame, ABBA toured all over the world – here they are in Manchester in February 1977. The group said that the UK always felt like the place to be. Pic: Andre Csillag/Shutterstock
Abba performing at United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday evening, January 9, 1979 in New York, during taping of NBC-TV Special, "The Music for UNICEF concert."  (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)
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1979: Performing at a UNICEF fundraiser at the United Nations in New York – a long way from the bars of Stockholm… Pic: AP
1979: Voulez-Vous had just been released and the group went on to tour it - here they are in Edmonton in those dashing blue outfits on the first night of a North America tour. Pic: Andre Csillag/Shutterstock
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1979: Voulez-Vous had just been released and the group went on to tour it – here they are in Edmonton in those dashing blue outfits on the first night of a North America tour. Pic: Andre Csillag/Shutterstock
FILE - Members of the pop group ABBA, from left, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Foltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, appear in Tokyo on March 14, 1980.
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1980: They’d only been going a few years but it was already close to the end for Benny, Agnetha, Bjorn and Anni-Frid, pictured here in in Tokyo. Pic: AP
 In this file photo dated Nov. 5, 1982, Swedish pop group ABBA are pictured at the Dorchester Hotel in London, with from left: Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Bjorn Ulvaeus.
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1982: It’s all smiles here – but the hit-churning group were about to take a break that ended up being their end – this is one of the last pictures of them as a group at the Dorchester in November 1982. Pic: AP
2021: The moment ABBA fans were waiting for - Benny and Bjorn at the Olympic park in east London speaking to Zoe Ball about the band's new music and stage show. Pic: Sue Moore
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2021: The moment ABBA fans were waiting for – Benny and Bjorn at the Olympic park in east London speaking to Zoe Ball about the band’s new music and stage show. Pic: Sue Moore
Bjorn Ulvaeus attends the American premiere of "Mamma Mia" at the Ziegfeld Theater on Tuesday, July 16, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini).
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2008: Bjorn Ulvaeus, who along with Benny Andersson, was the brains behind Mamma Mia! appeared at the premiere for the film version in New York – it was after the huge success of the stage show. Pic: AP
Benny Andersson, left, and Bjorn Ulvaeus pose for photographers upon arrival at the World premiere of the film 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again', in London Monday, July 16, 2018. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
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2018: And then the ABBA boys both appeared a decade later at the premiere of the sequel – Here We Go Again. Pic: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP

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Robin Kaye: American Idol TV executive and her husband shot dead inside their Los Angeles home

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Robin Kaye: American Idol TV executive and her husband shot dead inside their Los Angeles home

An American Idol TV executive and her husband have been found dead in their LA home.

Robin Kaye was a music supervisor on the long-running reality TV series.

The bodies of the 70-year-old and her husband Thomas were discovered after officers conducted a welfare check at their home.

Both had died from gunshot wounds.

Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas. Pic: Facebook
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Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas. Pic: Facebook

Detectives say Raymond Boodarian has been arrested in connection with their deaths.

It is alleged the 22-year-old had burgled their property while they were away on 10 July – killing the couple upon their return.

According to Los Angeles Police, there were “no signs of forced entry or trouble” at the property.

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Ms Kaye was an industry veteran – and had previously worked on shows including Lip Sync Battle and The Singing Bee, as well as several Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.

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Pic: ABC7 Los Angeles
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Pic: ABC7 Los Angeles

In a statement, an American Idol spokesperson said: “Robin has been a cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009 and was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her.

“Robin will remain in our hearts forever and we share our deepest sympathy with her family and friends during this difficult time.”

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Action taken to stop ticketless Oasis fans from watching this week’s shows in Manchester

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Action taken to stop ticketless Oasis fans from watching this week's shows in Manchester

Huge steel fences have been erected to prevent ticketless fans from watching the Oasis reunion tour in Manchester.

Liam and Noel Gallagher will resume their sold-out run of shows – their first since 2009 – with a performance at Heaton Park tonight, and two more on Saturday and Sunday.

While tens of thousands bought tickets for Oasis’s first two shows last weekend, crowds gathered to glimpse the large screens above the stage in the distance – in an area dubbed “Gallagher Hill” by some on social media.

People walk past a temporary security fence erected ahead of concerts by Oasis in Heaton Park on 1 July. File pic: Reuters
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People walk past a temporary security fence erected ahead of concerts by Oasis in Heaton Park on 1 July. Reuters file pic

Manchester City Council has now said more steel fences have been erected around parts of the park to prevent ticketless fans from watching the gigs, and to protect nature in the park.

“After taking stock of how the first two nights went, additional measures have now been deemed necessary and will be in place for the next three concerts,” it said.

“The erection of the fencing has a dual purpose – both to protect the environment from further damage and to dissuade people from gathering there.

“The necessary measure means the concert will no longer be visible from this area.”

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Friday: Excited fans at Oasis homecoming gig

The fences will cover a large area of the hill within the park’s cattle field, which is being developed as a new woodland area with around 300 young trees planted.

The council added that there would be no facilities for people without a ticket, and said the event area is “double-walled with solid high security fencing all the way round”.

More than 2,000 event security staff and police officers will also be on duty around the site “to ensure both the safety and wellbeing of ticket-holders and that only those who have tickets access the concert”, it said.

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John Hacking, the council’s executive member for employment, skills and leisure, also said in a statement that “unfortunately our hand has been forced in having to put these additional measures in place”.

He added: “Our advice to music fans who don’t have tickets for the concerts is to head into the city centre instead.

“The whole city is going all out to celebrate and help everyone have a good time.

“We’ve got some fantastic things going on with a real party atmosphere for everyone to enjoy, whether they’ve got tickets for the Oasis gigs or not.”

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MasterChef presenter John Torode sacked

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MasterChef presenter John Torode sacked

MasterChef presenter John Torode will no longer work on the show after an allegation he used an “extremely offensive racist term” was upheld, the BBC has said.

His co-host Gregg Wallace was also sacked last week after claims of inappropriate behaviour.

On Monday, Torode said an allegation he used racist language was upheld in a report into the behaviour of Wallace. The report found more than half of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated.

Torode, 59, insisted he had “absolutely no recollection” of the alleged incident involving him and he “did not believe that it happened,” adding “racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment”.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace in 2008. Pic:PA
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John Torode and Gregg Wallace in 2008. Pic: PA

In a statement on Tuesday, a BBC spokesperson said the allegation “involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace”.

The claim was “investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm Lewis Silkin”, they added.

“The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously,” the spokesperson said.

“We will not tolerate racist language of any kind… we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken.

“John Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.”

Australian-born Torode started presenting MasterChef alongside Wallace, 60, in 2005.

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Why Gregg Wallace says he ‘will not go quietly’

A statement from Banijay UK said it “takes this matter incredibly seriously” and Lewis Silkin “substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018”.

“This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint,” the TV production company added.

“Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.”

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Earlier, as the BBC released its annual report, its director-general Tim Davie addressed MasterChef’s future, saying it can survive as it is “much bigger than individuals”.

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BBC annual report findings

Speaking to BBC News after Torode was sacked, Mr Davie said a decision is yet to be taken over whether an unseen MasterChef series – filmed with both Wallace and Torode last year – will be aired.

“It’s a difficult one because… those amateur chefs gave a lot to take part – it means a lot, it can be an enormous break if you come through the show,” he added.

“I want to just reflect on that with the team and make a decision, and we’ll communicate that in due course.”

Mr Davie refused to say what the “seriously racist term” Torode was alleged to have used but said: “I certainly think we’ve drawn a line in the sand.”

In 2022, Torode was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, for services to food and charity.

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