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Graham Norton is stepping down from hosting his weekend shows on Virgin Radio.

The 60-year-old Irish presenter joined the station in 2021 after leaving his BBC Radio 2 Saturday morning show.

Norton made the shock announcement on Saturday morning, telling his listeners he wanted to have his “weekends back” after 13 years of radio presenting.

“Now the show isn’t quite the normal show today because I have a bit of an announcement to make – I’m leaving weekends here at Virgin Radio,” he said.

The chat show host said he will not be leaving Virgin entirely, adding: “I’ll still be kind of popping up on the station from time to time but my regular Saturday and Sundays, I’m stepping away.”

He added: “I’ve worked weekends between here and the old place for 13 years and my life has changed a bit so I just want my weekends back.

“So really the next two shows, today and tomorrow, are me just saying thank you to you all for listening.”

The slot will be temporarily filled by fellow Irish presenter Angela Scanlon, before a permanent replacement is announced in due course.

Scanlon, who competed on Strictly Come Dancing last year, responded to Norton’s joint Instagram post with Virgin Radio confirming the news, writing the message “miss you already”.

During his Saturday show Norton read out messages from listeners, thanking him for entertaining them over the years.

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After playing You’re The Voice by John Farnham, he closed the show by saying: “Well that’s got me running, running out the door.

“I’ll still be on Virgin Radio every now and again but the weekends end tomorrow.”

He said his final show will feature chats with actor Callum Scott Howells, who stars in the new BBC drama The Way, and actress Laura Donnelly, who will feature in the West End play The Hills Of California.

Norton joined Radio 2 in 2010 on the 10am to 1pm Saturday show, taking over from Jonathan Ross, and spent 10 years in the role.

He moved to Virgin Radio in 2021, with his BBC slot going to Claudia Winkleman.

(L-R) Hannah Waddingham and Norton at the Eurovision 2023 grand final. Pic: AP
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(L-R) Hannah Waddingham and Norton at the Eurovision 2023 grand final. Pic: AP

After three years in the role, Winkleman announced that she would be leaving the show in March, to spend more time with her growing children. Comedian Romesh Ranganathan will step into her role.

Norton still presents The Graham Norton show on BBC One, airing on Friday nights.

He also leads the broadcaster’s Eurovision coverage – a role he took over from Irish chat show host Terry Wogan in 2009.

Norton’s final weekend slot will be tomorrow from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

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Rapper Ghetts facing new charges after allegedly causing death by dangerous driving

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Rapper Ghetts facing new charges after allegedly causing death by dangerous driving

The rapper Ghetts, who allegedly caused the death of a man in a hit-and-run collision, is facing further charges.

The rapper was charged at the end of last month after a 20-year-old died in a road incident in northeast London.

The musician, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, initially faced a single count of causing the death of Yubin Tamang by dangerous driving.

He now faces two further charges of driving dangerously before and after the collision on 18 October.

It is alleged he drove dangerously in Tavistock Place, in the Bloomsbury area of central London, and on other roads in the borough of Camden, north London.

The collision with Mr Tamang occurred in Redbridge Lane, Ilford, at 11.33pm on 18 October, the Met Police said. Clarke-Samuel is accused of failing to stop after his BMW hit the victim.

Mr Tamang died on 20 October.

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Clarke-Samuel allegedly continued to drive dangerously in Worcester Crescent, Redbridge, on the journey back to his home in King’s Avenue, Woodford, east London.

The black BMW, which is allegedly registered and insured in the defendant’s name, was said to have suffered significant damage.

The rapper has been in custody since a preliminary appearance at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on 27 October.

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On Monday, he appeared at the Old Bailey by videolink from Pentonville prison and spoke to confirm his name.

Mr Tamang’s family watched in the court, having travelled to the UK from Nepal.

Adjourning the case, Judge Nigel Lickley KC said Clarke-Samuel could appear in court by videolink again next time as he remanded him in custody.

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Jimmy Cliff: Reggae singer and actor dies

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Jimmy Cliff: Reggae singer and actor dies

Jimmy Cliff, a musical artist who helped bring reggae to an international audience, has died aged 81.

Known for hits including You Can Get It If You Really Want, The Harder They Come, and Many Rivers To Cross, his career spanned six decades.

Cliff performing on the Pyramid Stage, at the Glastonbury Festival in 2003. Pic: PA
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Cliff performing on the Pyramid Stage, at the Glastonbury Festival in 2003. Pic: PA


His wife, Latifa Chambers wrote on Instagram: “It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia.

“I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him.

“To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career. He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.”

Thanking the medical staff who helped during his illness, she added: “Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes.”

Signed by his wife, and two of his children, Latifa and Lilty, the statement concluded: “We see you Legend.”

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Tributes to the singer included those from Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, calling him “a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world… Jimmy Cliff told our story with honesty and soul. His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today.”

UB40 star Ali Campbell, who covered Cliff’s song Many Rivers To Cross in 1983, also paid tribute, saying he was “absolutely heartbroken to hear about the passing of a Reggae forefather” in a post on X.

Campbell also called Cliff “a pillar of our music, and one of the first to carry reggae out into the world”.

Jimmy Cliff (L) stands with Wyclef Jean at his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2010. Pic: Reuters
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Jimmy Cliff (L) stands with Wyclef Jean at his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2010. Pic: Reuters

A legend of music and screen

A two-time Grammy-winning artist, Cliff was awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit in 2003, the highest honour in the arts and sciences, from the Jamaican government.

Over the years, he would work with stars including the Rolling Stones, Sting, Elvis Costello, Annie Lennox, Paul Simon and Wyclef Jean.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

A prolific writer, frequently expressing his humanitarian views through his work, his 1969 track Vietnam was reportedly described by Bob Dylan as “the best protest song” he had ever heard.

Cliff was also well known for cover versions of songs, including Johnny Nash’s I Can See Clearly Now, which appeared on the soundtrack of the 1993 movie Cool Runnings, and Cat Stevens’ Wild World.

He twice performed on high-profile US chat show Saturday Night Live.

An actor and a musician, as well as singing the title track of 1972 cult classic The Harder They Come, Cliff also starred in it.

One of the first major commercial releases to come out of Jamaica, the movie is credited with bringing reggae to the world, as well as showing a grittier and more realistic side to the country.

During this time, Cliff’s fame rivalled Bob Marley as the reggae’s most prominent artist.

The storyline, which revolved around Cliff’s character, Ivan, moving to Kingston, Jamaica, to make it as a musical superstar, had parallels with his own.

Cliff at the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards at the London Arena in London's Docklands in 2002. Pic: PA
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Cliff at the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards at the London Arena in London’s Docklands in 2002. Pic: PA

‘Hurricane Hattie’

He was born James Chambers, during a hurricane, on 30 July 1944, in St James Parish, northwestern Jamaica.

In the 1950s, he moved with his father from the family farm to Kingston, determined to succeed in the music industry.

He began writing as Jamaica was gaining its independence from Britain, and as the early sounds of reggae – first called ska – were being developed.

At just 14, he became nationally famous for the song Hurricane Hattie, which he had written himself.

Cliff would go on to record over 30 albums and perform all over the world, including in Paris, in Brazil and at the World’s Fair, an international exhibition held in New York in 1964.

The following year, Island Records’ Chris Blackwell, the producer who launched Bob Marley And The Wailers, invited Cliff to work in the UK.

Jimmy Cliff during the Love Supreme Jazz Festival in 2019. Pic: Shutterstock
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Jimmy Cliff during the Love Supreme Jazz Festival in 2019. Pic: Shutterstock

‘I still have many rivers to cross!’

Speaking about his burning passion for life during a 2019 interview, when the star had begun losing his sight, Cliff said: “When I’ve achieved all my ambitions, then I guess that I will have done it and I can just say ‘great’.

“But I’m still hungry. I want it. I’ve still got the burning fire that burns brightly inside of me – like I just said to you. I still have many rivers to cross!”

Cliff’s last studio album, Refugees, made with Wyclef Jean, was released in 2022, and the singer said he wrote the title track “due to emotional feelings towards freedom taken away from human beings”.

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Woman charged with fraud over ‘sale of Oasis tickets’

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Woman charged with fraud over 'sale of Oasis tickets'

A woman has been charged with fraud offences over the alleged sale of Oasis tickets.

Rosie Slater has been charged with 11 counts of fraud by false representation, Staffordshire Police said.

The 32-year-old, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, has been granted unconditional bail and is due to appear in court at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 11 December.

The charges relate to the alleged sale of Oasis tickets in May.

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It comes as ministers confirmed plans to make it illegal for tickets to concerts, theatre, comedy, sport and other live events to be resold for more than their original cost.

Earlier this month, pop stars including Sam Fender, Dua Lipa, Coldplay and Radiohead urged the prime minister in an open letter to stand by his election promise to restrict online ticket touts.

The huge profits made by resellers were put in the spotlight last year when thousands of Oasis fans complained of ticket prices for their reunion tour, with some Wembley Stadium show tickets listed at more than £4,000.

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