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Taylor Swift has smashed a triumphant set in front of an enormous crowd in Edinburgh on her record-breaking Eras tour – telling fans it was “the wildest way to welcome a lass”.

As she welcomed the crowd, the US megastar announced it was officially the highest-attended stadium show in Scottish history.

“Oh hi,” she casually told the more than 70,000 people who came to see her perform.

See more: Swift’s Eras tour in Edinburgh in pictures

The 34-year-old star initially took to the stage in a diamante-encrusted corseted leotard and bejewelled cowboy boots.

She later admitted: “This tour has been the most fun I’ve had in my entire life… my one regret now is that I really should have come to perform in Scotland more.

“I can’t stop staring at you, I’m captivated by this audience.”

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Blasting through her biggest hits in a set of 40+ songs, on stage for more than three hours, she promised to take fans on a “grand adventure” they’d never forget. She certainly did that.

“After tonight, you’re going to think about us and the memories we made,” she promised.

As it happened: Taylor Swift’s first UK Eras tour date

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Taylor Swift kicks off UK leg of Eras tour

The evening was “unforgettable”, she told the crowd, while her last song of the night, Karma, was dedicated to the crowd. “Edinburgh you have given us everything you could possibly give us tonight.”

It was a pinch-yourself evening for Swifties fortunate enough to get a ticket. Lyrics memorised, costumes perfected.

The show was a musical marathon which demonstrated not only why Swift is arguably one of the greatest songwriters of modern pop music but also one of the world’s most accomplished performers.

The show itself, paced perfectly to hold the audience’s interest with slick dance routines and theatrical, at times fantastical, staging.

The screams of support for her most famous hits were deafening. Countless fans leaving Murrayfield hoarse after she told the story of her eight Eras while delivering the ultimate singalong.

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Taylor Swift performs on stage during her Eras Tour at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. Picture date: Friday June 7, 2024. Pic: PA
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Pic: PA

This was a long day for many, a hardened few sat outside since dawn to be among the first in-line to secure a front row spot.

“Anything’s worth it for Taylor,” Julia had told me at 7am outside the stadium. Her friend admitting she’d “sell my kidneys, probably both lungs” to get close to the star.

Why does she elicit such a reaction? Despite her billionaire status, Swift has somehow remained an artist whose voice remains real, authentic and honest.

Her songwriting – a shared diary of sorts – resonating all the more for her openness about her flaws, bad break-ups, sharing with fans not only the joy of falling in love, but the heartbreak.

The crowd at Murrayfield were word-perfect for her hits like You Belong With Me, the stadium echoing with noise during We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.

If performing songs from her Tortured Poets Department Era – her latest album written about her ill-fated London loves – took on more poignancy for Swift this being the UK leg of her tour, she gave no indication on stage.

 Taylor Swift performs on stage during her Eras Tour at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. Picture date: Friday June 7, 2024. Pic: PA
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Pic: PA

An all but faultless performance but for the acoustic section of her show, where the star was forced to briefly stop playing the guitar, saying: “My hand has frozen in a weird cramp… this is so embarrassing… it’s like performing with a claw. No one relates.”

While it’s understandable that many balk at the stupidly expensive price of some VIP packages, few could question Swift’s commitment to offering her fans the ultimate experience. The confetti canons and fireworks, a needless distraction really from what she does best – singing out.

A one-woman economy boosting machine, Swift’s 15 UK shows are projected by some to boost the UK economy by almost £1bn with fans shelling out, not only on tickets, but accommodation, travel, and pre-show parties.

I spoke to people who travelled here from Spain, The Netherlands, America, India and even Australia.

Fans who’d spent months planning their costumes, painstakingly threading bracelets, embroidering jackets, which is undoubtedly half the fun.

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‘Anything’s worth it for Taylor!’

While this level of pop obsession is nothing new, that one artist can still achieve this in an age where we are swamped with musical choice speaks volumes as to the power of Swift’s music.

Forget about politicians touring the country, Swift’s whereabouts will be what’s dominating the national conversation for vast swathes of the country over the next month.

While some may scoff at the tweeness of swapping friendship bracelets, dressing up and glitter – there is a delightfulness to being a part of the Swift crowd, which is a warm and welcoming world.

Swift’s proving herself to be, not only a prolific songwriter, but the ultimate showwoman.

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Labour MP Dan Norris arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences

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Labour MP Dan Norris arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences

Labour MP Dan Norris has been arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Dan Norris MP was immediately suspended by the Labour Party upon being informed of his arrest.

“We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.”

Police said a man in his 60s had been arrested on Friday on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction and misconduct in a public office.

Sky News has contacted Mr Norris for comment.

Mr Norris, 65, defeated Jacob Rees-Mogg to win the new seat of North East Somerset and Hanham in last year’s general election.

He has also lost the party whip in the House of Commons and has stepped down from his role as chair of the League Against Cruel Sports.

Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: “In December 2024, we received a referral from another police force relating to alleged non-recent child sex offences having been committed against a girl.

“Most of the offences are alleged to have occurred in the 2000s, but we’re also investigating an alleged offence of rape from the 2020s.

“An investigation, led by officers within Operation Bluestone, our dedicated rape and serious sexual assault investigation team, remains ongoing and at an early stage.

“The victim is being supported and given access to any specialist help or support she needs.

“A man, aged in his 60s, was arrested on Friday (April 4) on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl (under the Sexual Offences Act 1956), rape (under the Sexual Offences Act 2003), child abduction and misconduct in a public office. He’s been released on conditional bail for enquiries to continue.

“This is an active and sensitive investigation, so we’d respectfully ask people not to speculate on the circumstances so our enquiries can continue unhindered.”

Mr Norris first entered Parliament when Tony Blair came to power in 1997 and served as the Wansdyke MP until 2010.

He was an assistant whip under Mr Blair and served as a junior minister under Gordon Brown.

Mr Norris has also been West of England mayor since 2021 but is due to step down ahead of May’s local elections.

A spokesman for the League Against Cruel Sports, a UK-based animal welfare charity which campaigns to end sports such as fox hunting and game bird shooting, confirmed he had stepped down from his role.

“The charity cannot comment further while an investigation is ongoing,” a statement said.

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Jaguar Land Rover to ‘pause’ US shipments over Donald Trump tariffs

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Jaguar Land Rover to 'pause' US shipments over Donald Trump tariffs

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has said it will “pause” shipments to the US as the British car firm works to “address the new trading terms” of Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The US president has introduced a 25% levy on all foreign cars imported into the country, which came into force on Thursday.

JLR, one of the country’s biggest carmakers, exported about 38,000 cars to the US in the third quarter of 2024 – almost equal to the amount sold to the UK and the EU combined.

Follow live updates: Trump’s baseline 10% tariff kicks in

In a statement on Saturday, a spokesperson for the company behind the Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover brands said: “The USA is an important market for JLR’s luxury brands.

“As we work to address the new trading terms with our business partners, we are taking some short-term actions including a shipment pause in April, as we develop our mid- to longer-term plans.”

The company released a statement last week before Mr Trump announced a “baseline” 10% tariff on goods from around the world, which kicked in on Saturday morning, on what he called “liberation day”.

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JLR reassured customers its business was “resilient” and “accustomed to changing market conditions”.

“Our priorities now are delivering for our clients around the world and addressing these new US trading terms,” the firm said.

Trading across the world has been hit by Mr Trump’s tariff announcement at the White House on Wednesday.

All but one stock on the FTSE 100 fell on Friday – with Rolls-Royce, banks and miners among those to suffer the sharpest losses.

Read more: A red wall on Wall Street – but Trump seems to believe it will work out

Cars are the top product exported from the UK to the US, with exports worth £8.3bn in the year to the end of September 2024, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

For UK carmakers, the US is the second largest export market behind the European Union.

Industry groups have previously warned the tariffs will force firms to rethink where they trade, while a report by thinktank the Institute for Public Policy Research said more than 25,000 car manufacturing jobs in the UK could be at risk.

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Two people die after caravan fire at holiday park in Lincolnshire

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Two people die after caravan fire at holiday park in Lincolnshire

Two people have died following a fire at a caravan site near Skegness, Lincolnshire Police have said.

In a statement, officers said they were called at 3.53am on Saturday to a report of a blaze at Golden Beach Holiday Park in the village of Ingoldmells.

Fire and rescue crews attended the scene, and two people were found to have died.

They were reported to be a 10-year-old girl and a 48-year-old man.

The force said the victims’ next of kin have been informed and will be supported by specially trained officers.

Officers are trying to establish the exact cause of the blaze.

“We are at the very early stages of our investigation and as such we are keeping an open mind,” the force said.

Two fire crews remain at the scene.

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