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Tributes have been pouring in from high-profile figures in the music industry following the death of rock legend Jeff Beck at the age of 78.

The iconic musician passed away on Tuesday after suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, his family said in a statement.

Musicians from across the world have been paying tribute to the Grammy award-winning guitarist from Surrey, who rose to prominence with rock band The Yardbirds and went on to have a successful solo career that incorporated hard rock, jazz, blues and even opera.

“Jeff was such a nice person and an outstanding iconic, genius guitar player – there will never be another Jeff Beck,” Tony Iommi, guitarist for Black Sabbath wrote on Twitter.

Ronnie Wood, who played with Beck in the Jeff Beck Group, said that he felt one of his “band of brothers has left this world.”

Sir Rod Stewart said Beck was “on another planet” and described him as “the greatest”.

“He took me and Ronnie Wood to the USA in the late 60s in his band the Jeff Beck Group and we haven’t looked back since,” he wrote on Instagram.

The Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger said music had lost “one of the greatest guitar players in the world” in his online tribute to Beck, as he shared a video of the pair playing together.

“We will all miss him so much,” Jagger said.

Rock legend and Queen guitarist Sir Brian May said Beck was “the absolute pinnacle of guitar playing” and a “damn fine human being”.

“Gutted, so sad, to hear of Jeff’s passing. He was the Guv’nor. He was inimitable, irreplaceable – the absolute pinnacle of guitar playing,” he said on Instagram.

“And a damn fine human being. I’m sure I will have a lot to say, but right now… Just lost for words. Bri. #jeffbeck.”

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the band Kiss also expressed their sadness at the news.

The band’s bassist, Simmons, said the news was “heartbreaking”, adding, “No one played guitar like Jeff.”

While Stanley, Kiss’s frontman, described Beck as “one of the all-time guitar masters”.

Genesis lead guitarist Steve Hackett described Beck as “a powerful influence on myself and many others”.

He tweeted: “Devastating news about the loss of much loved, influential guitar legend Jeff Beck.

“He made the electric guitar sing… a powerful influence on myself and many others.”

British rock star Ozzy Osbourne said it had been “such an honour” to know and play with him on his most recent album.

“I can’t express how saddened I am to hear of @JeffBeckMusic’s passing,” the Black Sabbath frontman tweeted.

“What a terrible loss for his family, friends & his many fans.

“It was such an honour to have known Jeff & an incredible honour to have had him play on my most recent album, #PatientNumber9. Long live #JeffBeck.”

US rock band Hollywood Vampires, comprising of Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Tommy Henriksen, also paid tribute to Beck via social media, describing him as a “true innovator”.

“We are saddened to hear of the passing of our dear friend and guitar legend Jeff Beck,” the band tweeted.

Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys singer and co-founder, also recalled fond memories of touring with Beck in 2013.

“I’m so sad to hear about Jeff Beck passing,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Jeff was a genius guitar player, and me and my band got to see it close up when we toured with him in 2013.

“One of the highlights we did was ‘Danny Boy’ – we both loved that song. Love & Mercy to Jeff’s family.”

The Smiths guitarist, Johnny Marr, tweeted: “RIP Jeff Beck. A pioneer and one of the all-time greats. #jeffbeck.”

The rock star had recently finished touring his latest album 18, which he recorded with Johnny Depp.

A family statement posted on the musician’s official Twitter page read: “It is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing.

“After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday.

“His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”

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Kemi Badenoch calls on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq over property allegations

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Kemi Badenoch calls on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq over property allegations

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.

It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.

He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.

Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.

“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.

“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”

Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.

Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.

Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.

Kemi Badenoch
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Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister

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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.

She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.

On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.

“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”

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Search area widened for missing sisters in Aberdeen

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Search area widened for missing sisters in Aberdeen

Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.

Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.

The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.

Eliza and Henrietta Huszti who were last seen on CCTV in Market Street.
Pic: Police Scotland/PA
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Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA

They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.

Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.

SN screengrab aberdeen city showing Victoria Bridge (looking north towards market street) re: missing sisters Eliza and Henrietta Huszti
Ingest_23_NM23_RGR_15_SAF_MISSING_SISTERS_ABERDEEN_GVS_ABERDEEN
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The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee

SN screengrab aberdeen city showing boat club. A potential location of missing sisters Eliza and Henrietta Huszti
Ingest_23_NM23_RGR_15_SAF_MISSING_SISTERS_ABERDEEN_GVS_ABERDEEN
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The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee

Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.

Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.

datawrapper map of aberdeen city showing location of police searches for missing sisters Eliza and Henrietta Huszti

Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.

“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”

The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.

Henrietta  Huszti who along with her sister, Eliza, were last seen on CCTV in Market Street.
Pic: Police Scotland/PA
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Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland

Eliza Huszti.
Pic: Police Scotland/PA
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Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland

Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.

Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.

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Katie Piper reveals artificial eye decision – 16 years after acid attack

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Katie Piper reveals artificial eye decision - 16 years after acid attack

TV presenter Katie Piper has revealed her decision to get an artificial eye, 16 years after an acid attack that left her with life-changing injuries and partial blindness.

The Loose Women panellist, 41, is an advocate for those with burns and disfigurement injuries.

She shared a video of her being fitted with the prosthetic on Instagram.

Piper said: “After many years battling with my eye health, I’ve reached the end of the road somewhat, and the decision has been made to try a prosthetic eye shell.

“This marks the start of a journey to have an artificial eye, with an incredible medical team behind me.

“As always I’m incredibly grateful to all those in the NHS and private health care system for their talent and kindness.

“I will share my journey, I’m hopeful and nervous about being able to tolerate it and would love to hear from any of you in the comments if you’ve been on this journey or have any advice.”

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Commenting on the post, presenter Lisa Snowdon said Piper was a “warrior” and a “true inspiration”.

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Piper has undergone hundreds of operations after suffering an acid attack arranged by her ex-boyfriend in March 2008.

She gave up her right to anonymity and made a documentary in 2009 called Katie: My Beautiful Face.

Piper also founded the Katie Piper Foundation which supports survivors of life-changing burns and scars, and has received an honorary doctorate from the Royal College of Surgeons to mark her ground-breaking work.

She was made an OBE in 2021 for her services to charity and burn victims.

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