Gavin & Stacey fans are still reeling after the final episode of the beloved BBC sitcom but now Welsh co-creator and Nessa star Ruth Jones is about to make a comeback

Politics

Bite-sized treats that are big on flavour and will see out the year in styleHappy 2025 everyone, and may the New Year bring with it the positive changes we all so yearn for. Personally, I will be embracing change in a big way, because, after seven years, this is my final column for the Guardian’s Feast. From March, I will be writing a new, long-form quarterly column packed with recipes, personal experiences and general observations about the food world, so stay tuned. The Feast community is the most engaged and greedy I know, so thank you! And I hope you welcome the New Year with these party nibbles I have lined up for this weekend. Here’s to new beginnings! Continue reading...

Society

Gold leather trousers are everywhere right now, but how much do you need to spend? With more than £4,000 separating these, we'll let you decide

Economics

The Rangers boss is toiling and the Belgian won't be relishing a clash against their fierce rivals

Sport

Given the Taliban has banned women from taking part in sport and even speaking in public, Afghanistan’s cricket team should not be welcome at the International Cricket Council’s Men’s Champions Trophy

Events

Vera season 14 has been confirmed to be the final outing so here's everything there is to know about the end of the ITV detective drama.

Culture

Hair experts have explained how to look after your hair during the Christmas season

Science

It's the season to get snuggly. From cashmere sets to tracksuits, the YOU team reveal their feel-cosy favourites

Politics

"It must have been horrifying"

Society

When David Clarke’s mother died, it took him 10 years to work out what to do with the money she left him. This year, a panel of locals in Liverpool made the decision for himIt was a quiet act of generosity that briefly captured the news agenda: David Clarke, a researcher in Liverpool, made the extraordinary decision to give away the £100,000 he had inherited from his late mother a decade ago. But instead of donating it to one cause, Clarke did something radical. He wrote to 600 addresses in the L8 postcode, where he lives, inviting people to nominate where the money should go.Clarke lost his mother in a cycling accident. “Her death was a devastating shock to me,” he says. “She had a huge social conscience and was interested in the world and how it worked – a lot of my moral framework comes from her. I don’t believe in holding on to inherited wealth, so I spent a long time thinking about what to do with the money.” Clarke wanted to do something that would speak to his mother’s values...

Economics

Arsenal have a few positions that could do with more quality - especially up front given their lack of a recognised No 9 - while some defensive cover would also be useful after injuries to Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu

Sport

A 24-year-old Scots guitarist's life was permanently altered when he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive kidney disease that has caused a "lonely struggle".

Events

Netflix's Squid Game has returned to the streaming platform with season 2 and the show's creator reveals the iconic costumes of the characters hold special meanings

Culture

Manchester United have struggled in the 2024/25 Premier League season, and Ruben Amorim's Red Devils may look to bolster their squad in next year's summer transfer window as a result

Politics

Virgil van Dijk is one of three leading Liverpool players to have their contracts expire at the end of the season, with little public sign of progress to this point

Economics

His death comes just six days after his last fight - a win over Rogelio Medina Luna in New Jersey that saw him named the WBA Gold Cruiserweight world champion.

Sport

Stacey Gibson, 36, and her partner Martin, 38, have been on an emotional six-year journey as they experienced the highs and lows of IVF treatment before welcoming twins Albie and Isla.

Events

One Gavin & Stacey extra has been revealing his experiences of appearing in the final episode

Politics

Brazilian giants Palmeiras are eyeing a January deal for Fulham playmaker Andreas Pereira but Cottagers boss Marco Silva has little interest in losing the 28-year-old mid-season

Economics

Head coach has enjoyed an immediate impact but knows the importance of leading attacker staying put in JanuaryAs Wolves were on Friday night breathing a sigh of relief that Matheus Cunha is set to be available to face Tottenham on Sunday, there are plenty of other positives to be drawn from Vítor Pereira’s first week at the helm alongside their star player’s contributions.Cunha has scored in both of their new manager’s opening games as Wolves have climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time this season following the wins over Leicester and Manchester United. An FA misconduct charge is hanging over Cunha, but the governing body’s disciplinary panel is unlikely to meet before next week. Continue reading...

Sport

Manchester United could be set for a busy January transfer window, with a number of players potentially set to leave Old Trafford as Ruben Amorim revamps his squad

Events

The actress will step back into Nessa's trademark black bob wig and leather skirt to read Radio 4's Shipping Forecast as the programme celebrates its centenary on the BBC on New Year's Day.

Politics

Bees had no plans to enter the market mid-season, but injury problems may now alter that approach

Economics

Emmanuel Petit spent just one season at Barcelona after leaving Arsenal for the Nou Camp in 2000, before moving to Chelsea, and he has admitted he regrets the decision

Sport

Cat Deeley's future on This Morning has been confirmed just nine months after she made her debut.

Events

Gavin's almost bride-to-be Sonia, played by Laura Aikman, left viewers shocked when she 'came back to ruin Christmas' during this year's special.

Politics

Laura Brumpton, 34, and her husband Alan, 37, were enjoying a festive outing to a Christmas market when they decided to treat their children to two hotdogs – but they got a shock when they checked their bank balance

Economics

Squid Game fans waited three years for season 2 to be released

Sport

Reigning world No1 will miss the start of the 2025 PGA Tour season in Hawaii after hand wound caused by broken glass

Events

The reality TV star chugged too many beers following his traitors win, tipping the scales at 16 stone at his heaviest - 'Being invited to all these events, I drank as many free Coronas as I could'

Politics

Brianna Alvelo, 22, has been arrested and charged with a series of violent charges after allegedly attacking a pregnant woman who had not given her a large tip in Kissimmee, Florida

Economics

Gavin and Stacey fans expressed their shock after discovering Smithy's full name during the 2024 Christmas special, with one joking they "watch the show too much"

Sport

Oren and Alon Alexander, accused of sex trafficking and multiple assaults, are under scrutiny following revelations of a 2009 anonymous blog post accusing them of rape in 2003.

Events

Jose Mourinho gave an honest verdict on Marcus Rashford's ability which speaks volumes amidst the Manchester United forward's stand-off with new manager Ruben Amorim

Politics

Raheem Sterling has struggled for game time at Arsenal so far this season, having joined the Gunners on loan from their Premier League rivals Chelsea over the summer

Economics

The last ever episode of the show - which came five years after the most recent Christmas special - pulled in a massive 12.5 million viewers for the BBC.

Sport

In the video, shown by New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday, officers can be seen surrounding Robert Brooks who is restrained

Events

The Premier League season has not reached its halfway point and yet Arsenal knew this was a game they had to win. Liverpool’s stunning form at the top of the table had seen to that. It was scrappy for long spells, Ipswich digging deep, determined to show a response to the 4-0 home drubbing against Newcastle from last Saturday – the only time they have taken a real battering this season.Arsenal were restricted. They found chances difficult to come by. But in the end, one goal was enough – together with another clean sheet for David Raya, his 23rd in 50 league appearances for the club. Kai Havertz was the scorer, turning home a Leandro Trossard cross midway through the first half; he made it look simple. Continue reading...

Politics

Gavin and Stacey officially bowed out after a thrilling final episode, but some eagle-eyed viewers were less than thrilled when they spotted a bizarre plot hole in the story

Sport

In-form Villa striker will now be banned for three gamesUnai Emery believes ‘stamp’ on Schär was unintentionalAston Villa are shocked and disappointed after the Football Association rejected their appeal against Jhon Durán’s red card, meaning the striker will serve a three-match ban.The Colombian was given a straight red card by the referee, Anthony Taylor, after being adjudged to have intentionally stamped on the Newcastle defender Fabian Schär when the pair collided in the first half of Villa’s Boxing Day defeat. Continue reading...

Events

When Brighton produced a stirring comeback to defeat Manchester City here at the start of November and move into the top four, Fabian Hürzeler could have been forgiven for thinking that being a Premier League manager is a pretty straightforward business. But after another disappointing performance from his side that made it six matches without a victory and allowed Brentford to pick up only their second away point of the season, the 31-year-old may have a different opinion now.Despite creating a plethora of chances, Brighton could not find a way past Thomas Frank’s battling side, who lost their goalkeeper Mark Flekken to injury in the first half and handed a Premier League debut to Hákon Valdimarsson. In the absence of their top scorer, Danny Welbeck, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, and for all their positivity and possession under Hürzeler, Brighton lack a cutting edge in attack that was exposed again by Brentford. They have not won at home since beating City and it wa...

Politics

The last ever episode of the show - which came five years after the most recent Christmas special - pulled in a massive 12.5 million viewers for the BBC.

Sport

Footage shows dozens of young people barging their way into a street wear store in Perth, Australia, with many knocked over in the doorway after they were invited to ransack the store on Boxing Day

Events

Scheffler was scheduled to compete in the 2025 season-opener, The Sentry, from January 2-5 over in Hawaii. Yet following the freak accident he will no longer be taking part.

Politics

BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey came to an emotional end on Christmas Day with the final episode watched by 12.5 million - and viewers were left delighted by some surprise appearances

Sport

Manchester United goalkeepers Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir allowed Tottenham and Wolves to score directly from a corner in the last few games - and the Red Devils could now bring in Belgian starlet Senne Lammens

Events

The last of the crystal triangles that make up this year’s Times Square New Year’s Eve ball have been installed, marking the first time in 10 years that all 2,688 were replaced at once

Politics

Fans unanimously branded it 'boring' and 'predictable' - while also lacking its trademark nail-biting plot, and also raised it barely had any new game.

Sport

American cuts hand on broken glass during festive periodGolfer will now miss the first tournament of seasonThe men’s world No 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has had surgery on a hand injury he sustained while cooking Christmas dinner. The 28-year-old American has been forced to withdraw from the first tournament of the season, next week’s The Sentry in Hawaii, after cutting his right hand on broken glass.The PGA Tour said: “World No 1 and 2024 FedEx Cup Champion Scottie Scheffler has withdrawn from the PGA Tour’s 2025 season-opening tournament, The Sentry, which will take place next week, 2-5 January at The Plantation Course at Kapalua in Maui, Hawaii.” Continue reading...

Events

A Manchester United legend has admitted he would jump at the chance to return to Old Trafford in a coaching capacity and warned Ruben Amorim's time at the club could be short-lived

Politics

Midfielder facing another suspension after being sent off against Wolves

Sport

These are the heartbreaking last words of a flight attendant on board the doomed Azerbaijan Airlines plane that was reportedly shot down by a Russian missile on Christmas Day.

Events

Sekou Kone primarily plays a defensive midfielder and was headhunted by United scouts who watched him dazzle for Mali at the Under-17 World Cup - and now the 18-year-old is hoping to follow in the footsteps of a club legend

Politics

Amorim unlikely to have significant funds to spend despite club’s struggles on the pitch

Sport

Manchester United midfielder has been more disciplined this term but unique demands of his job keep him in the firing lineAgainst Leicester on Boxing Day Virgil van Dijk took to 50 the number of successive league games he has played every minute of. This alone does not explain why the Dutchman is such an effective leader, nor why his Liverpool side are currently so successful, but it certainly helps. There are many kinds of captain, many ways of leading, but above all the one unarguably necessary thing is to be present. You cannot lead a team from the stands.At which point it is tempting to go in two-footed on Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, as many newspaper headlines did on Friday morning. The Portuguese is, for a couple more days at least, one of only four other captains to have played in every game of this Premier League season but that run ends with the visit of Newcastle on Monday, for which he will be suspended after Tony Harrington, just after half-time in the Boxing Da...

Events

Unbeaten runner imperious in defeat of BallyburnVal Dancer grabs the glory in Welsh Grand NationalWhat looked likely to be a duel in the fog turned into more of a rout in the gloom at Kempton on Friday, as Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino made one of the more memorable debuts over fences in recent years, and established a strong claim to be the best two-mile novice chaser in Britain or Ireland.Ballyburn, a Grade One winner over hurdles at Cheltenham in March, simply could not live with the speed and accuracy of Sir Gino’s jumping in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase, a race that has been won by an extensive list of future two-mile champions from the Nicky Henderson yard over the years. Remittance Man, Sprinter Sacre, Altior and Shishkin are all on the roll of honour, and Sir Gino, who is now odds-on with most bookmakers for the Arkle Trophy at next year’s festival, could yet prove to be as good as any of his illustrious predecessors. Continue reading...

Politics

The actor, 46, who stars as Smithy and co-created the series with Ruth Jones, also thanked the whopping 12.5M fans who tuned in for the send off in an emotional post.

Sport

The teenager still can't drive but has shared his quickfire plan for getting on the road himself

Events

As the busy Christmas schedule continues our man runs the rule over the TV action from Newbury and Leicester and has four selections

Politics

Arsenal and Manchester United are just two of the Premier League clubs who are said to be weighing up their options in the market ahead of the January transfer window

Sport

Manchester United have lost considerably more matches than they have won in the Premier League this season and the dreaded 'R' word has been mentioned

Events

They may symbolise the festive season for many but red-breasted robins face a struggle for food in the coldest months and we can help them out, advises The Woodland Trust.

Politics

Arsenal could be tempted to increase their firepower in front of goal in the January transfer window as they consider how to contend with Bukayo Saka's injury in the second half of the season

Sport

The man involved in the fatal plane crash has been named

Events

One of Coronation Street’s most well-known cast members shed a tear as she bid farewell to the soap after 50 years on screen.

Politics

The 26-year-old joined Barca from RB Leipzig in August but is only registered for the first half of the season

Events

Ruben Amorim hit by suspensions for final United game of 2024

Politics

Chelsea star Cole Palmer could become the first player to cost £200m after his stunning rise, as Jaap Stam questions why Manchester United did not sign him as a youngster

Politics

Shocking footage shows a police officer arresting an alleged child rapist, having worn a bushy camouflage suit to blend into the background to reach him across a field

Events