66 m. ago The armed robber who went straight: John McAvoy was born into the criminal life. Here’s how he escaped it

His stepfather was a serious criminal. His uncle was one of the Brink’s-Mat heist gang. McAvoy followed them into crime – and into prison. Then one day in the gym he discovered the talent, drive, support and friendship that changed everything John McAvoy sat in a holding cell in Belmarsh prison, waiting to be processed, plotting his escape. It was 2007, he was 24, and he had been arrested for firearms offences and conspiracy to commit robbery. He knew he was facing a long stretch inside, having previously served three years for possession of a firearm. He also knew his only chance of running was through the hospital wing, so had spent the day lying to guards, pretending that he had sustained a concussion during his arrest. When the holding cell doors opened, he figured that’s where he was going. Instead, he was cuffed and led away to a high-security unit (HSU).When McAvoy laid eyes on the unit, the magnitude of his situation hit home. “I thought: ‘I’m not going to see daylight for a...

Events

96 m. ago Dear Coleen: I'm worried my friend is about to blow up her life for a fling

"She has a really nice husband and two young kids, but I don’t think she’s aware that she could lose it all."

Politics

3 h. ago PHOTO ESSAY: Indonesia’s village keeps tradition of life on sand

In the northeastern tip of Indonesia’s Madura Island, sand blankets front yards and even spills into the interior of homes.

Culture

5 h. ago Revealed: Manchester synagogue terrorist's 'Muzmatch' dating profile and vile messages sent to secret wife 

The Syria-born knifeman - who it was today revealed rang 999 during his deadly attack pledging allegiance to Islamic State - had a tangled love life and was married to at least three women simultaneously.

Events

6 h. ago Wayne Thiebaud review – staggering still lifes to make your mouth water

Courtauld Gallery, LondonThe pop pioneer’s paintings of sweets and cakes offer up a succulent and incredibly moreish slice of a long-lost American dreamYou’re not allowed to lick paintings in museums, which is cruel when you’re faced with something as mouthwateringly tempting as Wayne Thiebaud’s art. The American pop pioneer dedicated his long career to cakes, sweets and gumball machines, a visual world of treats and candies laid out in American diners and on deli counters, tempting viewers to commit the ultimate crime and take a big, juicy bite.But he didn’t just paint for the sake of getting you salivating. His work (here at the Courtauld in his first ever UK museum show) is both an ultraserious take on the material history of painting, a sort of update on the long legacy of the still life, and a deep dive into burgeoning consumerism and the capitalistic euphoria of the mass-produced, mid-century American dream. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Victoria Beckham ‘proved the fashion industry wrong’, former Vogue editor admits

Anna Wintour says she previously dismissed Victoria Beckham’s fashion venture as a ‘hobby’

Politics

6 h. ago Victoria Beckham reveals difficulty with eating disorder: ‘I was controlling my weight in an incredibly unhealthy way’

Former Spice Girls says tabloid scrutiny impacted her weight ‘in an incredibly unhealthy way’

Science

6 h. ago Subway reveals new dish involving classic full English and its perfect for hangovers

Subway has announced a limited edition Big Breakwich Spud to aid drowsy freshers students during their opening weeks of university

Politics

6 h. ago Real life TV star couple marry in incredible destination wedding – with Jonathan Bailey giving a speech

A REAL life TV star couple tied the knot in a stunning destination wedding. The loved-up newlywed couple first began their romance over a decade ago. Actors Sacha Dhawan and Anjili Mohindra got married in Tuscany, Italy. They met 12 years ago, getting engaged during a trip to Machu Picchu last year. The couple marked...

Politics

6 h. ago Florida man, 43, arrested and accused of pointing gun at group of kids for making waves near his boat

‘He’s an adult, he should know better,’ a witness told local news

Events

7 h. ago London Film Festival launches with Daniel Craig's third 'Knives Out' movie

London Film Festival launches with Daniel Craig's third 'Knives Out' movie  Reuters

Culture

7 h. ago South Lake Tahoe mayor reveals she embezzled money from local church and felt so guilty she tried to end her own life in shocking confession to local newspaper

South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace has not resigned and will attend an upcoming city council meeting, according to a city spokesperson

Events

7 h. ago Netflix's Victoria Beckham doc reveals Brooklyn's role and David feud bombshells

Victoria Beckham's new Netflix doc has a number of surprising moments and big revelations about her life and career and the series also hints at who didn't want to be involved

Events

7 h. ago Kate McCann's life after losing Madeleine from marriage and work to heartfelt rule

Madeleine McCann's parents Kate and Gerry have never given up hope of finding their daughter and continue to mark her birthday each year.

Politics

7 h. ago Millionaire model ditches glam life for ‘simple’ farm routine with goats, cows and chickens that ‘keep her sane’

A MILLIONAIRE model has swapped her glam lifestyle for a “simple” farm life where she tends to her baby goats, cows and chickens. Sophie Rain is one of the wealthiest OnlyFans models on the planet, who claims to have earned £61m ($82m) from her saucy work. Despite having the cash to splash on luxury ventures,...

Politics

8 h. ago Le Tissier realises WCL dream to earn Manchester United win against Vålerenga

It was hardly thrilling and it was not the entertaining opening to life in the Women’s Champions League that Manchester United might have hoped for but, more important than that, the English side got up and running with three points as they beat Vålerenga in a low-key affair in Leigh.Maya Le Tissier’s penalty kick was enough to beat the Norwegian side on Marc Skinner’s team’s debut in the league phase on a night that will enter the club’s history books but will not live long in the memory for drama nor excitement. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Aubrey Plaza recalls grandmother’s advice about ‘moving forward’ after husband Jeff Baena’s death

Plaza’s husband died in January aged 47

Events

8 h. ago ‘I want the miracle SO desperately’: Family heartbreakingly celebrates Christmas early as 9

Brie Bird, the 9-year-old whose battle with cancer has touched nearly one million people online, celebrated Christmas with her family one final time at her home

Politics

8 h. ago Why Anna Kournikova swapped fame for family as tennis sex symbol falls pregnant with fourth child at age 44

She was once the most Googled woman on earth, but these days former tennis pro Anna Kournikova leads a quiet life away from the spotlight.

Society

9 h. ago Louis Tomlinson's heartbreaking promise to dead mum – that still drives him today

Former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson has been open about suffering grief throughout his life, following the death of his mum in 2016 and the death of his sister in 2019

Events