In this Monday’s Mirror Daily Digest, we’ve pulled together the biggest stories of the day from Gary Lineker’s shock early departure from the BBC to Starmer’s new deal with the EU and Meghan Markle’s unseen snaps
Welcome to the Mirror’s Daily Digest, where we’ll be pulling together all the best stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Sport teams and more. This Monday, we’re featuring everything from Gary Lineker’s shock departure from the BBC to Starmer’s new UK-EU deal and Meghan Markle’s anniversary post for Prince Harry.
Yesterday evening, news broke that iconic BBC sports host Gary Lineker had quit the BBC amid backlash to a social media post on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Elsewhere, our politics team have been digging through the detail of Starmer’s new EU-UK deal and our royal team have been looking into Meghan’s Instagram post to commemorate her seventh anniversary with Harry.
Gary Lineker quits BBC: MOTD host statement in full, what he posted, salary complaints
Following the shock news that Gary Lineker would be quitting in the wake of another scandal, our sports team have been bringing live updates on the latest information throughout this Wednesday. Lineker, 64, has left the TV channel early amid the backlash to a social media post on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The former England striker became an iconic BBC sports presenter, serving as Match of the Day’s longest presenter of all time after first anchoring the highlights show in 1999. He had been due to take charge of his final episode of the show on the final day of the current Premier League season, though he had signed a contract extension to continue working on live football coverage.
Lineker, who hosted FA Cup final coverage on Saturday, was due to be the face of the BBC’s coverage of the competition next season. He had been due to keep going until after the 2026 World Cup, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Read the full story here.
UK-EU deal explained – e-gates, passports, fishing and what it really means for migration numbers
This morning, news broke that the UK and the EU had reached a landmark deal covering a range of measures on trade, migration, law enforcement and travel. Keir Starmer has since branded the agreement – signed as part of the PMs ‘reset’ with Europe – a “win-win”.
The PM declared that “Britain is back” after months of sometimes strained negotiations with Brussels, which carried on through the night. He urged the country to move on from “stale old debates and political fights” as he unveiled a major reset of relations with Europe, the country’s biggest trading partner.
There were breakthroughs on security and defence, law enforcement, trade, and encouraging measures to tackle illegal migration. The Government also secured a deal which is expected to shorten queues for British travellers in Europe after years of misery. But compromises on fishing in British waters have already sparked a fierce backlash.
Read the full story here.
Meghan Markle shares unseen snaps of Harry and kids as she marks wedding anniversary
Meghan Markle has shared a selection of never-before-seen photos as she and Prince Harry celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary today. The Duchess of Sussex took to Instagram to post a noticeboard showing pictures throughout her and Harry’s relationship, including intimate snaps of them on holiday, pictures of Meghan pregnant and even never-before-seen snaps of their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Accompanying the post, she wrote: “Seven years of marriage. A lifetime of stories. Thanks to all of you (whether by our side, or from afar) who have loved and supported us throughout our love story – we appreciate you. Happy anniversary!”
Harry and Meghan tied the knot seven years ago in a fairytale ceremony at Windsor Castle. Back then, they were seen as a couple who could help to take the monarchy into the modern age and certainly appeared to hit the ground running.
Read the full story here.
Bella May Culley hates Georgia prison food and wants to come home, lawyer says
Suspected Brit drug smuggler Bella May Culley has complained about her medical care behind bars in Georgia and wants to go home, a lawyer says. The 18-year-old, who told a court she is pregnant, vanished in Thailand before turning up in Georgia where she faces life in jail after allegedly importing cannabis.
Now a celebrity lawyer who once represented speedboat killer Jack Shepherd says she has visited Bella in prison. Mariam Kublashvili described the British teenager as “very open” and “charming”. Bella apparently dislikes what she is being fed in prison and requested fruit and warmer clothing. And the teenager, from Billingham on Teesside, “would very much like to go home”, according to the lawyer.
Kublashvili – who has appeared on Georgia’s version of Strictly – told how she offered her services to Bella pro bono at their half an hour meeting on Monday.
Read the full story here.
Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones’ friendship ‘blossoms into a deeper connection’
This afternoon, our showbiz team shared the claims that Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones’ close friendship is developing into a deeper connection. The single stars have both had their hearts broken after Gethin’s engagement to Katherine Jenkins was called off, and after Helen split from ex-husband Richie Myler back in 2022.
They were spotted leaving the BAFTAs together last weekend, and got tongues wagging as they laughed together at the bash. Now it has been reported that they are both growing close and there are suggestions that sparks are starting to fly between them.
Mirror Online have approached reps for the stars. Welshman Gethin has not given up hope of finding the one but has been single since 2023 having dated First Dates star Cici Coleman two years ago.
Read the full story here.
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