Including the airport's first-ever Wetherspoons
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A HUGE ITV quiz show is struggling to fill its studio audience – despite offering ‘VIP packages’.
Deal or No Deal bosses have been left in a panic as demand for tickets has appeared to plummet.
The hit game show – which was rebooted by ITV after a seven-year hiatus – relaunched last year.
Stephen Mulhern took over hosting duties from original Channel 4 presenter Noel Edmonds, who gave him his blessing to front the series.
After securing favourable ratings in its daytime slot, execs at ITV ordered a whopping 100 new episodes plus celeb specials.
However, an audience mole has told The Sun how a recording this week was only half full with audience members.
Filming for series two has changed from bustling MediaCity in Manchester to Maidstone Studios in Kent.
An insider said: “It’s a big issue that there’s just not as much as demand for the shows as before and perhaps the nostalgia has worn off.
“Some shows are being recorded with just a few rows filled.
“Applause Store, who handle tickets for major shows including Deal or No Deal, have tried enormously hard to put bums on seats including by offering VIP packages and free car parking.”
The Sun has contacted ITV for comment.
This week the ticketing company has sent numerous emails to fans offering them special ‘guest list’ access to the free shows to fill the studio.
Included in the VIP experience is free car parking as well as complimentary food and drink.
Deal or No Deal originally aired on Channel 4 between 2005 until its axe in 2016, with a whopping 2,985 episodes produced.
Latest combined viewing ratings released by ITV show the rebooted format has been streaming an incredible 14million times across all devices.
2005 saw it first launch with Noel Edmonds as host
2,985 episodes produced in its first run on Channel 4
16 celebrity specials aired across Channel 4 and ITV
12 series produced so far, with the 13th on the way
9 top prize winners to date, each scooping £250,000
IVAN PERISIC has joined a new club, just 76 days after signing for Croatian side Hajduk Split.
The winger, 35, spent the bulk of last season recovering from a devastating ACL injury.
He began the 2023-24 campaign as a Tottenham super-sub under Ange Postecoglou.
But following appearances in the first five Premier League games of last season, Perisic suffered a nasty injury in training – effectively ending his Spurs career.
In January, while still recovering, he moved to boyhood club Hajduk Split – determined to bring them silverware.
He initially moved on loan for the remainder of the season, but agreed a deal to make the switch permanent in the summer.
Following reported disagreements with boss Gennaro Gattuso, however, Perisic has now moved on to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.
Upon sealing the deal, the Croatia veteran admitted his excitement at contending for big trophies again, while revealing which former Inter Milan team-mate advised him on the move.
He said: “Ever since I became a free player, I was hoping for an option like this: a club and an environment that I liked and with which I could win trophies.
“(Denzel) Dumfries gave me advice and that only convinced me that PSV is the right move. I can’t wait to get started, give my all and win trophies.”
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Having recovered from his ACL injury, Perisic returned to action for Hajduk in April.
Speaking to Croatian outlet Dalmatinski, the former Spurs man claimed that he risked his career by returning so soon.
He said: “I came to Hajduk in the hope that together we will realise our dream and take the title.
“I had a good contract at Tottenham, and even when I was injured, I had an excellent offer from a big foreign club, where I would have fantastic conditions for rehabilitation and at least the same chance to play, as I had here.
“Instead, at the invitation of the club management and the fans, I chose a life without a family living abroad in the hope that I can help fight for the title and place in the group stage of the Champions League.
“Whatever condition I was in, at any moment, and even when I entered the game in the cup match against Dinamo, beyond the recommendations of all doctors, risking an injury that would end my career, I did my best to achieve a common goal.
“From the first day until today, I have adhered to agreements, contracts, set rules, but also spoken words, and twice after the Euros I rejected offers from serious clubs to help [Split] this summer.”
Following eight appearances for Hadjuk at the back end of last season, Perisic played at Euro 2024 for Croatia.
He then returned to Hadjuk on a permanent basis, with Gattuso being hired as the club’s new manager, and Ivan Rakitic arriving as another star signing.
After just four appearances this season, however, and having rejected an offer from Sevilla, Perisic was on the move once again.
He added: “Well, I guess it’s clear to everyone that I didn’t choose Hajduk and Split because of money or healthcare.
“In my desire to help, I put my health and my family on the back burner many times and I don’t regret it because I don’t know any other way, but on Sunday evening someone else stepped forward and decided that he no longer needed my help.
“As for last season, unfortunately, we failed. As hard as failure feels to me as it does to all the guys and all the fans who have been waiting for the title for almost 20 years, failure is the same part of football.
“Since I’m comfortable in my skin, I have been looking at Hajduk as something big and I will behave [professionally] in a moment that is extremely difficult for me and my family.
“I wish the club all the luck, victory on Thursday, placement in Europe and winning the title, regardless of whoever is at the club.”
Perisic will now have the opportunity to play in the Champions League for his new club.
PSV were in European action on Tuesday, but fell 3-1 at Juventus.
THE clock is ticking for thousands of people to give their retirement income a boost – but there’s still time to act.
Thousands of people can beef up their State Pension to the tune of £5,000, but they will need to take action fast or risk missing out on the uplift.
Those claiming the full flat-rate State Pension currently receive £221.20 a week, equal to £11,501 a year.
However, not everyone qualifies for this payout.
You need at least 10 years’ worth of National Insurance (NI) contributions to get anything at all, and 35 years to qualify for the full amount.
People who have taken career breaks – to raise children, for example – can find they have gaps in their NI record, which can reduce the amount of State Pension they can get.
However, you can buy credits to plug these holes, which is usually a financially savvy move.
The cost of buying contributions is currently £824.20 for one year and applies to all years from 2006/07 to 2022/23.
Buying one extra year of contributions would increase your pension pay out by £328.64 per year in retirement.
Therefore, you’d usually make your money back within three years of drawing your pension – or four years if you allow for basic rate income tax.
Over a typical retirement, just one extra year of NI contributions is estimated to be worth at least £5,000 in State Pension.
However, the rules on buying contributions are changing in April next year.
At the moment, you can make backdated contributions for missing years as far back as 2006.
But from April 5 2025, you will only be able to backdate for a maximum of six years.
Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners, said: “Taxpayers with any gaps in their state pension record currently have a golden opportunity to plug any shortfalls by backdating their NI contributions – but the clock is ticking as the deadline to take advantage of this one-off concession closes in less than seven months.
“Buying back missed years is a great way to bolster retirement income as the state pension provides a guaranteed monthly for the duration of your retirement with the sum paid subject to an annual cost-of-living bump up.”
You can check your state pension forecast and state pension age through the government’s Check your State Pension tool online at gov.uk/check-state-pension or through the HMRC app.
People below state retirement age can log in to the service using their personal tax account details – or set one up at gov.uk.
Through this tool, people can also choose which years they would like to fill and pay within the service too.
The cost of buying contributions is £824.20 for the years from 2006/07 to 2022/23. Or £907.40 for the tax year 23/24.
However, the cost is lower if you have already made some partial contributions in a particular year.
Ms Haine said: “Calculating whether to top up can be confusing and ultimately there is no point paying for more years than you need because you won’t get that money back,.
“Calling the Government’s Future Pension Service to double check how many years you can buy and whether voluntary contributions will add to your state pension is key for those considering such a move.”
You can call the Future Pension centre helpline on 0800 731 0175.
Before you buy NI contributions, you should also check if you have claimed all the free ones that you can…
You usually make NI contributions when you’re working, either through your PAYE salary, or through your tax return if you’re self-employed.
But if you’re not working, you can usually claim NI credits to fill your record and boost your state pension eligibility.
If you’re registered to receive child benefit for a child under the age of 12, you will get Class 3 credits automatically.
If your income is above the threshold to receive Child Benefit, it is still important to claim, but just ask that you are not paid the cash.
This way, you still receive the NI credit without having to pay back any money.
Child Benefit is worth just one NI credit, but parents can transfer between themselves and also to other family members providing care.
If you didn’t claim the benefit but did provide care to a child under 12 since 2011, you can fill out a CA9176 form on the government website to claim backdated Class 3 benefits.
If you’re on Universal Credit, you automatically get Class 3 NI credits.
If you receive Jobseeker’s Allowance and you’re in education or working 16 or more hours a week, you should get Class 1 NI credits automatically.
But if you’re unemployed and looking for work and not getting Jobseeker’s allowance, you’ll need to contact your nearest Jobcentre to apply to get the credits.
Anyone who receives Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Unemployability Supplement or Allowance will get Class 1 NI credits automatically.
If you’re not on ESA but would be eligible, then you should apply for the benefit so that you can also get the NI credits.
Anyone who gets Carer’s Allowance payments should get Class 1 credits automatically. If you’re in Scotland, you should get these if you qualify for Carer Support Payments.
If you’re receiving Income Support and providing substantial, regular care, you should get Class 3 credits automatically,
If you don’t get benefits but care for one or more sick or disabled people for 20 hours a week, you can apply for Class 3 Carer’s Credits, but you should also check that you’re receiving all the benefits you’re eligible for.
If you didn’t claim benefits at the time you were eligible, you may be able to backdate the NI contribution.
If you’re married to someone in the forces and you’ve been posted overseas since 2010 you can apply for Class 1 credits.
If you were posted overseas between April 1975 and 2010, you can apply for Class Three credits, as long as you reached state pension age on or after April 6, 2016.
If you need to apply for credits, or think you should be receiving them when you’re not, then you need to send a letter to HMRC.
The address to write to is: PT Operations North East England, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AN, United Kingdom.
You’ll need to include your NI number, say which years you’re applying for, and explain why you are eligible to get the credits.
NATIONAL Insurance is a tax on your earnings, or profits if you're self-employed.
These contributions make you eligible for things like the state pension and certain benefits.
You’ll usually pay National Insurance Contributions (NICs) when you’re over the age of 16 and earning a certain amount.
For example, if you earn £1,000 a week, you pay nothing on the first £242.
Earn over that and you pay 10% on the next £725 – so £72.50. Then you pay 2%o on the rest, so £33, which works out as 66p.
For the self-employed rates are slightly different.
You can also get something known as National Insurance in some circumstances when you’re not working, for example when you have kids and claim certain benefits.
NICs are usually taken automatically by your employer and paid to HMRC, so you don’t need to do anything.
You can see how much NICs you pay on your wage slip.
Anyone working for themselves usually has to pay NICs themselves when completing a self-assessment tax return.
ONE of Cristiano Ronaldo’s former Manchester United teammates has hinted that the legendary bagsman could make a spectacular return to Old Trafford.
Ronaldo’s second spell at United had a sour ending as the star saw his contract terminated by the club after a bombshell interview with Pier Morgan.
Ronaldo, who now plays his football at Al-Nassr, is still bagging the goals despite hurtling towards the age of 40.
And the 39-year-old veteran even confessed that he still loves the club in a recent interview with Rio Ferdinand.
But with things ending so badly during his 2022 exit and an ongoing war of words with current boss Erik ten Hag, a return to the Theatre of Dreams feels unlikely.
However, former United teammate Wes Brown has suggested that Ronaldo could return to the Manchester club one more time to try and make amends for how things were left.
Speaking to BoyleSports, Brown backed the Portuguese powerhouse to have a final swan song in some capacity in the future.
He said: “When it comes to Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Manchester United in some capacity you can never say never.
“Obviously when he left the second time we were all disappointed because he had been one of United’s best ever players.
“It was disappointing how it ended and I think he could return to try and make amends for the sour ending.
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“Even in his first season back at the club he scored over 20 goals. I think the exit was a bit over the top but for him to come back in some way. I’d love it.”
Ronaldo has taken aim at the current state of Man Utd in recent weeks, suggesting that the club needs to “rebuild everything”.
While he also appeared to slam Erik ten Hag for not having the right mentality to win things at United.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ronaldo said: “As I told you, Manchester, they need to rebuild everything, in my opinion.
“The coach, they say they cannot compete to win the League and Champions League.
“[As] Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the League or Champions League.
“You have to be, to mentally say, listen, maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try. You have to try.”
By JOSHUA HALL
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the Theatre of Dreams in 2021 after some 12 years away from the club where he first rose to fame.
It looked like a fairytale return for one of the games’ greatest ever players, but things soon turned sour at the Manchester club.
Ronaldo arrived for less than £20m and walked back into Premier League football like he had never left, netting 18 goals and registering three assists in his first league campaign back.
That run saw him top United’s list of scorers for the season thanks to hat-tricks against Spurs and Norwich and a number of crucial last minute goals.
But things took a turn in his second season as he fell out of favour after the arrival of new boss Erik ten Hag.
Despite his impressive return in the previous season many fans and media outlets were claiming that his overall influence on the team was detrimental to results.
Things got even worse when Ronaldo refused to come on against Spurs in October 2022, prompting Ten Hag to drop him from the squad for the following game against Chelsea.
While it was also reported that Ronaldo had left Old Trafford early following the interaction with his boss.
The final straw was an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which Ronaldo took aim at Ten Hag, Man Utd’s culture and hinted about a potential exit.
That exit shortly followed as Ronaldo saw his contract with Man Utd terminated in November 2022.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner penned a mega money deal with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, bringing an end to a tumultuous second spell with Man Utd.
Ten Hag launched a spikey rebuttal to the quotes, suggesting that Ronaldo is the one saying that Man Utd aren’t good enough to compete for the biggest trophies.
He said: “He [Ronaldo] said that Manchester United can’t win the Premier League. He said this if you read the article very well.
Adding: “[It] doesn’t impact me, I know in the process where we are, where we’re going.”
Ten Hag and Ronaldo have history from Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford in 2022.
In fact, Ronaldo lasted less than half a season under the former Ajax boss when he played under him during his return to Man Utd.
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A Chinese national, Cai Yulong, who manages the Stone Steel Blue Mine in Zhombe, has been sentenced after facing three serious charges: murder, attempted murder, and assault of Zimbabwean mine workers. The High Court, sitting in Gokwe, delivered the verdict. The Incident: A Fatal Shooting at Black Hand 10 Mine The tragic events unfolded on […]
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