World Leaks

THE World Series of Darts Finals is taking place – and there is a strong field on display in the Netherlands.

A change in format has seen the number of competitors increase from 24 to 32.

Alamy

Luke Littler will take to the Oche in the Netherlands[/caption]

Teenage sensation Luke Littler is among the huge names in the field eyeing the mega £80,000 jackpot.

The likes of Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen will join the 17-year-old as PDC representatives.

SunSport has all the information you need ahead of the World Series of Darts Finals…

When is the World Series of Darts Finals 2024?

• The World Series of Darts Finals will begin on Friday, September 13.
• The tournament will run until Sunday, September 15.
• The AFAS Live will host.

How to watch the World Series of Darts Finals 2024

• The World Series of Darts Finals will be broadcast live on ITV4 in the UK.
• You can live steam all the action via the ITVX app/website.
• Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action by following SunSport’s live blog.

World Series of Darts Finals 2024 schedule

Friday, September 13 (6pm BST)
Boris Krcmar 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Damon Heta 6-5 Gabriel Clemens
Chris Dobey 6-5 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Raymond van Barneveld 6-0 Johan Engstrom
Luke Littler 6-5 Ross Smith
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Jonny Clayton
Luke Humphries 6-3 Haupai Puha
Danny Noppert 6-3 Gian van Veen

Saturday, September 14
Afternoon Session (12pm BST)
Keane Barry 0-6 Kevin Doets
Rhys Griffin 4-6 Jeff Smith
Daryl Gurney 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Gerwyn Price 6-2 Cameron Menzies
Peter Wright 6-1 Dave Chisnall
Rob Cross 6-2 Simon Whitlock
Wessel Nijman 6-1 Andrew Gilding
Michael Smith 6-5 Jose de Sousa

Evening Session (6pm BST)
Chris Dobey vs Boris Krcmar
Luke Littler vs Raymond van Barneveld
Luke Humphries vs Damon Heta
Michael van Gerwen vs Danny Noppert
Price/Menzies vs Gurney/van Duijvenbode
Wright/Chisnall vs Griffin/J Smith
Cross/Whitlock vs Barry/Doets
M Smith/De Sousa vs Nijman/Gilding

Sunday, September 15
Afternoon Session (12pm BST)
Quarter-Finals

Evening Session (6pm BST)
Semi-Finals & Final

World Series of Darts Finals 2024 – line-up

PDC representatives
Luke Littler
Gerwyn Price
Rob Cross
Luke Humphries
Michael van Gerwen
Michael Smith
Peter Wright
Dimitri Van den Bergh
Damon Heta
Andrew Gilding
Stephen Bunting

World Series Order of Merit Qualifiers
Gian van Veen
Boris Krcmar
Johan Engstrom
Jeff Smith
Kevin Doets
Raymond van Barneveld
Danny Noppert
Haupai Puha
Simon Whitlock

PDC Order of Merit Qualifiers
Dave Chisnall
Jonny Clayton
Ross Smith
Chris Dobey

Tour Card Holder Qualifiers
Wessel Nijman
Jose de Sousa
Keane Barry
Gabriel Clemens
Cameron Menzies
Daryl Gurney
Dirk van Duijvenbode
Rhys Griffin

BURNLEY ripped up the script to spoil Will Ferrell’s first visit to Elland Road to watch Leeds.

It was anything but a Hollywood spectacular for the world famous silverscreen actor, who along with a raft of other celebrity and sporting stars, is a minority shareholder of the club as part of the 49ers Enterprises.

PA

Will Ferrell’s first trip to Leeds ended in defeat[/caption]

Reuters

Luca Koleosho scored the only goal as Burnley won 1-0 at Elland Road[/caption]

But it was Luca Koleosho that stole show as he kicked off his birthday weekend by securing the three points for the Clarets in a match ex-Manchester United man Hannibal revelled in his role as the villain.

It should have been a blockbuster start – only Mateo Joseph blew his lines.

The Spaniard, 20, suffered a huge case of stage fright inside the opening minute after dispossessing Maxime Esteve on the halfway line but he could only fire wide after racing clean through.

Ilia Gruev tried his luck from distance but Leeds did look suspect to the counter and Zian Flemming had already beaten the offside trap in a warning sign before the breakthrough.

Manor Solomon slipped on the ball, and that resulted in Italian U21 winger Koleosho racing forward 60 yards on a long-busting run.

He then kept his composure to round it off with a clinical finish 24 hours before he turned 20.

Leeds, who saw Wilfried Gnonto denied by James Trafford, were screaming for a penalty when Manor Solomon went down from Joe Worrall’s challenge, but the Burnley defender’s brave tackle from behind paid off.

Amid the appeals, the linesman spotted Hannibal going face-first into Leeds star Ethan Ampadu head, but the act was only deemed worthy of a yellow.

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That made him public enemy No.1 with the locals, especially when Ampadu then required treatment after winning a hefty challenge on his nemesis.

It was all going Downhill for Leeds as Scott Parker’s boys acted like the Wedding Crashers on Ferrell’s big day.

But if Daniel Farke’s men were going down, they were determined to do it in a Blades of Glory and they flew out of the traps at the restart.

Joseph tried again, this time forcing Trafford into a diving save to push out his 25-yard effort.

With an hour on the clock the hosts had enjoyed 75 per cent of possession but just could not turn that dominance into a goal.

It was going to take a moment of magic, and it was Ampadu who nearly produced it.

However, Trafford did brilliantly to tip over the captain’s 20-yard effort.

Hannibal was not quite ready to let his team-mate take the limelight, and he could not resist winding up the south stand as he exited the stage.

The 21-year-old Tunisian threw up his hand and a single finger to signal the scoreline in reaction to the chorus of jeers, and then he threw in a fist-pump to the away fans for good measure.

Speaking of fists, Leeds were struggling to lay one on their opponents as the clock ticked down, and any momentum they had was sucked away when both Joe Rodon and Clarets captain Josh Brownhill received lengthy treatment following a clash of heads.

That meant they had eight minutes added time to make a comeback – but there was to be no grand finale despite the Clarets having defender Bashir Humphreys sent off for a second caution at the death.

A MAN has been killed after being hit by a police car as cops raced to an emergency.

Officers were responding to calls in Nuneaton when they hit a pedestrian in his 60s at around 8.45pm last night.

The tragedy unfolded on the B4113 Coventry Road, between the junction of Gipsy Lane and the Griff Roundabout.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the pedestrian was sadly pronounced dead at the scene after suffering a “serious head injury”.

Both police officers in the vehicle were unharmed.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC).

An investigation has been launched as “is standard practice with any death following police activity”, confirmed Warwickshire Police.

A spokesperson for the force said: “At around 8.45pm last night (Friday, 13 September), officers were travelling to an emergency incident in Nuneaton when their vehicle hit a pedestrian on the B4113 Coventry Road between the junction of Gipsy Lane and the Griff Roundabout.

“The pedestrian, a man in his 60s, sustained a serious head injury, and despite the best efforts of paramedics from the ambulance service, he sadly died at the scene.

“His next of kin has been informed and our thoughts remain with the man’s family and friends at this time.

“Neither of the officers in the police vehicle were injured.

“As is standard practice with any death following police activity, this has been referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), who have begun their independent investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“If you witnessed the incident, have dashcam footage of it, or information that could help with enquiries, please report this to us either via our website or by calling 101 quoting incident number 359 of 13 September.”

GIOVANNI Pernice sent a defiant message and shared a smiling photo just hours before the Strictly Come Dancing launch.

The professional dancer was dismissed by the BBC after six years due to accusations of mistreating his partner during rehearsals.

Instagram/biancaguacceroreal

Giovanni Pernice shared a smiling photo hours before the Strictly launch[/caption]

Getty

The star was dismissed by the BBC after six years over mistreatment claims.[/caption]

Giovanni has now turned to Instagram to share his excitement about his new show.

He posted about how thrilled he is to be part of the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing.

This comes just hours before tonight’s launch of Strictly.

Giovanni looked happier than ever as he posed for a series of selfies with his new show partner, Bianca Guaccero.

Having joined the Italian version of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle, he is set to team up with Bianca, who is both an actress and singer.

He captioned the joint post: “Sweaty but… happy, loaded, willing to give their best and ready to make you have fun and dream!

“September 28 is getting closer Are you ready to support us?”

One supportive fan commented: “So sad we have lost you here in UK on strictly but hope you win trophy as you deserve after an awful year.

Another added: “Gio you thoroughly deserve this opportunity to continue to shine and light up our days.”

A third penned: “Can’t tell you how much I’ll miss you on the UK show. Good luck for Strictly in Italy.”

Giovanni has also since revealed a massive 78-date UK tour just days before the results of the BBC misconduct probe was revealed.

Giovanni The Last Dance – kicks off in January in Hayes.

It will run until May, calling at areas including Stoke, Halifax, Blackpool and Salford.

The star posted a screen grab of the full listings on his Instagram page with the caption: “You know where to find me!! Book now.”

Giovanni was removed from Strictly UK after the BBC conducted an investigation following complaints from Strictly contestant Amanda Abbington, who reported mistreatment by the professional dancer.

Amanda branded Giovanni as “abusive, cruel and mean”.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday, Amanda said: “I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people.

“I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show.

“I know what happened in that room, it’s on video and I have no problem with anyone seeing that. It’s a duty of care that is needed.

“Rehearsal rooms should be a safe space, there is a duty of care and kindness, and that courtesy wasn’t extended to me on this job.

“I was being as amenable as possible and it wasn’t being reciprocated, that’s all.

“And I wanted to complain about it because I didn’t think it was fair — this is a publicly owned company.

“It’s insane what has happened to me, with the death threats and backlash. I know the BBC knew about Giovanni’s behaviour for years, people had complained about him and flagged his behaviour to producers in the past and nothing was done. It wasn’t an isolated experience with me. I should never ever have danced with him.

“I know what is on those tapes and I am not frightened of those tapes being seen. It goes way beyond treading on my toe. I know what happened and the fact he is blocking the tapes says a lot.”

Other stars have complained about the behaviour of Giovanni, 33, and fellow Italian Graziano Di Prima, and Amanda said: “I’m proud of the people who have come forward. Daring to say something is a big step for people. The BBC must have been turning a blind eye and the fact other people have come forward must mean there is something going on that is endemic.”

Instagram/biancaguacceroreal

Giovanni joined the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing[/caption]

Pixel8000

Earlier this year, Amanda Abbington reported mistreatment by Giovanni to the BBC[/caption]

Channel 4

She described Giovanni’s behavior as abusive and cruel[/caption]

The Boar's Head plant in Virginia at the center of a deadly listeria outbreak is indefinitely closing, the company announced on Friday.

Indian movie maker Soham Shah has slapped a lawsuit against the OTT platform Netflix, accusing the streaming giant of copying his 2009 film “Luck.” The federal lawsuit was filed against Netflix in New York, alleging that the Korean show ‘Squid Game’ on the platform is a blatant copy of his Hindi-language film. The lawsuit details …

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A CAR flipper has revealed how he saved a £500 Volvo hatchback from the scrap, serviced it, and listed it for almost £3,000.

Matt Goodwin of High Peak Autos in Romiley, Greater Manchester, catalogued his journey to fix the unloved vehicle.

YouTube

The 2007 Volvo C30 had done just over 91,000 miles when Matt bought it[/caption]

YouTube

His first impressions of the vehicle were very positive and he was surprised it was selling at such a low price[/caption]

YouTube

He managed to flip the ‘rare’ car and is looking at a four figure profit[/caption]

The 2007 dark blue Volvo C30 had been in line for the scrap before a viewer of Matt’s YouTube channel reached out to him about the car.

Matt then swooped in to nab the car at the eye-watering price of just £500 before he set about getting it fixed.

The exterior of the three-door car was in good nick with the only noticeable mark in the interior being a slightly damaged driver’s seat.

The 2.4L petrol automatic had done 91,787 miles at purchase and features a glass boot hood.

For why it was sold so cheaply, some viewers reckoned the previous owner was unnecessarily fearful over the engine warning light.

But Matt revealed in his YouTube video that the potentially terrifying warning light was only active due to a faulty O2 sensor which could easily be fixed.

Another issue with the vehicle, a strange sensation on the brakes, could only be solved by taking the hatchback to a Volvo specialist, however.

There they revealed that the car’s brake module was “fried completely” and had to be replaced.

The car flipper was very fond of the “rare” vehicle, and described it as “nice and small, easy to place, [and] easy to park”.

After the repairs, the car gained its 12 month MOT with no advisory items.

The total cost for the vehicle and its repairs came out to £1468.20.

This could be split down into:

• £500 for the car
• £120 for its transport from Leicestershire
• £217 for repairs with Matt’s mechanic
• £120 for seat repair
• £150 for valet and tint removal
• £346.20 for brake repair
• £15 for new number plates

Matt listed the vehicle for £2995 towards the end of summer and given it is no longer listed on High Peak Autos’ website, we can assume it was sold.

If it sold for its asking price, that gives Matt a hefty profit of £1526.80, more than three times the price he paid for the car.

Three of the bandits recently killed by the troops in Zamfara State have been identified to be among the killers of the late Sarkin Gobir, a traditional ruler in Sokoto, Isa Muhammad Bawa. Senator Shu’aibu Gwanda Gobir, the younger brother of the late monarch, confirmed this in a chat with our reporter. Senator Gobir said […]