By GETHIN HICKS, REPORTER

Published: 21:12 EDT, 2 April 2026 | Updated: 22:24 EDT, 2 April 2026

Cathy Newman appeared visibly upset during her final night on Channel 4 as she interviewed the parents of a woman who took her own life after visiting a suicide forum online. 

Having spent 20 years reporting for the broadcaster, Newman said goodbye to Channel 4 on Thursday evening with her final news bulletin.

During the show the 51-year-old spoke to the parents of Grace Pritchard, who took her own life at the age of 23 in August 2025.

She died after taking a substance which her family believe she purchased through an online forum. 

Grace’s parents, Mary and Bob, are calling for Ofcom to crackdown on the websites which are supposed to be blocked, but are routinely accessed through VPNs. 

In her first interview since Grace’s death, Mary described her daughter as ‘bright, witty and just perfect’. 

Bob told the presenter: ‘It’s like you live your lives up until the day Grace died and now our lives are just so much different.’

The parents revealed that after struggling with anxiety as a teenager, Grace turned to online forums for support. 

Cathy Newman appeared visibly upset during her final night on Channel 4 as she interviewed the parents of a woman who took her own life after visiting a suicide forum online

Newman spoke to Bob and Mary Pritchard, who lost their daughter Grace to suicide in August 2025

Grace passed away after taking a substance which her parents believe she purchased from an online suicide forum

‘We got a knock on the door from the police last April,’ the girl’s mother said. ‘They said that they had seized a package that was addressed to Grace – and it contained a regulated poison.

‘Grace said that she ordered it because she felt low, but said that she didn’t feel that way anymore.’

It was just four months later that Grace’s mother found her dead in the family home. 

Recalling the tragedy, she continued: ‘We thought she had turned a corner, she seemed to be enjoying her time at home. 

‘It’s just ingrained in our heads. One of Grace’s dogs was just looking down from the top of the stairs, which was not like her. 

‘So I went up to check for Grace, and that’s when I found her. I just screamed for Bob. There was nothing we could do.’

Over 20 years @Channel4News I’ve been around the world – to the Congolese jungle, on the trail of paedophiles in South Africa and Kenya – and closer to home down a sewer in Soho. I’ve shared tears & memories today with incredible colleagues. See you ⁦@SkyNews⁩ at 7 pic.twitter.com/M8ixPtVu9T

— Cathy Newman (@cathynewman) April 2, 2026

The forum through which Grace allegedly purchased the substance that killed her is responsible for around 135 deaths in the UK, according to Channel 4. 

As Bob paid tribute to the 23-year-old, Cathy appeared on the verge of tears before closing out the interview. 

Holding back tears himself, Bob said: ‘She was a great pal. She was really witty and really good fun. I’ll miss her forever.’

The show marked Newman’s last at Channel 4 before departing to join Sky News, where she will present the broadcaster’s news coverage from 7pm. 

Newman spent two decades reporting for Channel 4 and after her final show, the presenter’s colleagues thanked her for her efforts. 

‘Cathy, thank you and good luck. Love from all of us at Channel 4,’ a tribute read.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit

By ISABELLA MACHIN, REPORTER

Published: 06:07 EDT, 14 March 2026 | Updated: 10:18 EDT, 14 March 2026

An asylum hotel migrant who terrified a blind woman when he burst into her home has been cleared by police due to a lack of evidence. 

The man, who is in his early twenties, was staying at the four-star Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf, east London, where anti-migrant protests took place last summer.  

He entered the woman’s house last August after being followed by a group of men, who told him to ‘go back to the hotel’ where the protestors were gathered outside. 

Family members of the woman said she was left ‘traumatised’ by the incident and ‘feared for her life’, adding that earlier that day she had been in a coma. 

Footage circulated on social media capturing the moment the ‘scary’ migrant was held by members of the public and urged to return to Britannia Hotel, which was a five-minute walk away. 

A photo taken in the aftermath captured the man staring ahead at members of the public as the police detained him. 

The Metropolitan Police had previously said no offences had been identified, yet changed their opinion after viewing CCTV footage, leading to the man being arrested on suspicion of common assault.

A photo taken in the aftermath captured the man staring ahead at members of the public as the police detained him after he terrified a blind woman by bursting into her home

The man, who is in his early twenties, was staying at the four-star Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf, east London, where anti-migrant protests took place last summer

The man, who is no longer living at the Britannia Hotel, has now been cleared due to a lack of evidence. 

The hotel is still open to migrants who cross the Channel on small boats. 

Around 41,500 people arrived in the UK by small boats during 2025, according to the Migration Observatory. 

The daughter of the blind woman, Channay Augustus, pleaded guilty to affray last year after she stormed the migrant hotel with a meat cleaver, having discovered the man inside her mother’s flat.

Augustus, then 22, was part of a group of around 20 people who allegedly tried to barge into the hotel on the evening of August 13. 

Augustus appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court, London, by video link, when she pleaded guilty to affray and having an article which had a blade or was sharply pointed, namely the meat cleaver, in a public place outside the migrant hotel.

She pleaded not guilty to threatening two hotel security guards with the meat cleaver and not guilty to assaulting an emergency worker. 

Her trial is set for June this year. 

Hollyoaks is set to grant yet another fan wish as a brand new family are all set to rock up in the eponymous village – and it’s safe to say they waste little time in making a splash, with the stars warning viewers to ‘buckle up’.

Meet the Keanes.

Fresh images show the newcomers packing up a removal van as they prepare for a new life in the Chester-based village – and they’re very much giving off good vibes and great dynamics.

The first stars announced as part of this long-awaited new family have already filmed their debut scenes for the Channel 4 soap and they’ve done so on-location, which will surely make them ones to remember.

If you’re a fan of the soaps – and I imagine that you are if you’re reading this – then you might just recognise the actors set to take Hollyoaks by storm, with Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden playing the patriarch of the clan alongside Coronation Street stars Rebecca Ryan and Lewis Walton.

Matthew, who starred as David Metcalfe in the ITV soap for 17 years, said of his casting: ‘I’m so excited to finally share that I’m joining Hollyoaks as part of a brand-new family arriving in the village.

‘It’s an absolute privilege to step into this world and be part of something so iconic. From the moment I read the scripts, I knew this was going to be something special.

‘I can’t wait for the audience to meet them and see how they turn a few heads along the way… it’s going to be a ride, buckle up.’

Rebecca, meanwhile, played Adam Barlow’s ex Lydia Chambers on Coronation Street between 2021 and 2022, as well as Debbie Gallagher in long-running Channel 4 series Shameless.

Discussing her new role, she said: ‘I am so excited to be joining the cast of Hollyoaks.

‘My character is feisty and a bit of a firecracker but fiercely loyal. I am so excited for everyone to meet her. I am having the best time so far and can’t wait for her story to unfold.’

The third cast member set to be introduced is Lewis Walton, who is best known for having played the role of young Mick in a flashback episode of Coronation Street.

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Coincidentally, the one episode of Corrie that Lewis featured in also starred Brook Debio, who recently joined Hollyoaks as Ant Hutchinson.

On his Hollyoaks alter-ego, Lewis said: I’m thrilled to be joining the Hollyoaks cast. My character is charismatic, sporty and someone who’s always been the fun, positive presence in the room.

‘He’s incredibly close to his family and determined to follow in his dad’s footsteps, while chasing big ambitions of his own, especially when it comes to sport.

‘But life doesn’t always go to plan, and an unexpected challenge will force him to dig deeper than ever before…’.

Consider us intrigued.

Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you.

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Channel boat migrants are being waved on to British soil without strict security checks when they disembark, a Daily Mail investigation can reveal.

In a glaring lapse, hundreds of migrants arriving illegally on the Kent coast from France in the past month have been whisked through less than half an hour after stepping ashore.

Our investigation has found a lack of rigorous vetting by Border Force and the intelligence services which is designed to weed out suspected foreign criminals or potential terrorists coming in on trafficking gangs’ boats.

The Home Office has temporarily switched the Kent arrival port for boat migrants from Dover to Ramsgate, 20 miles away, opening what whistleblowers have suggested is a ‘dangerous’ gap in security.

The Daily Mail timed the movement of migrants who arrived in Ramsgate after being picked up mid-Channel by the Border Force vessels Typhoon, Defender and Volunteer since the beginning of February.

From there, hired coaches take them three miles to a processing centre in Manston.

On Tuesday, the time between their disembarkation from Typhoon to arrival at the Manston camp was 38 minutes.

The migrants were at the port, where they handed in their lifejackets, for 27 minutes before being let into the UK. They were given fresh clothes, medical wipes, a check for weaponry with a hand scanner and were then packed off to Manston.

Channel boat migrants (pictured on Wednesday) are being waved on to British soil without strict security checks when they disembark, a Daily Mail investigation can reveal

Migrants disembark from a Border Force vessel in Ramsgate port on February 25, 2026

Videos posted online show migrants arriving by boats to the UK 

On February 9, Defender brought in migrants at 9.50am. At 10.20am they left the port, arriving 13 minutes later at Manston processing centre – a total of 43 minutes. 

The Volunteer berthed later that day, with migrants disembarking at 10.58am, before leaving on a coach 24 minutes later and arriving in Manston at 11.42am – 44 minutes in total. 

The new arrivals at the camp, almost all illegal entrants, stay for up to three days for fingerprinting, identification and security interviews.

The interviews, we were told by those recently arrived, can last for just 45 minutes.

They are then sent to migrant hotels or Home Office properties around the country.

Manston is said by the Home Office to be a secure camp. But a whistleblower warned: ‘We know of cases where migrants have disappeared, been picked up by relatives and even visited the local McDonald’s. It is not a prison, nor meant to be.’

By contrast, those at Dover got dry clothes, were screened for illnesses and faced questions about their identity, according to the Home Office – a process that could take each contingent hours before they were taken to Manston.

It was designed to root out those with knives, guns, criminal records, or links to terrorism. 

A whistleblower said: ‘Many were undocumented, completely anonymous. They often throw away their passports in France or during their journey. No one really knows who they are or what their intentions might be. It is potentially hazardous.’

People rescued during attempts to cross the English Channel by small boat are temporarily being processed through the port in Ramsgate 

Migrants can be seen travelling by small boat across the English channel 

After being processed they are then sent to migrant hotels or Home Office properties around the country

Some 74 migrants arrived in Ramsgate on Tuesday, the first since February 9, bringing the total this year to 1,604

The Home Office has temporarily switched the Kent arrival port for boat migrants from Dover to Ramsgate, 20 miles away, opening what whistleblowers have suggested is a ‘dangerous’ gap in security

Yesterday at 6.30am the Border Force vessel Ranger brought in a group who had set off from France soon after midnight. Following brief checks, they left Ramsgate on a coach less than half an hour later. There were no security interviews.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: ‘The Government must ensure proper checks are done on all these illegal immigrants. 

‘We have no idea who they are or where they come from. They are mostly young men. Many commit sexual offences and crimes in the UK.’

Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman, said: ‘Every individual arriving illegally must be immediately detained and deported. Anything less puts public safety at risk.’

The Home Office said: ‘Security‑check processes have not been affected by this temporary relocation, and all arrivals continue to be processed in the usual way.’

Some 74 migrants arrived in Ramsgate on Tuesday, the first since February 9, bringing the total this year to 1,604. 

Yesterday, more than 400 arrived in the busiest Channel crossing this year, according to estimates, which would push the total since January 1 over 2,000.

By REBECCA CAMBER, CRIME AND SECURITY EDITOR and JON BRADY, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

Published: 05:03 EST, 24 February 2026 | Updated: 05:15 EST, 24 February 2026

Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to fresh charges of rape and sexual assault.

The 50-year-old, who is based in Florida, was at Southwark Crown Court this morning to deny the offences, which relate to alleged incidents in 2009.

He is alleged to have raped a woman sometime between February 7 and March 1 and to have sexually assaulted another between August 31 and December 1.

Brand, who flew back from the US for the hearing, spoke only to confirm his name and to enter his not guilty pleas from the dock.

He is due to face trial later this year in relation to the charges. 

He arrived at Southwark Crown Court this morning in a black Mercedes-Benz, wearing a white wide-brimmed hat, a tiger-print shirt open to the midriff, pinstripe trousers and a large grey overcoat.

The former comedian, who said he found religion in early 2024, also carried a copy of the Bible with several bookmarks hanging out the top.

The former presenter and actor is already facing one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women.

He appeared in court in May last year to plead not guilty to those five charges.

The two new charges on which he pleaded relate to two additional women. 

Russell Brand outside Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday morning, where he is set to enter pleas to charges of rape and sexual assault

 Brand already faces a trial regarding five other charges of rape and sexual assault this summer

The born-again Christian carried a copy of the Bible as he walked into court from the back of a Mercedes-Benz

Detectives began investigating Brand in September 2023 after receiving a number of allegations, which came after reporting by The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

The original incidents are said to have occurred between 1999 and 2005.

Brand already stands accused of raping a woman in a hotel in 1999 after they met that day at a theatrical event following the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth.

He is also alleged to have raped a woman working in television whom he met in a Soho bar in 2004, accused of grabbing her breasts before pulling her into a toilet and forcing her to perform a sex act.

Another woman claims she was indecently assaulted by Brand, who grabbed her arm and attempted to drag her into a male lavatory at a television station in 2001.

The presenter was working for Channel 4 on Big Brother’s Big Mouth between 2004 and 2005 when he is said to have carried out the final assault on a radio station worker.

Born-again Christian Brand denied the charges in a video posted online shortly after he was initially charged last year.

He told viewers: ‘When I was young and single, before I had my wife and family… I was a fool, man. I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict, and an imbecile.

‘But what I never was was a rapist. I have never engaged in non-consensual activity.’

A four-week trial is scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court this summer in relation to the five original charges.

Brand was married to Katy Perry from October 2010 until July 2012; he is now married to Laura Gallacher – sister of sports presenter Kirsty – with whom he has two children. 

This is a breaking story – more to follow. 

Married at First Sight is unleashing an All Stars version, combining contestants from the UK and Australia who didn’t find love the first time around.

As if the idea of marrying someone you’ve never met before wasn’t challenging enough, there’s now the added element that they’ll be from halfway across the world.

In the brand new 24-episode series called Second Marriage at First Sight, four legends from MAFS UK and four from MAFS Australia will be paired up with an unknown partner from the opposite country.

The couples may have to navigate cultural differences and the eventual location-based decision on where to settle if they find love.

They’ll be forced to make calls about their jobs, homes, families and friends, as they weigh up whether to risk it all for love.

Second Marriage at First Sight will start on British soil, before the couples jet off to the land down under to meet friends and family in the Southern Hemisphere.

Many fans on X were delighted with the news and can’t wait for it to hit our screens. @superbadiuk wrote: ‘Omg when will it air?’

Currently, we don’t know when the series will be coming to Channel 4.

@srslycereal is already thinking about future crossovers: ‘When does Canada get this? Lol.’

Both UK and Australian versions of the social experiment have been going since 2015, providing us with some iconic moments over the last decade.

The changes made to the Channel 4 hit show haven’t been welcomed by everyone. @aidoo_andrea wasn’t so sure about the switch up in format: ‘No no no. Keep it as it is.’

MAFS UK is produced by CPL, and its CEO explained some of the reasoning behind their decision to combine cultures: ‘Research shows people in Australia have more successful and enduring relationships with Britons than any other nationality, so we are genuinely hopeful that our brave singles can finally find the love they have been looking for.’

Head of Reality Entertainment for Channel 4, Steve Handley, said he thinks it will be their ‘greatest love story yet’.

He explained: ‘Everyone deserves a second chance at love and this time they’re saying ‘I do’ to a stranger on the other side of the world, risking absolutely everything for another shot at getting it right.’

Married at First Sight UK and Married at First Sight Australia is available to watch on Channel 4.

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