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Author: News Desk
Talking Europe devotes a special programme to levelling up – efforts to reduce inequalities and disparities in the European Union. Featuring extracts from our own reporting from around the continent, we take a comprehensive view of the EU’s cohesion policy with Elisa Ferreira, the Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms. She insists that levelling up “has really worked”, but says that “this does not mean that everything is perfect”. She also urges member states to reflect on the political cost of the continuing imbalances between European regions.
Wild swimming in the UK: the top 20 places you must visit It’s one of the most widely popular hobbies in recent years, especially when the warmer months approach, is cold water swimming (also known as wild swimming). Many have reported a benefit to both physical and mental health and taking an ice-cold dip has become so popular in the UK, the government recently added four new spots – in Rutland, Devon and Suffolk – bringing the number of wild swimming areas to 424. A designated wild swimming spot means the water quality will be regularly monitored, providing peace of…
It was only 17 years. Easy to forget about.
‘Questions have to be asked!’
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Dara O Briain had to cancel a comedy gig in Bedford after the venue was flooded this week.
The Irish comedian and former Mock The Week host shared a video with his Twitter followers on Thursday evening showing a deluge in the sound and lighting control room at the Corn Exchange.
O Briain, 51, was forced to make the announcement less than an hour before the latest stop on his So, Where Were We? tour was due to start at 8pm.
He wrote: ‘Bedford! This was the sound and lighting control room in the Corn Exchange about 15 minutes ago, so we’ve had to cancel the show tonight.
‘We will try to re-arrange so keep in touch with the venue!’
The comedian, who previously had to cancel a performance in Woking when the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull erupted in 2010, said his latest gig had been sold out.
Dara O Briain had to cancel his gig due to the flooding (Picture: Twitter/@daraobriain)
We’re not sure anyone could blame him! (Picture: Twitter/@daraobriain)
Dara made the announcement an hour before the show was due to start (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Staff at Bedford Corn Exchange, a Grade II-listed building, wrote on Facebook: ‘Due to extensive flooding of the venue we have had to sadly cancel the Dara O Briain show this evening.
‘All customers will receive information in due course regarding a reschedule date. We are very sorry for the inconvenience regarding this unfortunate incident.’
Dara previously fronted Mock The Week for 17 years until it was decommissioned in August 2020, with the final episode airing in October.
Dara hosted Mock The Week for 17 years until it was axed last year (Picture: BBC/Angst TV)
The half-hour panel programme featured two teams of comedians taking satirical swipes at current news, pop culture, and world events through a combination of stand-up comedy and improvised games.
O’Briain confirmed the axe last summer, sarcastically saying the ‘UK has finally run out of news’.
‘The storylines were getting crazier and crazier – global pandemics, divorce from Europe, novelty short-term prime ministers,’ he said. ‘It couldn’t go on.
‘And so, regretfully, we are closing the doors on Dara and Hugh’s Academy for Baby Comedians.
‘We just couldn’t be more silly than the news was already. Huge thanks to all our guests over the years, so many of whom went on to huge successes of their own, and never write or call. It was a joy!’
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If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Dara Ó Briain agrees criticism of Mock The Week’s lack of diversity was ‘bang on’
MORE : Dara Ó Briain closes final Mock The Week episode with savage dig at government
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