hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. you're watching the context on bbc news. and was it sam or wham? we find out who's topped the uk

christmas charts for 2023. millions of people are on the move across the uk as the christmas getaway begins. there have been long queues at the port of dover after a surge in demand for ferries caused by yesterday's eurotunnel strike in france. and road and rail travel is also heavy, with more than 13 millionjourneys predicted between today and sunday. here's our transport correspondent katy austin. the christmas getaway is in full swing after a very bumpy start. train services have been recovering after yesterday's severe disruption. these passengers at leeds were travelling hopefully. i was glad that i wasn't going back last night, so i had friends that were going from euston and everything was kind of chaotic, so... a little bit stressed, cos see if these trains get cancelled,

not sure if my train's going to be cancelled or not, so... now that i've looked, it's all right. there have been long queues at dover's ferry ports, partly put down to a higher demand after a strike at eurotunnel yesterday, which also affected eurostar. in northern ireland, the latest in a series of strikes has brought public transport to a halt. across the country, millions of people are driving to visit friends and family today and tomorrow. predicting saturday will be . the busiest day for travel over the christmas period. if you're planning on driving longer than you usually do, _ it's always good advice to check your vehicle l over before you set off. and have essentials in the car, i as well, should the worst happen. drivers got a musical welcome at this service station in gloucestershire. at another on the m1 in west yorkshire, people's journeys had mostly been smooth. all right, yeah. halfway, so... it's a bit windy, - but relatively clear.

sheffield was a bit busy. there were roadworks. off to see the family for christmas, and i thought i'd rather go today than tomorrow when there'll be more traffic. where are you guys off to? scarborough. and who are you seeing in scarborough? nana! on the railway, engineering work and upgrades mean some disruption over the next week or so. for example, there'll be no trains in or out of london paddington station between christmas eve and the 27th of december. however you're getting about, the traditional seasonal advice stands — check before you travel. katy austin, bbc news. let's bring in our panel. it feels like we discussed this every year, and every year there is a logjam on the roads and delays over their railways and airports. now this year's delays in the uk are a combination of factors, a little bit of weather and also engineering

works and things, and some people would wonder why they timed it this time of year. would wonder why they timed it this time of year-— time of year. they timed it this time of year. they timed it this time of year. they timed it this time of year — time of year. they timed it this time of year because _ time of year. they timed it this time of year because there - time of year. they timed it this time of year because there are| time of year. they timed it this | time of year because there are a few people travelling to commute and things, so some of the trains and transport leaks are unusual most of the times, except for the weekend before christmas when the entire world is trying to use these things and finding that when some fourth century theologians decided almost at random that 25 december should be the day we celebrate jesus�*s birthday, that was also the one time of year when it was almost impossible to get any kind of transport working efficiently because it's wet and there leaves, there's snow and winds, and everyone is miserable in the northern hemisphere, that doesn't help. cover all that stuff together in the fact that someone has decided to say "you've got move all around the country on 25 december," which is the worst part of year anyways, and we do this every year, i've been a

journalist for nearly 30 years and every single christmas, travel counts, it'sjust every single christmas, travel counts, it's just the every single christmas, travel counts, it'sjust the rule. you every single christmas, travel counts, it'sjust the rule. counts, it's 'ust the rule. you said eve one counts, it's 'ust the rule. you said eveenery is— counts, it'sjust the rule. you said everyone is miserable _ counts, it'sjust the rule. you said everyone is miserable but - counts, it'sjust the rule. you said everyone is miserable but your . everyone is miserable but your comments raised a laugh with brian, i've spent many a christmas and festive season all the wrong way at chicago 0'hare airport —— runway. when i lived in the us it was usually plain delays, i guess that's because it's a much bigger country and fewer people travelling via train, as well.— and fewer people travelling via train, as well. , , , ., train, as well. the delays this year will be everywhere, _ train, as well. the delays this year will be everywhere, they're - train, as well. the delays this yearj will be everywhere, they're talking about _ will be everywhere, they're talking about trains being delayed, you'll have record air travel, the holiday season_ have record air travel, the holiday season is— have record air travel, the holiday season isjust a special time of year, _ season isjust a special time of year. you — season isjust a special time of year, you have to endure a lot to spend _ year, you have to endure a lot to spend it — year, you have to endure a lot to spend it with family. i think i have some _ spend it with family. i think i have some family that's travelling up to 18 hours— some family that's travelling up to 18 hours to come see me. so we all suffer_ 18 hours to come see me. so we all suffer through it, every year we seem _ suffer through it, every year we seem to — suffer through it, every year we seem to be breaking records, but every— seem to be breaking records, but every year— seem to be breaking records, but every year we seem to be happy to

come _ every year we seem to be happy to come together. so i'll take what i can get, — come together. so i'll take what i can get, i— come together. so i'll take what i can get, i guess. just come together. so i'll take what i can get. i gum— can get, i guess. just looking at the forecast _ can get, i guess. just looking at the forecast for _ can get, i guess. just looking at the forecast for various - can get, i guess. just looking at the forecast for various parts i can get, i guess. just looking at the forecast for various parts of| the forecast for various parts of the forecast for various parts of the us, there's quite a few storms that have been forecasted. i remember once driving from washington, dc all the way to hell, michigan on very icy roads to get to a story there. people do and it's quite dangerous. it’s a story there. people do and it's quite dangerous.— quite dangerous. it's extremely dangerous. _ quite dangerous. it's extremely dangerous, our— quite dangerous. it's extremely dangerous, our ice _ quite dangerous. it's extremely dangerous, our ice storms - quite dangerous. it's extremely dangerous, our ice storms are i quite dangerous. it's extremely . dangerous, our ice storms are very dangerous, — dangerous, our ice storms are very dangerous, we have this thing called black ice _ dangerous, we have this thing called black ice which people don't seem to understand _ black ice which people don't seem to understand if they've not driven through — understand if they've not driven through it _ understand if they've not driven through it. we have nor'easter is here _ through it. we have nor'easter is here on— through it. we have nor'easter is here on the — through it. we have nor'easter is here on the eastern seaboard where your best _ here on the eastern seaboard where your best thing to do is to stay at home _ your best thing to do is to stay at home and — your best thing to do is to stay at home and pray that your power doesn't — home and pray that your power doesn't go out. i know we are ahead of the _ doesn't go out. i know we are ahead of the curve, — doesn't go out. i know we are ahead ofthe curve, i— doesn't go out. i know we are ahead of the curve, i think we have a generator— of the curve, i think we have a generator at our home in anticipation of power going out these — anticipation of power going out these holidays, but christmas, as fun as _ these holidays, but christmas, as fun as it— these holidays, but christmas, as fun as it is— these holidays, but christmas, as fun as it is and we spend it with family. — fun as it is and we spend it with family. it — fun as it is and we spend it with family. it is— fun as it is and we spend it with family, it is a chore to get it all together— family, it is a chore to get it all together and even harder to make sure it _ together and even harder to make sure it runs— together and even harder to make sure it runs smoothly.— sure it runs smoothly. that's why i'm sure it runs smoothly. that's why i'm working _ sure it runs smoothly. that's why i'm working this _ sure it runs smoothly. that's why i'm working this weekend, - sure it runs smoothly. that's why i'm working this weekend, or - sure it runs smoothly. that's why l i'm working this weekend, or that's

what i tell myself. let's move onto christmas related story. —— another christmas related story. —— another christmas related story. —— another christmas related story. sam ryder, the pogues, or wham — who gets your vote for the christmas number one? or maybe you secretly love that mariah carey song. here in the uk, there's been quite the battle this year to take the coveted top spot in the charts, and the result has been revelead this afternoon. spoiler alert — if you've been playing whameggedon, you may as well give up now. our music reporter mark savage reports on the festive first place. for the first—ever time in the history of this song, last christmas is your official christmas number one today! # last christmas i gave you my heart # but the very next day, you gave it away... 13 million — that's how many times last christmas was streamed over the last seven days. and that is why it is christmas number one, for the first time since it was released 39 years ago.

i am delighted. it has been a long wait in many respects but it was a song george wrote with the intention of being a number one, and to finally achieve that goal, it is humbling. top of the pile is a great place to be. what do you think george would make of it going to christmas number one after all this time? he would be absolutely over the man. —— over the moon. he wouldn't have cared for the amount of time it took to get there, but better late than never. wham's classic fended off a challenge from eurovision star sam ryder, whose song, your christmas to me, took second place. while mariah carey came third.

after shane mcgowan's death last month, there had been a campaign to get the pogues's fairytale of new york to number one, but in a busy week it had to make do with sixth place. christmas is the peak sales period for the music industry, which is why you see records like this back on the shelves and in the charts every december, and for the artists, it is still an honour to be christmas number one. it is the best thing, i keep saying to people this is my version of the world cup final, it is that big for us here on the official chart, the christmas number one. it doesn't get bigger than this. outside of the singles race, the rolling stones top to the albums chart with hackney diamonds, a late birthday present for guitarist keith richards who turned 80 on monday. mark savage, bbc news.

i'v e i've done a bit of a festive change here in the studio because it's the last show before christmas, and no surprises which song i wanted to win the christmas number one race. you're not wearing christmasjumpers regrettably, either of you — i know you want to join regrettably, either of you — i know you want tojoin in. the regrettably, either of you — i know you want to join in. the christmas number one obsession is a curiously british thing, so much so that i have a sweat shirt on. what do you make of it all, then i'll ask you what your favourite christmas song is? but i want to know what you make of this whole thing first. i is? but i want to know what you make of this whole thing first.— of this whole thing first. i love it, ifirst of this whole thing first. i love it, i first stumbled _ of this whole thing first. i love it, i first stumbled upon - of this whole thing first. i love it, i first stumbled upon this l it, i first stumbled upon this during — it, i first stumbled upon this during the movie love actually where it became _ during the movie love actually where it became a _ during the movie love actually where it became a family obsession of mine, _ it became a family obsession of mine, we — it became a family obsession of mine, we watch every year, so it's exciting _ mine, we watch every year, so it's exciting and — mine, we watch every year, so it's exciting and i'm happy it's wam. i was it _ exciting and i'm happy it's wam. i was it years— exciting and i'm happy it's wam. i was 11 years old when that song came out and _ was 11 years old when that song came out and you _ was 11 years old when that song came out and you can't beat the hairstyle. i think i'm far away from

it but— hairstyle. i think i'm far away from it but that — hairstyle. i think i'm far away from it but that hairstyle from that era isjust_ it but that hairstyle from that era isjust a — it but that hairstyle from that era isjust a special time for sure. it's isjust a special time for sure. it's a — isjust a special time for sure. it's a classic video, and to remind people of my christmas jumper, there are some of it on there. you've covered christmas number ones in your time, covered christmas number ones in yourtime, i'm sure? covered christmas number ones in your time, i'm sure?— covered christmas number ones in your time, i'm sure? yes, it's great that they finally _ your time, i'm sure? yes, it's great that they finally got _ your time, i'm sure? yes, it's great that they finally got to _ your time, i'm sure? yes, it's great that they finally got to number one | that they finally got to number one after 30 years. it's worth 20 out that george michael played every single instrument in that song, even the sleigh bells —— worth pointing out. he produced and wrote it himself, he very much deserved number one, the man was externally talented. however i would just say that the problem with the way we organise the charts now, because of the streaming and everything else means you just get the hits that people download and stream on spotify over and over again, and it's terribly boring. we don't get new stuff coming through in getting to be number one — whose number one this year? mariah carey again? yon.

at least it's wham but it's not about how many times you play wham, account is one track sale in the charts, you have to have stream 100 times, so your stood there with a mariah carey vinyl in the record shop, that didn't happen, 150 more people pressed play or shuffle and it's just really dull, it's really boring and it doesn't — nothing good seems to have happened in the music stopped what i know what you mean because many years ago when i was a teenager, my sisters always used to buy me the christmas number one on cassette as my christmas present, i have things like mr blobby, keith richards... gall what's the point? what's the point indeed. 0ne richards... gall what's the point? what's the point indeed. one of the tapes i got one year was mike favourite christmas number one, the team are asking me what my favourite

was, because i'm going to ask you blokes. it's a bit embarrassing but if you had to ask me, it would be e 17's stay another day. moving on, what's your favourite christmas number one? it’s what's your favourite christmas number one?— what's your favourite christmas number one? it's one that's not -la ed number one? it's one that's not played all _ number one? it's one that's not played all the — number one? it's one that's not played all the time, _ number one? it's one that's not played all the time, e _ number one? it's one that's not played all the time, e 17 - number one? it's one that's not played all the time, e 17 always| number one? it's one that's not i played all the time, e 17 always on the radio, the pokes, wham, but nothing compares to the underappreciated witches keeping the dream alive, it's an ear room when you get it and it's really inspiring and makes me want to get into spring and makes me want to get into spring and tackle... ma; and makes me want to get into spring and tackle- - -— and tackle... my director has 'ust said there — and tackle... my director has 'ust said that's on fl and tackle... my director has 'ust said that's on the i and tackle... my director has 'ust said that's on the christmas h and tackle... my director hasjust said that's on the christmas song succulent and die—hard moore is not a christmas movie. will get into that later. what's your favourite christmas song?— that later. what's your favourite christmas song? white christmas, there was never— christmas song? white christmas, there was never any _ christmas song? white christmas, there was never any snow - christmas song? white christmas, there was never any snow on - christmas song? white christmas, there was never any snow on the l there was never any snow on the christmas — there was never any snow on the christmas holiday, we would say that imagining _ christmas holiday, we would say that imagining there would be christmas in los— imagining there would be christmas in los angeles, so what christmas by

being _ in los angeles, so what christmas by being crosby rings home for me. | being crosby rings home for me. i think being crosby rings home for me. think that being crosby rings home for me. i think that wins, i'm not sure suzy's think that wins, i'm not sure suzy�*s counts. we'll be back from her christmas chat, but that's it for the moment with the panel, around the moment with the panel, around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. bbc news, bringing you different stories from across the uk. for all the joy at this time of year, christmas spending can add to everyone's worries about money and debt. christmas is coming and your wallet may be feeling fat, but it's going to get a bit lighter this month because a lot of spending happens in december. and while plenty of people budget for christmas, an awful lot of others will end up going into debt. but a small number will turn to illegal moneylenders, or loan sharks, and they're not your stereotypical bruisers. 83—year—old tabitha richardson from newport was convicted of illegally lending money for 20 years. the court heard she took advantage of vulnerable people

and charged 40% interest. the team tackling loan sharks say they'd normally only hear about the problem in the new year, but the cost of living crisis means illegal moneylenders have been operating all year and are already making life difficult. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. now it's time for the panel. this is the part of the show where we ask our panelists what they would like to discuss. now today we asked our panel to pick a christmas related theme, since it is the last show of the year. what did you want to talk about? i show of the year. what did you want to talk about?— to talk about? i want to know what is the christmas _ to talk about? i want to know what is the christmas movie _ to talk about? i want to know what is the christmas movie of - to talk about? i want to know what is the christmas movie of the - to talk about? i want to know what | is the christmas movie of the year? i is the christmas movie of the year? i have _ is the christmas movie of the year? i have my— is the christmas movie of the year? i have my bias being an american,

being _ i have my bias being an american, being a— i have my bias being an american, being a fan— i have my bias being an american, being a fan of bruce willis where i think— being a fan of bruce willis where i think the — being a fan of bruce willis where i think the best christmas movie of the year— think the best christmas movie of the year is — think the best christmas movie of the year is die hard, i think i have some _ the year is die hard, i think i have some uniform agreement here. but i do want _ some uniform agreement here. but i do want to— some uniform agreement here. but i do want to know what other people think. _ do want to know what other people think, what's their movie for this holiday— think, what's their movie for this holiday season?— think, what's their movie for this holiday season? there's only two other people _ holiday season? there's only two other people on _ holiday season? there's only two other people on the _ holiday season? there's only two other people on the panel- holiday season? there's only two other people on the panel you i holiday season? there's only two | other people on the panel you can ask. i other people on the panel you can ask. ., , ~' other people on the panel you can ask. ., , ,, ., ., ask. i would 'ust like to say on the bbc ask. i would just like to say on the bbc gallery. _ ask. i would just like to say on the bbc gallery, keeping _ ask. i would just like to say on the bbc gallery, keeping the dream l ask. i would just like to say on the - bbc gallery, keeping the dream alive was released in december, it's on a christmas completion album and you can kiss it. easily the best christmas movie has got to be die hard, the one i watch on december one, i know it was released in the summer, it's got christmas, snow, a ho ho hojoe, there's a lot of swearing and shooting, but it is a christmas movie. i’iiii swearing and shooting, but it is a christmas movie.— swearing and shooting, but it is a christmas movie. die hard is not a christmas movie! cheering

ididn't i didn't say it, bruce willis said it. it is not a christmas movie. yes it. it is not a christmas movie. yes it is. my favourite _ it. it is not a christmas movie. yes it is. my favourite christmas - it is. my favourite christmas movie, since none — it is. my favourite christmas movie, since none of _ it is. my favourite christmas movie, since none of you _ it is. my favourite christmas movie, since none of you asked, _ it is. my favourite christmas movie, since none of you asked, is - it is. my favourite christmas movie, since none of you asked, is elf. - since none of you asked, is elf. discuss some feel it's a really good movie, i watch it with my seven—year—old all the time, but there will be a time when she outgrows it. mr; there will be a time when she outgrows it. there will be a time when she outrows it. y , ., ., ., , outgrows it. my five-year-old loves it. a seven-year-old _ outgrows it. my five-year-old loves it. a seven-year-old and _ it. a seven-year-old and five-year-old, _ it. a seven-year-old and five-year-old, 0k, - it. a seven-year-old and | five-year-old, 0k, great. it. a seven-year-old and - five-year-old, 0k, great. i'm five—year—old, 0k, great. i'm speechless, i don't know what to say, what would you like to discuss in this christmas theme time for the panel? i in this christmas theme time for the anel? . , in this christmas theme time for the anel? .,, ., in this christmas theme time for the anel? ., , ., ., in this christmas theme time for the anel? .,, ., ,~ ., ., , panel? i was asked for anything. the main thing i — panel? i was asked for anything. the main thing i was _ panel? i was asked for anything. the main thing i was raised _ panel? i was asked for anything. the main thing i was raised is _ panel? i was asked for anything. the main thing i was raised is that - main thing i was raised is that there are some stories in the papers yesterday about a celebrity chef called tom carriage who was suggesting that the time was over for christmas turkey, and it should be roast beef for christmas dinner instead. he also suggested frying

sprouts, sipping gravy and a slice of christmas pudding to the boxing day fry out. the man should be drummed out of the country, deport him to rwanda, go.— him to rwanda, go. sacrilege to say no turke , him to rwanda, go. sacrilege to say no turkey. says _ him to rwanda, go. sacrilege to say no turkey, says susie, _ him to rwanda, go. sacrilege to say no turkey, says susie, what - him to rwanda, go. sacrilege to say no turkey, says susie, what do - him to rwanda, go. sacrilege to say no turkey, says susie, what do you | no turkey, says susie, what do you make of that? i’m no turkey, says susie, what do you make of that?— no turkey, says susie, what do you make of that? i'm not a huge turkey fan m self make of that? i'm not a huge turkey fan myself so _ make of that? i'm not a huge turkey fan myself so i _ make of that? i'm not a huge turkey fan myself so i am _ make of that? i'm not a huge turkey fan myself so i am in _ make of that? i'm not a huge turkey fan myself so i am in total— fan myself so i am in total agreement, let's bring some prime rib for— agreement, let's bring some prime rib for christmas dinner here. gn a rib for christmas dinner here. on a vegetarian. _ rib for christmas dinner here. on a vegetarian. so _ rib for christmas dinner here. on a vegetarian, so again, _ rib for christmas dinner here. on a vegetarian, so again, i'll— rib for christmas dinner here. on —. vegetarian, so again, i'llwidely vegetarian, so again, i'll widely differfrom my two panelists vegetarian, so again, i'll widely differ from my two panelists and say that it's probably some corn sausages for me on christmas day, there will probably be at the bbc. moving away from the christmas theme, because this is a news programme, with the news, this is the last context of the year, i'd like to ask your predictions for the next year? you can talk about anything you want that you see coming in the year ahead. i see a very successful _ coming in the year ahead. i see a very successful olympics - coming in the year ahead. i see a

very successful olympics at - coming in the year ahead. i see a very successful olympics at paris| very successful olympics at paris next year~ — very successful olympics at paris next ear. , . ., . next year. interesting choice, ou've next year. interesting choice, you've stayed _ next year. interesting choice, you've stayed away _ next year. interesting choice, you've stayed away from - next year. interesting choice, you've stayed away from the l next year. interesting choice, l you've stayed away from the us election, which i'm pleased because we talk about it enough. have you been to an olympics before? i have, i been to an olympics before? i have, i remember — been to an olympics before? i have, i remember the _ been to an olympics before? i have, i remember the los _ been to an olympics before? i have, i remember the los angeles - been to an olympics before? i have, i i remember the los angeles olympics in 1984. _ i remember the los angeles olympics in 1984. we _ i remember the los angeles olympics in 1984, we are going to get it in1984, we are going to get it again— in 1984, we are going to get it again after paris so there's tremendous excitement for this 0lympics— tremendous excitement for this olympics for paris, then we are ready— olympics for paris, then we are ready to — olympics for paris, then we are ready to have it back in los angeles after that _ ready to have it back in los angeles after that. find ready to have it back in los angeles after that. �* ready to have it back in los angeles after that. . _, , ., after that. and it comes after the bei'in: after that. and it comes after the beijing olympics _ after that. and it comes after the beijing olympics which _ after that. and it comes after the beijing olympics which happenedj beijing olympics which happened during covid, they were rearranged, so i think there's a lot riding on this summer's olympics. what are you looking out for in 2024 on the news calendar? but looking out for in 2024 on the news calendar? �* �* , . ., calendar? but i'm very excited about is the new blood _ calendar? but i'm very excited about is the new blood scandal, _ calendar? but i'm very excited about is the new blood scandal, a - calendar? but i'm very excited about is the new blood scandal, a group of| is the new blood scandal, a group of nuclear test veterans who were exposed to radiation during cold war weapons tests who will be suing the government, about to launch their legal action any day now, and i suspect that not only with our own general election probably sometime next year, that will cause an absolute stinker of a headache for

the government, and as i'm the person who reports on that for the past 20 years for the daily mirror, i'll be right there up in front about it. �* , �* , ., ~ about it. i'm sure we'll be talking about that _ about it. i'm sure we'll be talking about that with _ about it. i'm sure we'll be talking about that with you _ about it. i'm sure we'll be talking about that with you a lot - about it. i'm sure we'll be talking about that with you a lot on - about it. i'm sure we'll be talking about that with you a lot on the l about that with you a lot on the context nor asked year —— next year. that's it for the context for 2023, a warm welcome to our panel for being here for our christmas themed edition of the show, i want to thank all the team who helped put the programme together every day, particularly jack programme together every day, particularlyjack kilbride, who is off for a few months to the united states. is putting more on the beauty news website, stay with us for more updates there. i wish you a very merry festive season. hello from the bbc sport centre, i'm jane dougall. we start with an early piece of silverware — as pep guardiola's manchester city have lifted the club world cup for the first time, after a dominant

4—0 win over brazillian team fluminese in saudi arabia. nesta mcgregor reports. manchester city fc, club champions of the world. the debate over saudi arabia hosting major sports events may be ongoing, but it was city and for trying to have the last word on the pitch. fireworks before the match and seconds into it too, cooley and alvarez in the right place, right time. but cooley and alvarez in the right place, right time.— cooley and alvarez in the right place, right time. but a piece of improvisation. _ place, right time. but a piece of improvisation. the _ place, right time. but a piece of improvisation. the champions i place, right time. but a piece of| improvisation. the champions of south america _ improvisation. the champions of south america trailing _ improvisation. the champions of south america trailing the - improvisation. the champions of - south america trailing the champions of europe, and soon it would be by two goals. a deflection from this phil foden cross, the keeper unable to react. by the break, the england international made his mark on the game once again. city cruising, though victory came at a cost— rodri, or could be their most influential player this season, limping off following this tackle.

shortly after alvarez added a fourth ceiling dominant win, manchester city fc, the talk of england, europe, and now the world. nesta mcgregor, bbc news. aston villa look like missing the chance to go top of the premier league. they're losing 1—0 at home to bottom side sheffield united in injury time. a late goal from cameron archer on 86 minutes put sheffield united ahead, and they're heading for three much needed points. villa had an earlier goal disallowed after var found jacob ramsey had fouled keeper wes foderingham. but apart from that, they haven't been able to break through the blades' defence. had villa won, they would have leapfrogged both arsenal and liverpool to go top of the table. it does not look like that'll happen now, 1— 02 sheffield united.

tomorrow, liverpool will be playing arsenal at anfield, with the victor guaranteed to be top of the premier league at christmas. —— 1—0 two shifnal united. it's liverpool's third game in a week at anfield after they drew against manchester united and then had a mid—week win over west ham. managerjurgen klopp was critical of a section of fans at that game for not creating a good atmosphere and was asked to elaborate on that today. it's not crazy, i enjoyed 99.7% of each second in that stadium. i love it to bits, these people, and not different people, not other people, sometimes some are in and others are, i'm happy with everything, but it is like, if he can do it better, show us. fine, i have said something and i cannot change it, i have nothing to say about the atmosphere, unless it is that we need energy

at anfield tomorrow. that is 100% true and i can't wait for it, to be honest. sale sharks are top of the rugby premiership this christmas after a 22—20 win over champions saracens. three tries on the night for sale, including this from luke cowan—dickie. the scoreline means sarries picked up a losing bonus point, but a morale—boosting win for sale, beating the team they lost to in the premiership final last season. anthonyjoshua has weighed in 13lbs heavier than his opponant otto wallin ahead of this saturday's must—win heavyweight fight. the brit was 17st, 13lb at the weigh—in, in riyadh. a win over sweden's wallin at the kingdom arena, in saudi arabia could set up a long—awaited contest against deontay wilder. american wilder will face fellow former world championjoseph parker in saturday's co—main event. i'm not here to party and get caught up in the glitz and glamour, i'm want

to fight and perform well. of course i'm tense because i want to perform and win. i got an urge to win and i want to hurt my opponent, as well. saturday's where my heart and soul, every cell in my body is fully focused towards and doing what i know i can do. time to bring you a quick update on the match at villa park — villa have equalised in the dying moments of added time, it is now 1—1 against sheffield united, meaning they would be second in the table, level on points with arsenal still a few minutes to go in that game. you can keep up—to—date with it on the bbc sport website, but that's all the support for now. hello there. full christmas forecast coming up in just a moment, first of all, i thought we'd start off with these rare nacreous clouds that are once again being spotted overhead in the uk. these form really high in the earth's atmosphere — between 13—19 miles above the ground. that's 2—3 times the height of which aeroplanes fly at and you need temperatures in this

part of the atmosphere to be at —78 celsius or even colder. normally, that really cold air is concentrated around our polar regions, but right now it's moved a bit further southwards. and it's cold enough across the uk for next week or two to see some of these rare clouds. best chance before sunrise or just after sunset, so eyes to the skies. further down in the atmosphere, we've got this mild flow of air to take us through the rest of the night. it will be quite a damp night across western areas. some heavy rain for western scotland. as that rain band bumps into the cold air across northern scotland, some of it turns to snow. could bring some disruption here as we head into the first part of saturday morning. 2—10 centimetres possible, the larger amounts over the hills. if you're planning a journey maybe set out later in the day because it will eventually turn milder, the snow eventually will turn back to rain. lots more rain to come across western scotland. it's been a very wet month for these areas and so this extra rain could bring some flooding concerns. some damp weather elsewhere in the west of the uk. best chance of any cloud breaks

east wales, the midlands, east anglia and southern parts of england. for most it will be quite a mild day. saturday night sees heavy rain set up across mid—wales, could bring some localised flooding here. it's also been another part of the world where we've seen more rain than average so far this month. sunday, which is christmas eve, another big travel day and it's going to be a windy day, particularly for western and northern scotland over and to the east of the pennines — where we could get gusts of wind of 50—70mph. those stronger gusts could knock down a few high sided vehicles, maybe even blow over one or two trees. so the message, if you're planning a journey on christmas eve, check conditions out on the roads and the railways before heading out. there could be some disruption. christmas day, monday, we've got these south—westerly winds, mild air across vast majority of the uk. so not a white christmas for most of you. a grey, cloudy, wet and windy christmas for many. the one exception really is across the far north of scotland, where we still have that colder air with us. some of the rain could start to turn to snow over the hills here.

so forjust 1—2 of you, it might yet be a white christmas. bye for now.