british actor tom wilkinson, known for films like the full monty, shakespeare in love and the best exotic marigold hotel, has died aged 75. he received six bafta nominations in total as well as two oscar nominations. now on bbc news, kevin sinfield: 7in7in7. cheering he had run further before, he had run longer before, but for this, kevin sinfield's for the marathon challenge, it was going out on the road notjust to run back to tour around the uk and ireland. we will cive it our around the uk and ireland. we will give it our best _ around the uk and ireland. we will give it our best shot _ around the uk and ireland. we will give it our best shot and _ around the uk and ireland. we will give it our best shot and see - around the uk and ireland. we will give it our best shot and see what | give it our best shot and see what

we have got. give it our best shot and see what we have got-— give it our best shot and see what we have not. , �* , ~ ~ ,, we have got. cheering and applause his former leeds _ we have got. cheering and applause his former leeds rhinos _ we have got. cheering and applause his former leeds rhinos team-mate i his former leeds rhinos team—mate rob burrow diagnosed with motor neurone disease four years ago was once again kevin's inspiration. what once again kevin's inspiration. what he is prepared _ once again kevin's inspiration. what he is prepared to — once again kevin's inspiration. what he is prepared to do _ once again kevin's inspiration. what he is prepared to do for the mnd community is amazing and i know he is appreciated by thousands of people — is appreciated by thousands of people around the country and the world _ people around the country and the world and — people around the country and the world and i— people around the country and the world and i hope he knows i would do the same _ world and i hope he knows i would do the same for— world and i hope he knows i would do the same for him. the}r world and i hope he knows i would do the same for him.— the same for him. they are doing these challenges _ the same for him. they are doing these challenges to _ the same for him. they are doing these challenges to continue - the same for him. they are doing these challenges to continue to l these challenges to continue to raise _ these challenges to continue to raise awareness, _ these challenges to continue to raise awareness, the _ these challenges to continue to raise awareness, the people i raise awareness, the people diagnosed _ raise awareness, the people diagnosed today _ raise awareness, the people diagnosed today and - raise awareness, the people diagnosed today and in - raise awareness, the people diagnosed today and in the i raise awareness, the people - diagnosed today and in the future and to— diagnosed today and in the future and to give — diagnosed today and in the future and to give people _ diagnosed today and in the future and to give people hope, - diagnosed today and in the future and to give people hope, that- diagnosed today and in the future and to give people hope, that is. and to give people hope, that is what _ and to give people hope, that is what it— and to give people hope, that is what it is— and to give people hope, that is what it is all— and to give people hope, that is what it is all about, _ and to give people hope, that is what it is all about, as- and to give people hope, that is what it is all about, as well- and to give people hope, that is what it is all about, as well as l and to give people hope, that is. what it is all about, as well as the fundraising. — what it is all about, as well as the fundraising. il— what it is all about, as well as the fundraising, it is _ what it is all about, as well as the fundraising, it is about _ what it is all about, as well as the i fundraising, it is about awareness, and doing — fundraising, it is about awareness, and doing it — fundraising, it is about awareness, and doing it across _ fundraising, it is about awareness, and doing it across the _ fundraising, it is about awareness, and doing it across the uk - fundraising, it is about awareness, and doing it across the uk and - and doing it across the uk and different— and doing it across the uk and different cities— and doing it across the uk and different cities will— and doing it across the uk and different cities will continue i and doing it across the uk andi different cities will continue to raise _ different cities will continue to raise the — different cities will continue to raise the awareness. - different cities will continue to raise the awareness. cheering laughter cheering and applause

the objective was seven ultra marathons in seven cities in seven days. reflecting rob's shirt number, from headingley they set off for york. he was backed up by a hand—picked team of friends and sports professionals who had all taken a week off work to help him. they are shifting so the first half marathon they have done in about one hour and a5, so five minutes per kilometre, pretty quick. mas hour and 45, so five minutes per kilometre, pretty quick. was that predicted? _ kilometre, pretty quick. was that predicted? he — kilometre, pretty quick. was that predicted? he would _ kilometre, pretty quick. was that predicted? he would do - kilometre, pretty quick. was that predicted? he would do the - kilometre, pretty quick. was that | predicted? he would do the speed that he wants _ predicted? he would do the speed that he wants so _ predicted? he would do the speed that he wants so we _ predicted? he would do the speed that he wants so we don't - predicted? he would do the speed that he wants so we don't really i that he wants so we don't really care, wejust that he wants so we don't really care, we just support that he wants so we don't really care, wejust support him. you that he wants so we don't really care, we just support him. care, we 'ust support him. you don't wor care, we just support him. you don't worry about — care, we just support him. you don't worry about him? _ care, we just support him. you don't worry about him? we _ care, we just support him. you don't worry about him? we are _ care, we just support him. you don't worry about him? we are happy so l worry about him? we are happy so far.

each day their target would be under 4 hours. york racecourse, shrouded in fog, was the first venue for the daily extra mile on top of the marathon distance, where people affected by mnd would be invited to try to keep up with kev. the fundraising he's done is immense. my wife was diagnosed about seven years ago. she died at the age of a5, five years ago. my son harry here has been running with us today. he's come out of school to do this. so it's been amazing to see him do this and raising the profile. i can't believe — so many people are out there cheering — it's gorgeous. that was so much fun. what a lovely thing to be part of. and everybody laughed and smiled all the way around and it's infectious, isn't that? yeah. it's just a beautiful day. as with last year's challenge, the reception in york was incredible. just what the runners needed as they chalked off day one. york has been a really special place for us.

we know you love rob like we do. with the december temperatures dropping below freezing, the team prepared to run in cardiff. at the start line, kev was met by the former rugby player ed slater, who was diagnosed with mnd 18 months ago. great to see kev. what him and the team are doing is remarkable. and sitting here in the freezing cold, i don't know how they all do. limbs sore from almost four hours of running the day before, were coaxed into action, ready to go again. cold, tired from yesterday. but the reception we get from cardiff is just incredible. just amazing. keeps you going. yeah. i mean, kev mentioned it on the first night, you know, the outpouring of emotion and goodwill and love. it's just something to behold. it's incredible. the extra mile provided extra smiles

and a chance for people to show their gratitude. how was that for you? amazing. i got the invitationjust over a week ago and... unbelievable. and so right alongside kevin at one point as well. he's quick mind, didn't he? yeah. he doesn't hang around. he's got 20 miles to go, but fantastic. look, i've got a friend who lives with me down in the caldicot area in south wales. so that one's for you too. i've had a lot of dark days. don't misunderstand me, - but ijust live for the moment. and to see what these guys dol on their positive attitude it is... it's just simply inspirational.

rarely, if ever, has an englishman been cheered down westgate street. welcome back to cardiff. thank you. how was your day? beautiful. support�*s been like we're blown away because you're never sure. some wonderful parts of cardiff. didn't think it was nice. can't put that on the telly! no, i mean, that was great. it was, yeah. then through the smoke, kevin and the team emerged onto the pitch

at cardiff arms park to be congratulated by another rugby great sir gareth edwards. fantastic. thank you very much for your support. it's a wonderful city you guys have got. we know that the rugby community care about people that need them in this mnd community really need you. and what we've seen today is some unbelievable support and it's been an absolute honour too. sunday, it must be birmingham. and with snow on the ground, the extra mile took place at the alexander stadium, home to the commonwealth games and well used to celebrating heroics. cheering lyn pritchett lost her husband mel to the disease six years ago. ever since, she's devoted herself to making a difference. it's a very different world now, six years

on from when we were diagnosed. a lot more awareness, a lot more support. it's amazing. for families who very sadly will have the devastating diagnosis. what rob and kev are doing and other members of the community isjust phenomenal. for people living difficult lives with an uncertain future, this was a morning to celebrate life. i do everything that i can to raise awareness. the more people that know about motor neurons, the more awareness that people will have, the more money will be raised and the closer we'll get to finding a cure. so that's my goal at the moment, to raise awareness, which is why i wear bright things to get people talking, and then i'll tell them about mnd. i have motor neurone as well.

and my family are here supporting me today. and how are things generally? difficult as they are with this, with the disease. and that's what we're here to do, is spread a bit of awareness about it at this stage. spirits were high here with the cyclists now martin, daryl and phil. guys, tell us what's what's your job? morale. just keeping pace set and keeping things going. just keeping everyone going. keep everyone smiling and keeping up on track. keeping the lads fed and watered. we've got drinks and our bikes and our bikes and play music as we go and just bring some good times and cheer along the way. there are some lonely parts with nobody out, but when they come out they definitely give us a push. it's amazing, i think the amount people have put in, you know, the money around in the pocket and we're collecting that. it's absolutely amazing. so that's what keeps us going as well. bit of banter, isn't there? yeah. between the whole team.

keep spirits up and try and take the mind off the running - and we're laughing and joking. australia responsible - for the navigating as well. so we're getting well. yeah, it does. we get in trouble because we tend to take a few wrong turns - here and there, but we're getting back on track pretty quick. - so it's the extra mile one. it, it's all good, it's all got extra, extra, extra time. with the wet, the wind and the miles taking their toll, this was proving to be a difficult day and easily the toughest so far. the weather outside was frightful, but the warmth of the welcome into birmingham city centre was delightful. it was a tough day. a lot of hills, wet, cold, miserable, but like, the people on the route have been brilliant again. and then to finish with this, people are christmas shopping and it's chucking it down and they've come in for us and for the mnd community to show how much

they matter and how much they care about them. the big difference this year after running three ultramarathons in three days, more than 80 miles in total, they now had a six hour drive north to edinburgh. singing they sing the flower of scotland an impromptu rendition of flower of scotland in a park and ride made for an incongruous start to the fourth day. but there was no doubt that kev was back in doddie land. shortly before his death with kev had set the team off from edinburgh to begin last year's challenge.

the big man would loom large all day. we've all aged about 25 years in the last three days on the trip. we knew last night, we can't wait to be in edinburgh, because it's been a fantastic place for us. we know we're running on it today, for a wonderful guy. applause sorry. he's had a huge influence on rob. he's had a huge influence on the whole mnd community. so it's an honour to be in edinburgh today, to represent him and kathy and the boys. we'll give it our best shot. it's great to be greeted by good old scottish weather. applause by now, the weather was making itself felt and heard as driving rain and howling winds made life very difficult

for the runners and riders. edinburgh is rarely anything less than beautiful, but these conditions are not a good look. cheering and at the extra mile there was an emotional reunion with kathy, doddie's widow. you have high days and low days. days like this are amazing. keeps everybody going and reminds us

what we're all here for. kev is an amazing man. we are all good. we're lucky. got lots of things to keep going for. mnd is a terrible disease. you know, it takes a big, strong man down to a very poor, weak man. and doing things like this and get the support of all of the people around us is reminds us what we're here for. you know, it really does mean a lot to us. what kev's doing is phenomenal, taking on over from his legacy. obviously, rob burrow who is a little golden nugget. it does mean an awful lot to us. it's really special. everyone is still supporting the cause, which a year- after his death is is quite - wonderful to know the people are trying to find that cure and still digging deep-

and the communities of all sorts of all directions are making - such an impact. it's wonderful. half way, the end mayjust about be insight, but it's still such a long way off. it was tough, as you'd expect. we we wanted the weather to be bad throughout all of this. well, listen, i think people need to see us fight and struggle enough to dig deep, because i think it makes a difference to... the awareness and the funds. i think people like to see people suffering as well, don't they, when they're in sporting challenges? so i think the big man upstairs, big doddie would have have sent that weather for us today and had a big grin on his face. we saw the best of edinburgh weather today and it made it very, very tough. you know, there was a headwind at times that we didn't feel like we're moving far even at the start and we come

over the bridge. it was pretty tough, beautiful scenery, by the way, but we got blasted. we're all ready for hot bath now. but it was the support, you know, when the rains coming down like that and it's windy, you don't expect to see anybody. but you were in, you know, little villages just outside of edinburgh and people stood there in the rain and supporting and with the doddie memorabilia. the next leg would push their bodies even further. travelling to dublin would mean sitting around at an airport, a flight and very little sleep before running again. if these muscles could talk, they would be screaming. but help is at hand. he's pushing himself to the extreme every single day. so your body's natural reaction is to tighten. so obviously the problem is if the muscles tighten, the range of motion reduces, which can affect how we run the next day. so it's very much just trying to keep everything in working order and try to keep the range of motion so we can use the muscles the very next day, really. at croke park, kev met charlie bird, an irish tvjournalist diagnosed with mnd in 2021 and who has raised more than £3 million in the hope

that his diagnosis will one day be consigned to history. you are an absolute inspiration. i have cried every day watching you on the bbc. running marathon after marathon to create awareness and funds for mnd. all in the name of your best friend rob. the money you have raised is fantastic. he's a very lucky man to have such a friend like you. i saw the picture of you carrying rob over the finish line of one of your marathons. what an iconic image. my motto is always extend the hand of friendship. and today we are all here extending the hand of friendship. charlie is the most determined man you'll ever meet. - he's still bossy as hell. he can still boss me around. we know he's a very determined man and so courageous. - we absolutely love him. |and yeah, i'm looking forward to him telling me everything when he comes home this evening.

a guard of honour meant kevin, today, running solo was escorted through every traffic junction. no rest for the committed. a couple more days. we're going to brighton tonight. but we'll never forget dublin. we'll keep fighting mnd. and thanks for making some wonderfulfriends here, too. thanks, charlie. cheering and applause dublin done. it was back to britain and onto brighton. day six had a festive feel as they left brighton's home ground, but the penultimate day is a dangerous beast as there is still so far to run. it's not over yet.

farfrom it. this was no day out at the seaside. the weather had improved. the views were stunning. but kev was head down and slogging on. it's amazing because you feel so lonely, but when you see all the people around, it really makes it feel a big community, really does. so i'm luckier than most. but it's just awful. just takes everything from you. sorry. but days like this make it a bit better. so, yeah, it's been lovely being a part of it, really. my mum was diagnosed with mnd probably three and a half years ago

and she died injanuary. and the mnd community have been a great support. i've had lots of help at home and yeah, it'sjust nice to be part of the fundraising and to try and raise the profile so that more people give more money. they were here to pay tribute to a much loved teacher at brighton college. pete died with mnd last year. there are scholarships and a science block in his name. so as the school turned out to form a guard of honour, they cheered not just for kev, but also for their former teacher. the england rugby player marcus smith was a pupil here and came to add his support. ever since i met kev, everything he's done off the field has been massively inspirational to me personally. obviously, i went to school here and i know how much of a heartbeat of the school mr bellinger was. i've been very privileged as well to meet rob burrow, absolute legend of a player, and he's

a legend of a bloke as well. and to be able to see the impact that kev�*s doing and how much it means to him is massively inspirationalfor me. i know it's going to be inspirational for the school as well, and i know the school will be very touched by this. this had been yet another brutal day, but the welcome was made even more special by a message from one of his favourite bands. hi, this is chris from coldplay, saying hi to everybody singing at brighton college and to kevin, who i'm told is running to help people with mnd. ahead of the final day, a final trip on the leeds rhinos coach with pete the driver at the wheel of the burrow bus as they travelled to london.

cheering at long last, the final day arrived, leaving the twickenham rugby stadium where kev�*s dayjob is the england defence coach felt like yet another groundhog day, but with no repeat tomorrow, where he wasjoined, among others, by two world cup winners. i lost my stepmum and my dad's wife in 2010, and for us it was the worst google of all time. you know, i'd never heard of motor neurone disease. so the research that i could sort of find was was devastating. you know, we met so many incredible people that had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, but also families that were going through the same thing as us. so at the moment, when when you get that diagnosis it's a death sentence but there are people

like kevin sinfield and doddie weir, going to get us to a place where we can find a cure. you set off and you're not running and oryou're not a runner and you certainly think, you know, i'll do the whole lot. how long did that feeling last? i went on an extra half mile beyond the mile. he's on three and one half hour pace for a marathon. i've done a half. i've never done a full. and itjust makes me admire the human being being even more than i already did. and for the final time, those affected by mnd were here to take part. both times we've been involved in any of this. j i found too much i and i lose my voice. loved it. really? it means a lot. yeah, it did. like you're doing something, doesn't it, that you're you're actually able to jump in and do something to help raise awareness and much, much needed funds,

from the green space and fresh air into the city, this was sinfield monopoly as he ticked off the landmarks running across tower bridge, dodging the traffic and the tourists. the extreme exertion was taking its toll. this was his 50th marathon. and remember, his seventhjust this week. heard that was your first marathon. this is your 50th. getting bored of it yet? no, not quite! there is so much love and encouragement out there for him. i would not be surprised if they open the gates to buckingham palace so he can put his feet up. finally, the tarmac turned red as they ran onto the map. with buckingham palace ahead, a crowning glory for the king of endurance challenges. cheering

the awareness generated this week has been enormous again. and, you know, in rob's name fundraising is so important. we tried to push this morning how important the money is because that's the thing that's going to shift the dial for us. that's the thing that's going to get us the cure. it's also the thing that's going to make sure your families are looked after properly. if there's one thing you leave today with from our team, it's that, have a great christmas, but spare a thought for those who are a bit less fortunate. and if you can help, if you can pick up the phone, please do it. thank you. cheering from yorkshire to wales, scotland over to ireland and back, all in some atrocious december weather this year had proved to be incredibly demanding. you would forgive him if he wondered why he puts his body through this, but the thousands he met along

the way are in no doubt — he is making a real and vital difference to those living with motor neurone disease. take it right back to the start. we went on a run for a mate, and that's what this is still, you know, even though it's grown and it's become much bigger than that, in its simplest form, that's what this will always be. the minute it stops being fun, then we'll find something else to do. hello, there. good evening. some very wet, very windy weather for much of the uk today with tricky travelling conditions, particularly across much of the central belt of scotland with snow to low levels, that snow pushing further northwards and eastwards through the afternoon. it all comes courtesy of this deep area of low pressure working its way eastwards from the atlantic. a tight squeeze on the isobars here. so strong, gusty winds, heavy rain and still the cold front to come through overnight tonight across central southern england, east anglia and the far south east of england. there will be some heavy rain

for a short while and some squally gusts of wind as the front comes through. particularly blustery towards the south coast. gusts of wind here towards more exposed locations could get as high as 50—60mph. potentially blustery showers following on behind. turning dry for scotland and here, not quite as cold as it was last night. now, this is how we'll start off new year's eve, sunday, of course. there will be a lot of dry weather out towards the east, i think, through the morning. staying dry across scotland for much of the day, but blustery showers still swirling around this area of low pressure, lighter winds across the centre of low pressure. but again, towards the south coast of england and wales, there'll be some strong, gusty, brisk south—westerly winds blowing throughout the day. temperatures for most a little lower than they were earlier on today. and still some more blustery showers, i suspect, as we head into the evening. if you're out celebrating new year's eve, watch out, because you may well catch a good scattering of showers towards the south as we head through the first part of the night. but then they'll gradually fade away. so, fewer of them by the time we get

to midnight, still very windy towards the south coast, could cause some disruption with fireworks, but mild here. we'll see more of the showers as we head into northern england and across parts of northern ireland. scotland looking largely dry. the winds a little lighter here, perhaps some of the showers a bit wintry over the tops of the hills where we see them. and then into new year's day itself, monday, well, another area of low pressure will approach from the south—west by the end of the day. but i think for much of the day, it should be largely dry and there'll be some sunshine around as well, particularly across wales, parts of central southern england, perhaps a legacy of cloud still stretching from south west scotland into north—east england for a time through the day. the winds will be lighter and the temperatures a little lower as well, 5—10 degrees celsius north to south. now, as we head through the rest of the week, then, it is gradually going to be turning a little colder. it stays unsettled. more showers at times. bye— bye.

live from london. this is bbc news. russia accuses ukrainian forces of shelling the border city of belgorod. officials say at least 18 people were killed and dozens injured. israeli forces push deeper into parts of central and southern gaza — as hospitals say they have been overwhelmed with casualties. eurostar will resume its services on sunday after thousands were left stranded due to a flooded tunnel. british actor tom wilkinson, known for films like the british monty, has died at the age of 75. and pole position — a british army officer is believed to have become the fastest woman to ever complete a solo ski expedition to the south pole.

hello, i'm anjana gadgil. ukraine has carried out a series of deadly air strikes on targets in south—west russia over the past 2a hours. these pictures show smoke rising above the city of belgorod where russia's emergency ministry says 18 people including three children have been killed, and 111 others were injured. the claim can't be independently verified. the city is located approximately a0 kilometres north of the border with ukraine — 80 kilometres away from the ukrainian city of kharkiv. this dashcam video has been verified by the bbc. it shows an explosion on a street in the city, and people running from the scene. otherfootage and images show damage to buildings and vehicles gutted by fire. a ukrainian security source has confirmed to the bbc that kyiv fired 70 drones at russian military

targets — but blamed russian air defences for fragments falling in belgorod.