about the medieval way of life that's remained an enigma for so long. rebecca morelle, bbc news, cardiff. you can watch more about the medieval cemetery on digging for britain on iplayer right now. time for a look at the weather. here's elizabeth rizzini. hello and thank you and good news today if you are a duct or a swan, not so good for the rest of us of course. we are only three days into the month but already some spots in lincolnshire have seen the whole average january month's lincolnshire have seen the whole averagejanuary month's rainfall, nearly that anyway —— if you are a duck or a swan. still potentially more rain to come and there are over 260 flood warnings are still in force, and a severe warning in place in tenby in wales, and most of the warnings across the welsh marches and central and southern england and the midlands. still a messy picture overnight, a good scattering of

showers, more wet and windy and cold weather in north—eastern scotland and into shetland. show was gradually fading across much of wales and east anglia and central and southern england and temperatures remained above freezing point to the winds easing in the channel, with keeping an eye on this rain in the south tomorrow morning. further north across much of wales and east anglia, midlands and northern ireland, some sunshine but a scattering of showers that those western coasts and still cold in shetland, more rainfall here and it remains windy. let's look at the rain further south which will spread northwards from the south coast, falling on already saturated ground, possibly causing some more problems. some debate as to the northern extent of it, likely to curl into east anglia and in the evening show and the could be some gusty winds as well so keep an eye on that. on friday, a transition day, feeling drier with some showers on the coast and it will start to feel cool as

well and that sets the scene quite nicely as we head into the weekend because of high pressure will start to build in and the weekend is going to build in and the weekend is going to be turning drier, temperatures dropping and instead of floods will be talking fast and frog —— frost and fog. thanks, elizabeth. and that's bbc news at six. you can keep up with all the latest developments on the bbc website. goodbye. welcome to bbc london. hello and welcome to sportsday. history at the palace, will luke littler be crowned world champion at the age of 16. the world number one stands in the way. also coming up on sportsday... emma raducanu was a teenage champion and she's had a lucky break ahead of the australian open. there's no mo for liverpool, we'll look at which clubs will be hit hardest by this month's africa cup of nations and asian cup

also coming up on sportsday... ali, tyson, forman, couch, we talk to the trailblazer who will take her place in boxing's hall of fame. i knew i was right, i knew that women could fight. evening, darts always gives us the first world champion of the year, but this year it could give us so much more, the teenager with tungsten in his veins, luke "the nuke" littler. the 16—year—old from warrington, who has wowed the alexandra palace crowds over the past fortnight. he's beaten two former winners along the way and tonight,

he faces the world number one, �*cool hand' luke humphries for the trophy, we'll head live to ally pally in a moment but first let's hear from the finallists. there's no pressure. like i said, it's first time being here and i'm still here, sojust it's first time being here and i'm still here, so just take it it's first time being here and i'm still here, sojust take it in my stride and take it game by game stop of his going on and achieved something incredible, being 16 years old and making the world final in his first try is old and making the world final in hisfirstt , old and making the world final in hisfirstt ., his first try is absolutely amazing. one of us is _ his first try is absolutely amazing. one of us is going _ his first try is absolutely amazing. one of us is going to _ his first try is absolutely amazing. one of us is going to get - his first try is absolutely amazing. one of us is going to get that - one of us is going to get that achievement of being world champion. unfortunately both of us can't, so it's a _ unfortunately both of us can't, so it's a massive spectacle. got unfortunately both of us can't, so it's a massive spectacle.— it's a massive spectacle. got a lot of followers _ it's a massive spectacle. got a lot of followers now. _ it's a massive spectacle. got a lot of followers now. i _ it's a massive spectacle. got a lot of followers now. i had _ it's a massive spectacle. got a lot of followers now. i had a - it's a massive spectacle. got a lot| of followers now. i had a message from gary neville and johnny evans, i think. so it'sjust from gary neville and johnny evans, i think. so it's just crazy. from gary neville and johnny evans, i think. so it'sjust crazy. people who i have looked up to, especially my club, manchester united, wishing me luck. ., ., , ., , ., me luck. that would statements have one has me luck. that would statements have gone has been _ me luck. that would statements have gone has been a _ me luck. that would statements have gone has been a dream. _ me luck. that would statements have gone has been a dream. it _ me luck. that would statements have gone has been a dream. it something you dont— gone has been a dream. it something you don't want to end. one more game for me _ you don't want to end. one more game for me is_ you don't want to end. one more game for me is all— you don't want to end. one more game for me is all i_ you don't want to end. one more game for me is all i want to do. when my great _ for me is all i want to do. when my great game — for me is all i want to do. when my great game. going and when that world _ great game. going and when that world title, and it's an achievement accomplished in my career. it�*s

world title, and it's an achievement accomplished in my career.- accomplished in my career. it's the world championships _ accomplished in my career. it's the world championships come - accomplished in my career. it's the world championships come i've - accomplished in my career. it's the| world championships come i've got nothing to lose can register for a dream. it something you don't want to end. one more game for me is all i want to do. one more great game. going and when that world title, and it's an achievement accomplished in my career. it's the world championships, got nothing to lose, just if he had for myself and i'm still standing at the rail championships. pm still standing at the rail cham--ionshis. �* . , we'rejust under an hour and half away from start of the final, matt graveling is at alexandra palace for us. matt, it's been a phenomenal run. what a run and what a night it is going to be. quiet in here right now, but 3200 people are going to be coming in here to cheer on the warrington lad in about an hour's time. because if he had. i don't know about that. i think if you get to a final like that's regardless of your age, you want to go on and win it, but regardless of how well he has done, so many eyes on the support from the 16—year—old who is gone all the way. can he get over the line tonight on his seventh

game? is on sets the whole time. well, he's going to have to have to be the new world number one on the way to get there, but the way he has been playing commits notjust that he's been winning games commits the way he has won his only drop six sets the whole way through this tournament so far. he is already dispatched to world champions last night, but she really demolished 6-2. i think night, but she really demolished 6—2. i think a lot of people are rooting for him and with good reason to. the other thing i was going to say as well as how much young fans have been flocking here to get signatures and sell these their heroes. it is done amazing things for the sports of darts, and that was the same that was said by matt porter, the ceo of the darts who run this competition here. at first it was a novelty. the he won the match, he went another match, the snowball effect started to take place. celebrities were interested in him, his instagram

followers group. he interested in him, his instagram followers group.— interested in him, his instagram followers group. he kept winning, his performance _ followers group. he kept winning, his performance levels _ followers group. he kept winning, his performance levels didn't - followers group. he kept winning, | his performance levels didn't drop, next thing — his performance levels didn't drop, next thing he is in the final, the whole _ next thing he is in the final, the whole world is talking about him. a remarkable story they think transcends darts and takes this part to a different level. i think he's 'ust to a different level. i think he's just captured the public's imagination. people like to see good news stories. they like to see unsung — news stories. they like to see unsung heroes. they like to see young _ unsung heroes. they like to see young people doing well. he takes all of— young people doing well. he takes all of those boxes and people of all backgrounds have been really interested in his story. there is another man in the final, there is no doubt who is going to be there is no doubt who is going to be the villain of the piece tonight. luc humphreys the ground well number one, as you say, and coming into this tournament, he is the form player in world darts. 18 matches unbeaten- _ player in world darts. 18 matches unbeaten. you _ player in world darts. 18 matches unbeaten. you are _ player in world darts. 18 matches unbeaten. you are right, - player in world darts. 18 matches unbeaten. you are right, he - player in world darts. 18 matches. unbeaten. you are right, he would player in world darts. 18 matches - unbeaten. you are right, he would be the pantomime telling them i think it is fair to say, if he did and this fairy tale against luke littler tonight. but he has earned his place in the final. he won last night against scott williams and he won

easily. i mean, it was a demolition job. 6—0. and if you look at the semifinal before, he went 6—2. he had an average of 106. that in any game, surely, is going to win it for you. luke humphreys and his magic against scott williams, he had an average of 108. that is one of the top ten three darts averages in the history of this competition. so regardless of who is the hero and who is the villain, i think if both players turn up tonight, humphreys and littler, this is going to be one heck of a final. it and littler, this is going to be one heck of a final.— heck of a final. it could be one of the all-time _ heck of a final. it could be one of the all-time greats. _ heck of a final. it could be one of the all-time greats. what - heck of a final. it could be one of the all-time greats. what a - heck of a final. it could be one of| the all-time greats. what a place the all—time greats. what a place to be. matt craven, many thanks indeed. as we've learned over the last few weeks, littler developed his darts skills pretty much as soon as he could walk. he came through a darts academy in st helens , as did his good friend, 19—year—old eleanour cairns, who told me about when she first noticed littler. we started playing at the darts academy together when we was

about... i was about to probably 12 or 11 and he was obviously eight or nine. he was a special talent to bend. everybody was talking about and then. he had such a natural throw, natural go about ten, and now. ~ . , ., throw, natural go about ten, and now. ~ . , , now. what is it about him, he 'ust seems so confident. i now. what is it about him, he 'ust seems so confident. even i now. what is it about him, he just seems so confident. even then, . seems so confident. even then, did you think he looks a bit old for his age? you think he looks a bit old for his ace? . ., , you think he looks a bit old for his ace? . ., you think he looks a bit old for his aue? ., age? yeah, he has always can he definitely doesn't _ age? yeah, he has always can he definitely doesn't look _ age? yeah, he has always can he definitely doesn't look 16. - age? yeah, he has always can he definitely doesn't look 16. but. age? yeah, he has always can he definitely doesn't look 16. but he j definitely doesn't look 16. but he is 16. definitely doesn't look 16. but he i516. i definitely doesn't look 16. but he is 16. i will confirm. definitely doesn't look 16. but he is 16. iwill confirm. yeah, he is well columns, well focused. he's got his mind set on it. i think it's just because he knows what he can do and he knows he is good enough and he has that ability. i think itjust shows throughout the competition, really. he's amazing. the academy, even warrington wolves are loving him. his school, his old school, even the kebab shop love him now because of everything. he even the kebab shop love him now because of everything.— even the kebab shop love him now because of everything. he loves his

kebabs. because of everything. he loves his kebabs he — because of everything. he loves his kebabs. he loves _ because of everything. he loves his kebabs. he loves his _ because of everything. he loves his kebabs. he loves his darts. - because of everything. he loves his kebabs. he loves his darts. and - because of everything. he loves his| kebabs. he loves his darts. and now he is standing on the brink of something truly special. do you believe that he can do it? yeah, of course i believe that he can do it? yeah, of course i do- _ believe that he can do it? yeah, of course i do- i _ believe that he can do it? yeah, of course i do. i think— believe that he can do it? yeah, of course i do. i think he _ believe that he can do it? yeah, of course i do. i think he can - believe that he can do it? yeah, of course i do. i think he can go - believe that he can do it? yeah, of course i do. i think he can go all. course i do. i think he can go all the way, of course. but win or lose commit really doesn't matter, there is no pressure on him really. you became girls _ is no pressure on him really. you became girls world _ is no pressure on him really. you became girls world champion last year. he is a doublejunior champion, but to step up in the world darts championship, the greatest stage, how does he do that? how does he manage to remain focused? it how does he manage to remain focused? , . . , how does he manage to remain focused? ,. ., , , ., _ ., focused? it is crazy. obviously on that stage — focused? it is crazy. obviously on that stage it's _ focused? it is crazy. obviously on that stage it's a _ focused? it is crazy. obviously on that stage it's a completely - that stage it's a completely different atmosphere. i was very nervous. it shows that luke really isn't. it's incredible to see from day one to now. he's just been so calm and so collected, but he deserves to be up there. she will be watching him from the st helens academy darts later. we will arrive there later in the programme.

there's a lot of tennis going on, on the other side of the world with the first grand slam of the year, the australian open, starting a week on sunday. and emma raducanu won't have to qualify for it. as our tennis corrrespondent russel fuller told me, she's benefitted from a number of late withdrawals in melbourne. she has had a vacant 2a hours, because she won that comeback match with a three set win over elina gabriela risa, and then she found out that she would be in the main draw of the australian open. there was always a chance of that's when the entry list is published because she was only about six spots outside the main draw, not with her actual ranking, which is 301, but with a protected ranking of 103. and that reflects where she was when she left the tour in late april to ultimately have three operations, two on her hands and one on her left ankle, and as long as you are away from the two every six months, you are able to use this protected or a special ranking. so enough players have

withdrawn, including today, lauren davis of the united states at the shoulder injury. her loss is emma raducanu's game. she doesn't need to worry about qualifying him i had to win three rounds of qualifying in melbourne next week. she's directly into the main draw for the championships which begin on a sunday this time, i week on sunday. you are in brisbane, wrestled him in the story there has been naomi osaka's come back, but that has come to an end there in the brisbane international.— to an end there in the brisbane international. yes, ended up the second round, _ international. yes, ended up the second round, but— international. yes, ended up the second round, but i _ international. yes, ended up the second round, but i think- international. yes, ended up the second round, but i think she - international. yes, ended up the| second round, but i think she will be delighted with the two matches she has played, she their against her opponent in straight sets in her opening match and was today, winning this title more than anybody else, or upon instrument she is a three—time champion. she, like osaka, is a well number one, and it was a fantastic match. at that would've been a quarterfinal or semi—quarterfinal, he wouldn't have had any complaints. there is almost nothing between them. one more point than osaka, and the difference

really, was her ability to say ten to 12 break points, that big servant of hers very, very handy and she won the deciding set 6—4. again, you just have to be in awe of how well osaka explained plain, having had a baby injuly. very powerful but very consistent and clean both striking, her movement was excellent. i think she's quite excited about what she has been to achieve.— she's quite excited about what she has been to achieve. we've got that united kept — has been to achieve. we've got that united kept going — has been to achieve. we've got that united kept going on _ has been to achieve. we've got that united kept going on in _ has been to achieve. we've got that united kept going on in perth, - has been to achieve. we've got that united kept going on in perth, and. united kept going on in perth, and a real rarity there. at first defeat for novak check at the china australian soil and what is next six years? six. australian soil and what is next six ears? ,, , ., , �* , australian soil and what is next six ears? ,, i... ,': australian soil and what is next six ears? ,, _,, ,': , years? six years. he's143 matches in a years? six years. he's 143 matches in a row, years? six years. he's 143 matches in a row. a — years? six years. he's143 matches in a row. a ten _ years? six years. he's143 matches in a row, a ten time _ years? six years. he's143 matches in a row, a ten time australian - years? six years. he's143 matches| in a row, a ten time australian open champion, and has lost two and jack a edge when just one point against the first serve. there is potentially an injury problem for novak chocolates. it's hard to know how serious it is, but he was having treatment in the previous match as

well on either a wrist or a right forearm injury. so that it is also a concern for novak talk of edge. but he's managed to end the australian openin he's managed to end the australian open in recent years. 2021 said he tore a stomach muscle but still went on to win the title and had a hamstring problem coming into the championships last year, but he still ended up lifting the trophy. let's stay in that part of the world. david warner has started his 112th and final test for australia as they look to complete a 3—nil series whitewash over pakistan, and they've made a good start in brisbane, bowling the tourists out for 313 on the opening day. dan ogunshakin reports. 111th and final test. even when it was a star— 111th and final test. even when it was a star attraction _ 111th and final test. even when it was a star attraction in - 111th and final test. even when it was a star attraction in sydney l 111th and final test. even when it l was a star attraction in sydney but that they belong to pat cummins. for the fade straight innings, the australian captain took five pakistani pickets, celebrating is an all—too—familiar site. 18 wickets

the series and he's claimed big ones at key times. gone for 88 as pakistan threatened a revival, and his faith left them in deep trouble at 227 per nine.— his faith left them in deep trouble at 227 per nine. what a performer he is at the moment, _ at 227 per nine. what a performer he is at the moment, the _ at 227 per nine. what a performer he is at the moment, the skipper. - is at the moment, the skipper. there was, is at the moment, the skipper. there was. however. _ is at the moment, the skipper. there was, however, staying _ is at the moment, the skipper. there was, however, staying in _ is at the moment, the skipper. there was, however, staying in the - was, however, staying in the pakistan tail, striking 80 to steer them past 100. eventually getting them past 100. eventually getting the spotlight to warner and potentially has final test innings, he reminded everyone what they wellness. ~ , ., , he reminded everyone what they wellness. ~ , . , , wellness. will it be anything else? absolutely no _ wellness. will it be anything else? absolutely no surprise. _ wellness. will it be anything else? absolutely no surprise. there - wellness. will it be anything else? absolutely no surprise. there was| wellness. will it be anything else? l absolutely no surprise. there was a late scare. — absolutely no surprise. there was a late scare. a _ absolutely no surprise. there was a late scare, a close _ absolutely no surprise. there was a late scare, a close shave, _ absolutely no surprise. there was a late scare, a close shave, but - late scare, a close shave, but warner on day two. let's have a quick look at some of the other stories today and staying with cricket, 23 wickets fell on the first day of the second test between south africa and india. mohammed siraj took six wickets as they bowled the hosts out forjust 55 runs in cape town. they were then dismissed for 153 before south africa closed on 62—3 in their second innings,

captain dean elgar dismissed twice on the opening day of his farewell test. rory mcilroy says he would be open to play in a liv backed competitionif the controversial tour became more like cricket's indian premier league taking up a small window in the calendar. merger talks between the pga tour and saudi arabia's public investment fund which funds liv are continuing. saracens and england prop mako vunipola has been banned forfour games after his red card for a dangerous tackle in their premiership game against newcastle. he'll return in time for the start of the six nations if selected. a tricky month or so for some paramedic and scottish premiership sides as they lose some of their star players.

liverpool's the ivory costar the asian cup is taking place in qatar with both lasting four weeks from the middle of this month. our football reporter is here. many players have alreadyjoined up and they're going to miss the fa cup ties this weekend at england. they must hate it coming slap bang in the middle of the season. of course, some cubs are impacted more than others. , ' , , , ., some cubs are impacted more than others. , ' i, , ., some cubs are impacted more than others. ,' i, others. different types of impact as well. others. different types of impact as well- impact _ others. different types of impact as well- impact of _ others. different types of impact as well. impact of in _ others. different types of impact as well. impact of in terms _ others. different types of impact as well. impact of in terms of - others. different types of impact as. well. impact of in terms of numbers, nottingham forest using six players. massive impact. then he got cubs are impacted because their star player is leaving. brilliant farm at the moment. he of course will be leaving the liverpool squad to join up with egypt. you've got son at tottenham, one of the key players, going to the asian cup, but then you've got players and great farm, they are going off to the tournament, but it is interesting. 39 players going to the cup of nations in total. 31 to

the cup of nations in total. 31 to the africa cup of nations. that's actually down on 2021. it was 38 players going to years ago. so let's players going to years ago. so let's players going to years ago. so let's players going but still a big impact. players going but still a big imact. ,, . , , impact. strangely, the english champions. — impact. strangely, the english champions, the _ impact. strangely, the english champions, the tribal - impact. strangely, the english| champions, the tribal winners, unaffected completely. thea;r champions, the tribal winners, unaffected completely. they used to be badly affected. _ unaffected completely. they used to be badly affected. until— unaffected completely. they used to be badly affected. until recently, - be badly affected. until recently, he gone to the saudi probably come a big part of the algeria team. wanted in 2019. the big effect they use to have was torre, when he used to go off and that used affect title races. famously when he went off to the 2012 cup of nations, they went on to win the league that year, but apparently roberto mancini gathered them in the dressing room when he was at the cup of nations to try to motivate them and said you are all rubbish, he came up with that story, but it did motivate them and they went on to win the league stop at the scottish premiership leader, they have been hit really hard. for players, theirformer manager, they

did so well dipping into the asian market, picked up some brilliant players, but it does affect them going into the asian cup, owen yang as well in the south korea squad, absent and hearts have been affected, 15 players in total from the top flight of scottish football going to the asian cup, so again, big impact. going to the asian cup, so again, big impact-— big impact. lester's pushing a championship. _ big impact. lester's pushing a championship, that _ big impact. lester's pushing a championship, that could - big impact. lester's pushing a championship, that could be l championship, that could be affected. . �* , championship, that could be affected. . v . , championship, that could be affected. . �*, . , ., affected. that's an interesting one because we _ affected. that's an interesting one because we have _ affected. that's an interesting one because we have had _ affected. that's an interesting one because we have had news - affected. that's an interesting one because we have had news on - affected. that's an interesting onej because we have had news on that affected. that's an interesting one - because we have had news on that one today. will fred has been a big part of the nigeria team since 2015. leicester city player has had to plot of the nigerian squad today due to injury. four lesser players were due to go. so he will play. another player, one of their really exciting wingers, he decided not to go because he is unknown at the moment a monster turn into a permanent deal. it could have been a big impact, it is less of a big impact

now. some big names of the champion ship going. it's a mess of honour for these players. as much as the cubs are frustrated commits a huge honour for these players to represent their country at a major tournament. represent their country at a ma'or tournamentd represent their country at a ma'or tournament. �* . , , ., ., tournament. barring in'ury, you are off to the ivory h tournament. barring in'ury, you are off to the ivory coast _ tournament. barring injury, you are off to the ivory coast as _ tournament. barring injury, you are off to the ivory coast as well. - tournament. barring injury, you are off to the ivory coast as well. lots l off to the ivory coast as well. lots more from john and guests on bbc sounds. john bennett, many thanks indeed. let's have a quick look at some of the other football headlines... sirjim ratcliffe has been visiting old trafford and manchester united's training centre for the first time since a deal was agreed to acquire 25% of the club. he was accompanied by sir dave brailsford and jean—claude blanc, who will become directors when ratcliffe s purchase goes through. jude bellingham is on the shortlist for fifpro's world eleven team. the midfielfder has scored 17 goals for real madrid since making the move from borussia dortmund in the summer. john stones, kyle walker and harry kane also make the 23—man shortlist. and bbc sports personality of the year winner mary earps is one

of eight lionesses nominated for the team. the final world eleven will be announced onjanuary the 15th in london. a pioneer of boxing, former world championjane couch is going to take her place alongside some of the greatest fighters in history. "the fleetwood assassin", is the first british women to be inducted into the international hall of fame. she'll receive the accolade in new york injune, along with ricky hatton as ian haslam reports. five time boxing world champion, jane couch is a legend in her sport, a fact for their emphasised by her latest accolade. jne a fact for their emphasised by her latest accolade.— a fact for their emphasised by her latest accolade. jne you are in the boxin: latest accolade. jne you are in the boxing hall— latest accolade. jne you are in the boxing hall of— latest accolade. jne you are in the boxing hall of fame. _ latest accolade. jne you are in the boxing hall of fame. how- latest accolade. jne you are in the boxing hall of fame. how does i latest accolade. jne you are in the boxing hall of fame. how does it | boxing hall of fame. how does it feel. i'mjust boxing hall of fame. how does it feel. i'm just really overwhelmed. a girl from fleetwood, any —— getting anywhere near the hall of fame is such a remarkable achievement. i'm so excited about it.— so excited about it. some of those names and — so excited about it. some of those names and that _ so excited about it. some of those names and that hall _ so excited about it. some of those names and that hall of _ so excited about it. some of those names and that hall of fame - so excited about it. some of those i

names and that hall of fame included mohamed _ names and that hall of fame included mohamed ali and barry mclagan. george _ mohamed ali and barry mclagan. george foreman.— george foreman. frazier. just -inchin~ george foreman. frazier. just pinching yourself _ george foreman. frazier. just pinching yourself moments. it george foreman. frazier. just i pinching yourself moments. it is back in the _ pinching yourself moments. it is back in the mid—19 90s that jane back in the mid—19 90s thatjane took on the british boxing world for the right to fight in the professional ranks. in the right to fight in the professional ranks. the right to fight in the rofessional ranks. ., professional ranks. in the world champion. _ professional ranks. in the world champion. and _ professional ranks. in the world champion, and when _ professional ranks. in the world champion, and when a - professional ranks. in the world champion, and when a fight - professional ranks. in the world j champion, and when a fight and professional ranks. in the world - champion, and when a fight and the other countries, they pay the national anthem behind me for my country, which is funny because they don't even let me box here. it's got to change. in don't even let me box here. it's got to chance. " 'i~ don't even let me box here. it's got to change-— to change. in 1998, it did, following _ to change. in 1998, it did, following a _ to change. in 1998, it did, following a tribunal- to change. in 1998, it did, following a tribunal where | to change. in 1998, it did, - following a tribunal where women date labelled too unstable to box, the bridge boxing part of control were to grantjane a professional licence. were to grant jane a professional licence. �* , ., licence. i've been fighting for ears licence. i've been fighting for years for— licence. i've been fighting for years for this _ licence. i've been fighting for years for this day. _ licence. i've been fighting for years for this day. it - licence. i've been fighting for years for this day. it means l licence. i've been fighting for years for this day. it means i | licence. i've been fighting for. years for this day. it means i can be boxing on the same bill as prince nicene and everything at wembley. people in england can actually see me fight. people in england can actually see me fiuht. �* , ., me fight. after they have, the next aeneration me fight. after they have, the next generation of— me fight. after they have, the next generation of women _ me fight. after they have, the next generation of women boxers, - generation of women boxers, liverpool champion natasha jonas is one of many fighters to benefit. it wouldn't be women's boxing in his country where it not for you. fit country where it not for you. of course. the case that we thought was

really sexist, really against women, the boxing board just didn't want women's boxing, but when you look where it is now, i knew i was right all them years ago because i was boxing on all the big shows in america. . ., ., boxing on all the big shows in america. ., ., ., , america. ricky hatton has also been inducted into — america. ricky hatton has also been inducted into the _ america. ricky hatton has also been inducted into the hall— america. ricky hatton has also been inducted into the hall of— america. ricky hatton has also been inducted into the hall of fame and l inducted into the hall of fame and he is going with you on that flight to new york. what will that be like? i think when we look at that, we will have a few drinks, me and ricky, yeah. make the northwest proud. he is like myself, just down to earth, you know? comes from a council estate like i come from a council estate like i come from a council estate in fleetwood. when we get to new york, you've got to do a speech in front of all of these champions and all the top journalists from america will be like, oh my god.— journalists from america will be l like, oh my god._ the like, oh my god. jane couch. the megabytes _ like, oh my god. jane couch. the megabytes services _ like, oh my god. jane couch. the megabytes services to _ like, oh my god. jane couch. the megabytes services to boxing - like, oh my god. jane couch. the| megabytes services to boxing him like, oh my god. jane couch. the l megabytes services to boxing him i thought that was big, and now to be in the boxing hall of fame is like, wow, i knewi in the boxing hall of fame is like, wow, i knew i was right. i knew that women could fight. still got it,

though. 55 and still got it. i might make a comeback yet, you never know. a boxing trailblazer, jane couch. let's return to our top story, luke littler, the 16—year—old in the world darts championship final later. he faces the world number one luke humphries. littler�*s close friends and family will be at alexandra palace, but hundreds more will be watching from the north west. our north of england correspondent nick garnett is at the st helens darts academy, they've had some good nights there over the past few weeks, but tonight could be very special. what will tonight be like do you reckon? , , ., reckon? listen, listen, tonight it is so popular _ reckon? listen, listen, tonight it is so popular here _ reckon? listen, listen, tonight it is so popular here now _ reckon? listen, listen, tonight it is so popular here now that - reckon? listen, listen, tonight it. is so popular here now that they are going to have to put a waiting list

and because so many people want to come and join. they have around 90 people coming down to play here all the time, every week. you can see some of them behind me, just loads of them out and about, if you look at set the players have got on the back of their shirts, they are brilliant. can i have a look at the back of your shirts, so this is lydia, the darting diva over there. and if you look at the boards as well, you have dave chase each is nose there. luke lit letter, you have lisa ashton, the lancashire rose. we could have allie the aki foster, couldn't we? this and parcel of the game and it's what they are already keen on keen on playing on. alisson is on of the secretaries here. alisson, you have been looking after and shouting out all the players to go and join in and get going. how important is tonight? it's absolutely massive. you know, whatever— it's absolutely massive. you know, whatever happens to him tonight, it is absolutely fantastic. what whatever happens to him tonight, it is absolutely fantastic.— is absolutely fantastic. what does it mean for _ is absolutely fantastic. what does it mean for the _ is absolutely fantastic. what does it mean for the club _ is absolutely fantastic. what does it mean for the club as _ is absolutely fantastic. what does it mean for the club as well? - is absolutely fantastic. what does| it mean for the club as well? what does his success mean for you? this is where he — does his success mean for you? this is where he started out as a young

boy playing the ranks there, gone on to play— boy playing the ranks there, gone on to play youth starts up to where he is now _ to play youth starts up to where he is now so — to play youth starts up to where he is now. so for all these youngsters, they all— is now. so for all these youngsters, they all look— is now. so for all these youngsters, they all look up to him. he's got his own — they all look up to him. he's got his own board here.— they all look up to him. he's got his own board here. does he come back? he he _ his own board here. does he come back? he he does. _ his own board here. does he come back? he he does. he _ his own board here. does he come back? he he does. he is _ his own board here. does he come back? he he does. he is really - back? he he does. he is really grounded. _ back? he he does. he is really grounded, down _ back? he he does. he is really grounded, down to _ back? he he does. he is really grounded, down to earth. - back? he he does. he is really - grounded, down to earth. whenever he can he _ grounded, down to earth. whenever he can he comes _ grounded, down to earth. whenever he can he comes back and talks to the children— can he comes back and talks to the children from a place against the children— children from a place against the children from a place against the children from a place against children, children from a place against the children, gives them tips and advice — children, gives them tips and advice. ,., ., x' children, gives them tips and advice. a ., children, gives them tips and advice. ., . ., , advice. good luck tonight. what is amazinu advice. good luck tonight. what is amazing about _ advice. good luck tonight. what is amazing about him _ advice. good luck tonight. what is amazing about him is _ advice. good luck tonight. what is amazing about him is how- advice. good luck tonight. what is amazing about him is how cool- advice. good luck tonight. what is| amazing about him is how cool and relaxed he is. it's only 16 years old. he started playing when he was still in nappies. the amazing thing is you look at some of these young players here, they are so small that they have to have chairs to climb up on and get their own darts back from the dartboard. to be honest, i will need one of those if i try it as well. , ., ., well. the balls i garnet there from the st helens _ well. the balls i garnet there from the st helens dart _ well. the balls i garnet there from the st helens dart many _ well. the balls i garnet there from the st helens dart many thanks i the st helens dart many thanks indeed luke the new countries, the 16—year—old looking to become world champion. follow that on the bbc sport website. there is a special sportsday podcast on bbc sounds. luke lit letter, the boy who changed

darts, but from me and the rest of the team, goodbye. hello. after the wind and rain from storm henk on tuesday — wednesday brought more heavy downpours in places. not helping the ongoing flooding situation, check the latest flood warnings on our website or on your bbc local radio station. and there is some more rain to come as we head through tonight. still some showers around, but some clearer spells starting to spread from the south—west as the night wears on. temperatures will drop away down to around three, four or five degrees in quite a few spots. one or two places could get quite close to freezing. so we head in to thursday with low pressure still in charge to the north that will bring some showers. and then this little weather system here threatening to bring more unwanted rain into southern parts of the uk. so across northern england, northern ireland and scotland, a lot of clouds and bits and pieces of showery rain still very windy in the northern isles.

then a slice of sunshine across north wales, parts of northern england, the north midlands through the afternoon, but to the south of that cloud will be gathering and here comes our next area of rain. now, this is going to deal a glancing blow, really, but it is going to slide along the southern counties of england, perhaps getting into south—east wales and then moving up across the london area and into east anglia through thursday evening. this rain falling on saturated ground so could well cause furtherflooding issues. it may turn quite windy for a time down towards the south as well. that weather system swirling its way off into the near continent on friday. still some showery rain across eastern scotland and eastern england. sunshine and showers out towards the west. temperatures a little bit lower by this stage, 6—9 degrees. and then as we head into the weekend, low pressure will at long last loosen its grip. high pressure will be building across the uk, still possibly one or two showers, but a lot more in the way of dry weather. i'm sure that'll be

good news for many. however, we will also start to introduce some colder air. so saturday looks a little bit like this — still some areas of cloud, a few bits and pieces of showery rain around, but broadly speaking does turn dry up brighter some spells of sunshine once any early morning mist has clear, but those temperatures 6—9 degrees at best. and as we look ahead to sunday, those temperatures may drop back even further. lots of dry weather after any early mist and fog and it stays mostly dry but chilly into next week.

live from london. this is bbc news. more than a hundred people die in iran — in two explosions near the grave of a top revolutionary guards commander. the united nations peacekeeping mission in lebanon says it is deeply concerned about rising tensions — following the killing of a senior hamas figure. and junior doctors in england begin a six—day walk—out over pay — the longest strike in the health service's history. and this history—making teenager is on target for further glory. 16—year—old luke littler could tonight become the youngest player to win the world darts championship. hello, i'm ben thompson, welcome to the programme. more than 100 people have been

killed and scores more injured in two explosions in southeastern iran, near the grave of a top