south to take us on the sunday but the big question comes over how much of a double develops on the weather front and how long that will linger but at the moment it looks like a bad start across the south—east, a hang back of rain across parts of the midlands and north wales, a chance that could clear through and if it does it will be a dry and bright day but we will still see some sunny spells breaking through across many northern and western areas and around the english channel. temperatures on the mine site so a mile start to next week, be prepared for rain at times and some brisk wind but overall a story of things turning colour so temperatures back to normal at the end of the week. take care. let's take a look at some other stories making news. the man viewed by german prosecutors as the main suspect in the case of the british toddler madeleine mccann will go on trial in central

germany this morning. these pictures have just come into the newsroom from the courthouse. christian bruckner has been charged with a series of unrelated rape and other sexual offences. and jessica parkerjoins us live now from the court in braunschweig. jess, bring us up to date on what's been happening there. a pretty confusing morning here in the courthouse in braunschweig, lower saxony. proceedings that get under way, 47—year—old christian bruckner the main suspect named by german prosecutors in madeleine mccann�*s disappearance, although he has always denied involvement, has never been charged, but he appeared in court to face these five other unrelated allegations of sex offences. but as the trial started to get under way, the defence team objected to one of the layjudges

that were sitting in the court. they said that she had previously on social media shown radical views completely unrelated to the trial or to christian bruckner, they say she had posted social media posts inciting violence against the former brazilian presidentjair bolsonaro. brazilian president jair bolsonaro. but brazilian presidentjair bolsonaro. but they said they show she was unsuitable to carry out the role, so there was a break in proceedings of about half an hour. then everyone went back into the courtroom, which is that courtroom there, you can see the doors are closed now because things are done for the day now, the prosecution agreed this needed to be looked into. so the trial has effectively now been postponed, we think for about a week, when next friday now things will resume. there will be a decision on these allegations against the layjudge and whether she can continue in post. so things are now done for the day. we have seen christian bruckner for the first time since he was named an official suspect in the madeleine mccann case in court, but

the proceedings in times of the other charges will now be delayed for a week in a trial that is already due to stretch over a number of months. �* , , ., already due to stretch over a number of months. �* , i. ~ ., already due to stretch over a number of months. �* , , ., ~ ., ., of months. and beyond knowing that christian bruckner _ of months. and beyond knowing that christian bruckner spent _ of months. and beyond knowing that christian bruckner spent time - of months. and beyond knowing that christian bruckner spent time in - of months. and beyond knowing that christian bruckner spent time in the | christian bruckner spent time in the algarve, we don't really know why he is a suspect in the madeleine mccann case, do we? is a suspect in the madeleine mccann case. do we?— case, do we? well, there have been some details — case, do we? well, there have been some details released _ case, do we? well, there have been some details released by _ case, do we? well, there have been some details released by german i some details released by german prosecutors as to why they think that christian bruckner is the main suspect. they have actually classed it as a murder inquiry. but you're right, overall, they have never released the full details of their investigation, and he has never, to this day, been charged. so, one of the reasons i think that this trial is of interest to the overall picture in the madeleine mccann case is that christian bruckner is already serving a jail term at the moment for seven years for another sex offences that he was convicted fourin sex offences that he was convicted four in 2019, but a jail term is due

to end in december 2026. so this trial at the moment, where he does face charges of sex offences that are alleged to have been carried out in portugal between 2000 and 2017, it could determine whether he stays in prison beyond that current release date. so it is being seen as significant in that way. and as i mentioned before, it is the first time we have seen him properly since he was named as a suspect all the way back in 2020 by german prosecutors. way back in 2020 by german prosecutors-_ way back in 2020 by german prosecutors. the fact that he is embroiled _ prosecutors. the fact that he is embroiled now _ prosecutors. the fact that he is embroiled now in _ prosecutors. the fact that he is embroiled now in this - prosecutors. the fact that he is | embroiled now in this particular legal process, does that frustrate the ambitions are the efforts of the prosecutors to look into his activities surrounding the madeleine mccann case?— mccann case? well, as far as we understand _ mccann case? well, as far as we understand it, _ mccann case? well, as far as we understand it, they _ mccann case? well, as far as we understand it, they do _ mccann case? well, as far as we understand it, they do not - mccann case? well, as far as we | understand it, they do not release lots of details on an ongoing basis about that investigation, but that continues, the madeleine mccann investigation. this is now an

investigation. this is now an investigation that has spanned over more than 15 years. madeleine mccann are many people will remember, a three—year—old british girl who disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in the portuguese resort of praia do luce in may 2007. there has been investigations involving portuguese authorities, british authorities, now the german authorities as well. they were the first back in 2020 to identify christian bruckner, who was already in jail by this christian bruckner, who was already injail by this point, as a christian bruckner, who was already in jail by this point, as a suspect. then it was about two years later that the portuguese authorities said he was an official suspect, as well. as far as we understand it, that investigation is still proceeding. but obviously the allegations here, that the defensive side are based on very shaky foundations, according to christian bruckner�*s lawyer, that trial will now continue and obviously be watched closely by everybody who has an interest or is observing the madeleine mccann case.

and that ongoing investigation as well. , w and that ongoing investigation as well. , ., ~ , well. desk packer, thank you very much indeed. _ well. desk packer, thank you very much indeed. -- _ well. desk packer, thank you very much indeed. -- jess _ well. desk packer, thank you very much indeed. -- jess parker. - donald trump will next month become the first former president to go on criminal trial. a new yorkjudge on thursday denied mr trump's bid to have criminal charges thrown out, instead setting a court date for the end of march. he's accused of falsifying business records in connection with payments made to an adult film star, stormy daniels. that's a name that's chased him for years, and a scandal he's had difficulty putting behind him. sarah smith reports from new york. this is now a familiar scene. donald trump's motorcade arriving at a courthouse. today, as he tried and failed to get this case dismissed or delayed, he argued these prosecutions interfere with his campaign to get back into the white house. how can you run for election to be sitting in a courthouse in manhattan all day long? i'm supposed to be in south carolina right now where other people are and where, again, this is where i should be. mr trump's also facing trial later this year in atlanta, georgia,

on charges of election interference. the district attorney who brought the case against him, fani willis, has admitted having an affair with the man she appointed as the chief prosecutor. she was questioned about that in court today. defense lawyers want to have her disqualified because of that relationship. i think in one of your motions, you tried to implicate i slept with him at that conference, which i find to be extremely offensive. mr trump's already using this scandal to try to undermine the case against him. donald trump insists all the prosecutions against him are deliberately designed to try to stop him from being reelected president, even though so far they have, in fact, boosted his political support. next month, he will become the first everformer president to face a criminal trial. sara smith, bbc news, new york. two 15—year—old boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 16—year—old boy was stabbed to death in bristol on wednesday evening. a warning that danjohnson�*s report contains some flashing images.

this ordinary van is a makeshift ambulance. and these are the last moments of a teenage life, taken on bristol streets at six o'clock on wednesday evening. in the passenger seat is a 16—year—old boy who's just been stabbed. we're not going to show you what happens as the door opens and he falls to the pavement. i just came out of the shop and i saw the van was parked there and the guy was laying down on the floor. anni he was trying to help. —— annie was trying to help. i can only imagine the pain he was going through, the agony. he was covered in blood completely, really. really? yes. on his back? on his back. 12 minutes later, paramedics and an ambulance arrive. i don't know if he was still alive, but he wasn't conscious, he wasn't breathing. and then, they done surgery on the spot. but it was too late already. it's really sad.

half a mile away, this is the children's play area where he was attacked, detectives say, by two people wearing masks who rode off on bikes. we're told the boy ran from the park looking for help. he made it to the main road here and a van driver stopped to assist him. they drove to the local police station, but they found that had closed nearly a year ago. this is the third fatal teenage stabbing in bristol in a month. others have been seriously injured, too. police say there's no evidence they're linked, but they'd already announced extra patrols. now it's greater stop and search powers. what do you think is the root of this problem, and what's the key to solving it? you look at the age of those involved. the high levels of violence that are being used, the weapons that are being carried currently, it's like something i've not seen before. we need to work with communities. we need to work with families. we need to work with schools to try and turn these behaviours around.

the investigation works continuing here into the night, and there are more police officers out on the streets. it's worth saying bristol doesn't have the worst record in terms of knife crime or youth violence, but this city has felt the worst impact of it over the last few weeks. 90 minutes after he was stabbed, all hope has gone. we don't yet know the name of this young man, but his life ended violently atjust 16 years old, leaving a murder investigation and so many questions of why this keeps happening. dan johnson, bbc news. voting begins today to select mark drakeford's successor as the leader of welsh labour and the next first minister of wales. members of the welsh labour party and affiliated trade unions will choose between two current ministers, vaughan gething and jeremy miles. the ballot closes on the 14th march. the broadcaster itv confirm

ben shephard and cat deeley as the new presenting duo for this morning. shepard and deeley will replace holly willloughby, who left the programme in last october, and philip schofield, who quitted the presenting role injune of 2023. let's return to our coverage of those two by—elections overnight. labour are celebrating — overturning big conservative majorities in two seats. in wellingborough, in northamptonshire, gen kitchen reversed a tory majority of more than 18,500 from 2019. the swing of 28.5% is the largest for 30 years. in the south gloucestershire constituency of kingswood, damien egan overturned a conservative majority of more than 11—thousand. earlier i spoke with polling guru sirjohn curtice, professor of politics at the university of strathclyde the one new thing we have got out of this by—election, just reflected in your previous contribution, is the fact that it

does now look as though reform uk are able to win a notable share of the vote. we know from the polling data that a lot of that is coming from people who voted conservative in 2019. not all of them will necessarily vote conservative if reform went on the ballot paper, but it is pretty clear that reform will do more damage to the conservatives than they are to labour. and that is not going to be enough for reform themselves to win a seat, but it does increase the risk to conservative mps that they will lose their seat to labour, particularly if you bear in mind that is in the two constituency reform predecessor, the brexit party, did not stand in 2019 because they stood down and all the seats the conservatives were defending. richard tice, the current reform leader, has made it clear thatis reform leader, has made it clear that is not going to happen. the evidence of recent opinion polls, that reform are now taking vote of

the conservatives, the evidence of these by—elections are certainly consistent with that evidence. 0therwise, consistent with that evidence. otherwise, any sense, it is almost more of the same, except with perhaps slightly more exaggerated fashion, based in wellingborough. that is the conservatives are in deep electoral trouble. they have been a deep electoral trouble ever since the premiership of liz truss, and we have seen a second biggest swing from conservative to labour in wellingborough ever. the biggest ball and a conservative support ever in wellingborough. —— biggest fall. the circumstances surrounding the downfall of peter ball, the local conservative mp, in succession by his partner as conservative candidate, that might have added spice to the conservatives' difficulties, but they should not lose votes on that kind of scale. meanwhile, in kingswood, the fall in conservative support, 21 points, is in line with opinion polls. wejust got basically more evidence, in

addition to the by—elections in the second half of last year, in line with the opinion polls, that the conservatives are struggling to do very much at all to recover from the disaster that the liz truss administration proved to be for them. is administration proved to be for them. , ,.,, ., , administration proved to be for them. , , ., them. is this conservatives are losin: them. is this conservatives are losing ground _ them. is this conservatives are losing ground or— them. is this conservatives are losing ground or on _ them. is this conservatives are losing ground or on labour- them. is this conservatives are - losing ground or on labour gaining ground? i losing ground or on labour gaining round? ~' ,., , losing ground or on labour gaining round? ~ ,., , ., ground? i think the point is that conservatives _ ground? i think the point is that conservatives are _ ground? i think the point is that conservatives are losing - ground? i think the point is that conservatives are losing ground j conservatives are losing ground heavily. the polls are saying that in terms of the transfer of votes, half of the conservative vote that is defecting is going to labour and half is going to reform. basically, the labour party got roughly half... their vote went up by roughly half of the decline in the conservative vote and reform more or less took up the rest of the slack. that is more or less the position in both constituencies. we have to be careful about trying to read flows of the votes of by—election results, but the truth is the evidence is all consistent, that it isn'tjust a going from tory to labour, which is

what's a keir starmer would like us to believe, it is also the conservatives going to reform. of course, that in itself makes life easier for labour so far as picking up easier for labour so far as picking up seats are concerned. and we should acknowledge particularly the labour performance in wellingborough, may be helped by local circumstances, but that 19 point increase is one of labour's best performances in post—war by—elections. best performances in post-war by-elections-— best performances in post-war b -elections. ~ . , . by-elections. what can be deduced from the turnout, _ by-elections. what can be deduced from the turnout, 3896 _ by-elections. what can be deduced from the turnout, 3896 in _ from the turnout, 38% in wellingborough and 37% in kingswood? how does that stack up? is is wellingborough and 3796 in kingswood? how does that stack up?— how does that stack up? is is nearly the case, how does that stack up? is is nearly the case. the _ how does that stack up? is is nearly the case, the parties _ how does that stack up? is is nearly the case, the parties that _ how does that stack up? is is nearly the case, the parties that did - how does that stack up? is is nearly the case, the parties that did badlyl the case, the parties that did badly last night said, our voters stayed at home, there might be some truth in that, but there is no guarantee they will return in general election. what i think all parties need to bear in mind is that on average across all of the by—elections this parliament, we are now looking at a record fall in turnout. the last parliament in which the turnout was on the same

scale as now, around 28 points, was the parliament of 1997—2001. at the end of which turn out any general election fell to 59%. i think there is a clear message here to all of the parties, all of the leaders, that we are looking at a discontented electorate, probably a pessimistic electorate, but it is not entirely clear yet that all of them are convinced that going to the polling station and casting a vote for any of them is necessarily going to improve their lot. and any sense all of the parties need to be able to convince them that in fact it will be worth doing so. we've been hearing from the labour party leader keir starmer this morning. earlier, he told bbc breakfast he was very pleased with the result but said his team still had more work to do ahead of an election. understandably we are very pleased with those results. these were huge swings to labour. the wellingborough one was the second biggest swing in

a by—election since the second world war, so this is a very significant swing. i think there is a message now from these by—elections, we had a number of them last year, as you remember, i think the country is crying out for change, everybody knows that things are not working, the nhs isn't working, a cost of living crisis, i think they have concluded that the tories have failed after 1a years. they can see now the labour party has changed, it is a different party to the party in 2019, and they can see that we have got the answers to their problems. i was very pleased last night to see that we were clearly getting tory switches, not about people who had not voted for the labour party before, coming out last out and voting for the labour party in a by—election. think that vindicates. .. by—election. think that vindicates... i would say this to my team, there is more work to do, there's always more work to do. there is a long to go before this

election. as every football fan knows, you do not win the league by a good win in february. we have got to keep at this, earn every vote. let me put a thought to you. it is one thing, and it is manifest when you look at the results, that the tory vote is disappearing, there are problems in terms of the way people are seeing the conservative party, and you have just won those two by—elections, that is also clear, but do you feel like, as keir starmer, future potential prime minister, that this is a glowing endorsement of you? i minister, that this is a glowing endorsement of you?- minister, that this is a glowing endorsement of you? i think that if ou look endorsement of you? i think that if you look at — endorsement of you? i think that if you look at these _ endorsement of you? i think that if you look at these two _ endorsement of you? i think that if you look at these two results, - endorsement of you? i think that if you look at these two results, you | you look at these two results, you can see the vindication of the hard work that i have done as leader and we have done together. i will tell you why, just take wellingborough as an example, because i know you will have no end of tory spokespeople out today saying it is a by—election, mid—term, which it isn't any more, by the way, to slow turnout. in

wellingborough, yes, there is a low turnout, that heads to be the position in by—elections, but more people voted labour yesterday that voted labour in 2019, despite the low turnout. is not possible unless people who did not vote labour before have come over to us. you have slightly _ before have come over to us. you have slightly deflected the question, which is whether you see it as a glowing endorsement of you. if these predictions come true and labour wins the general election, you will be prime minister. do you see this as a glowing endorsement of you? see this as a glowing endorsement of ou? ., , ., ,., . you? the only reason i deflect the ruestion, you? the only reason i deflect the question. do _ you? the only reason i deflect the question, do not— you? the only reason i deflect the question, do not tend _ you? the only reason i deflect the question, do not tend to - you? the only reason i deflect the i question, do not tend to personalise it. but yes i am very proud of the result, proud of the work i have done as leader. that was the second biggest swing since the second world war. we have had a lot of labour leaders in that period. i have changed the labour party and we have brought in a very good result last night. i do not want to get in the warm bath of saying, job done, which

is why i am not deflecting but do not want to completely absorb your question because my message to my team as there is more work to do. meanwhile, the conservative mp, sir jacob rees—mogg was at the kingswood count. 0ur political correspondent hannah miller asked for his reaction to the result. it is not as bad as i expected. if you add together the conservative and reform — if you add together the conservative and reform party vote, it is more than _ and reform party vote, it is more than the — and reform party vote, it is more than the labour party vote. labour did not— than the labour party vote. labour did not get— than the labour party vote. labour did not get over 50%. bear in mind, this was— did not get over 50%. bear in mind, this was a _ did not get over 50%. bear in mind, this was a seat labour held throughout its period of government from 1997 _ throughout its period of government from 1997 to 2010. if it is not winning — from 1997 to 2010. if it is not winning and winning strongly here in a by—election, then its prospects for the _ a by—election, then its prospects for the general election are not that good. for the general election are not that good-— for the general election are not that ood. , , . . , . that good. this is clearly a good result for labour, _ that good. this is clearly a good result for labour, though, - that good. this is clearly a good result for labour, though, and i that good. this is clearly a good - result for labour, though, and what you make of the reform vote, they have come third ahead of the liberal democrats and the greens, what risk is that to the conservative party? that is a fundamental challenge for the conservative party, how do we

persuade — the conservative party, how do we persuade the coalition that voted for as— persuade the coalition that voted for as in— persuade the coalition that voted for as in 2019 to voters in 2024? i think— for as in 2019 to voters in 2024? i think that — for as in 2019 to voters in 2024? i think that means that we need to be offering _ think that means that we need to be offering policies that the conservatives have always stood for. we need _ conservatives have always stood for. we need to— conservatives have always stood for. we need to be getting taxes down, getting _ we need to be getting taxes down, getting the economy going, we need the bank— getting the economy going, we need the bank of england to start cutting interest— the bank of england to start cutting interest rates. it has delayed doing that, _ interest rates. it has delayed doing that, as _ interest rates. it has delayed doing that, as it— interest rates. it has delayed doing that, as it delayed putting them up, and we _ that, as it delayed putting them up, and we have had terrible failure is in monetary policy. we need to re—examine the green policies which are putting _ re—examine the green policies which are putting intolerable burdens on businesses and indeed on individuals.— businesses and indeed on individuals. ., ., ., individuals. forgive me, i do not have the numbers _ individuals. forgive me, i do not have the numbers in _ individuals. forgive me, i do not have the numbers in front - individuals. forgive me, i do not have the numbers in front of- individuals. forgive me, i do not have the numbers in front of me j have the numbers in front of me right now, but from memory i think i would be right in saying, and i'm sure i will be corrected by me if i'm not, ithink sure i will be corrected by me if i'm not, i think i would be right in saying that if you vote to the labour vote this evening... have reform cost the conservatives the election this evening?— election this evening? party does not have the _ election this evening? party does not have the divine _ election this evening? party does not have the divine right - election this evening? party does not have the divine right to - election this evening? party does | not have the divine right to voters. we have _ not have the divine right to voters. we have to — not have the divine right to voters. we have to convince them. but there is a lot— we have to convince them. but there is a lot of— we have to convince them. but there is a lot of common ground between the conservative party and the reform — the conservative party and the reform party, therefore we need to make _ reform party, therefore we need to make sure — reform party, therefore we need to make sure that we appeal to those

voters _ make sure that we appeal to those voters. |f— make sure that we appeal to those voters. ., ., , ., voters. if the reform party did not exist as a threat _ voters. if the reform party did not exist as a threat to _ voters. if the reform party did not exist as a threat to the _ exist as a threat to the conservative party, with those voters have anywhere to go other than the conservative party and would you have won? i than the conservative party and would you have won?— than the conservative party and would you have won? i think a lot of conservative — would you have won? i think a lot of conservative stayed _ would you have won? i think a lot of conservative stayed at _ would you have won? i think a lot of conservative stayed at home. - would you have won? i think a lot of conservative stayed at home. you i would you have won? i think a lot of| conservative stayed at home. you do not know _ conservative stayed at home. you do not know whether reform voters may have stayed — not know whether reform voters may have stayed at home. i do not think it is quite _ have stayed at home. i do not think it is quite as — have stayed at home. i do not think it is quite as simple as that. also, it is quite as simple as that. also, it is quite as simple as that. also, it is a _ it is quite as simple as that. also, it is a hit— it is quite as simple as that. also, it is a bit arrogant to say voters would — it is a bit arrogant to say voters would just _ it is a bit arrogant to say voters would just have shifted over, but it shows _ would just have shifted over, but it shows where we need to be focusing our appeat — shows where we need to be focusing our a- eal. ~ ., shows where we need to be focusing oura eal. . ., ., , shows where we need to be focusing oura eal . ., ., ,., ., shows where we need to be focusing ouraueal . ., ., ,., ., , our appeal. what does all of this mean tonight. — our appeal. what does all of this mean tonight, looking _ our appeal. what does all of this mean tonight, looking at - our appeal. what does all of this mean tonight, looking at a - our appeal. what does all of this - mean tonight, looking at a potential by—election defeat in wellingborough, as well, what does it mean for rishi sunak�*s leadership and your confidence in him moving forward to a general election? rishi sunak's leadership _ forward to a general election? rishi sunak's leadership is solid. by—elections do not change that. since _ by—elections do not change that. since 1963 or 64, we have got used to by—election results being erratio _ to by—election results being erratio it— to by—election results being erratic. it is to something that happens _ erratic. it is to something that happens i_ erratic. it is to something that happens. i don't think we should be surprised _ happens. i don't think we should be surprised. to some extent, we should be reassured — surprised. to some extent, we should be reassured by the low turnout. when _ be reassured by the low turnout. when tony— be reassured by the low turnout. when tony blair was about to win in

1997. _ when tony blair was about to win in 1997, there — when tony blair was about to win in 1997, there is quite a high turnout in by—elections because people were enthusiastic and switching from conservatives to labour. that does not seem _ conservatives to labour. that does not seem to — conservatives to labour. that does not seem to be happening, the conservatives just not seem to be happening, the conservativesjust seem not seem to be happening, the conservatives just seem to be staying — conservatives just seem to be staying at home in by—elections, which _ staying at home in by—elections, which is — staying at home in by—elections, which is understandable when they know _ which is understandable when they know that — which is understandable when they know that rishi sunak was to be prime _ know that rishi sunak was to be prime minister on friday morning. 30 prime minister on friday morning. sc you prime minister on friday morning. you think that prime minister on friday morning. sr you think that in prime minister on friday morning. 5r you think that in a general election situation he may be able to get people to turn out, the party might be able to get people to turn out, is it still winnable, the general election? ~ , ., ., is it still winnable, the general election? ., ., �*, election? when you not comfortable's doors and a — election? when you not comfortable's doors and a by-election _ election? when you not comfortable's doors and a by-election and _ election? when you not comfortable's doors and a by-election and you - election? when you not comfortable's doors and a by-election and you say, | doors and a by—election and you say, can i_ doors and a by—election and you say, can i count _ doors and a by—election and you say, can i count on — doors and a by—election and you say, can i count on your support? only thing — can i count on your support? only thing that— can i count on your support? only thing that politicians say, people say i _ thing that politicians say, people say i am — thing that politicians say, people say i am not voting, you see, come a general— say i am not voting, you see, come a general election, then they say, we do not _ general election, then they say, we do not want — general election, then they say, we do not want keir starmer. i think a general— do not want keir starmer. i think a general election focuses people's mind _ general election focuses people's mind in— general election focuses people's mind in a — general election focuses people's mind in a different way from a by—election. the broadcaster itv confirm ben shephard and cat deeley as the new presenting duo for this morning. shepard and deeley will replace holly willloughby,

who left the programme in last october, and philip schofield, who quit the presenting role injune of 2023. with more on this is our culture reporter noor nanji. what more can you tell us about these two? and of course their predecessors had a very strong chemistry between them, do we have evidence that these two have it as much? i evidence that these two have it as much? , , ., , much? i guess we will find out very soon. as much? i guess we will find out very soon- as you _ much? i guess we will find out very soon- as you say. _ much? i guess we will find out very soon. as you say, this _ much? i guess we will find out very l soon. as you say, this announcement has just soon. as you say, this announcement hasjust come out soon. as you say, this announcement has just come out this morning from itv, confirming the two new main presenters for the show. cat dailly and ben shepherd. they're going to presenting the show next month. we do not have an exact date yet, but we know it will be on monday through to thursday. then alison hammond and dermot 0'leary will present on friday. the show is very popular, it currently attracts around 800,000 viewers per day, but it did go through a period of turmoil last year. that is after it lost two of its flagship presenters, holly

willoughby and phillip schofield. phillip schofield left in may after admitting to lying about an affair with a younger colleague. and holly willoughby left five months later. she said at the time she was making the decision for herself and for her family. cat dailly and ben shepherd are known to viewers, they are among the guests. i have felt and since then. today it has been confirmed they are going to be the official replacements for the jewel. cat dailly described it as a national institution, said it is like having your friends over to watch tv and things like that. ben shepherd said it felt like a very special moment to be part of what he said was the new chapter, the next chapter four this morning. i think that statement is quite profound. itv bosses will be hoping this does draw a line and start a new chapter for what has been quite a troubled period for the show. d0 been quite a troubled period for the show. ., ., .. ., been quite a troubled period for the show. ., ., ., ., show. do we have an indication that the content — show. do we have an indication that the content or— show. do we have an indication that the content or change _ show. do we have an indication that the content or change or _ show. do we have an indication that the content or change or will - show. do we have an indication that the content or change or will the . the content or change or will the general branding remain the same? filtrate general branding remain the same? - do not have a sense of that yet. the

announcement has just come out this morning. i assume they will think this was a formula that was working up this was a formula that was working up until the point when they did go through those troubles last year. they will be hoping to remain around the same line. but it will remain to be seen, they will be starting next month, so if there are any major changes, they will become obvious very quickly. changes, they will become obvious very quickly-— changes, they will become obvious very quickly. a pause now for a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. another very mild day out there, though not quite as mild as it was yesterday whenwe saw 18 degrees. that air which came up from the azores has been swept away eastwards, across much of central and northern europe by the weather fronts which brought rain through the night. shifting wind direction means temperatures have dropped a little bit. we are still in the milder air, the exception being the very far north of scotland. northerly winds here will bring a bit more of a chill to 0rkney, shetland, and parts of caithness and sutherland. overall, though, compared with yesterday, a lot more sunshine around, cloud amounts will vary, producing one or two light showers here and there, but many of you will spend the bulk of the afternoon,

if not all of the afternoon, dry and temperature still well above the 6—8 they should be at this time of year, peaking around 14—15 across some parts of england. into tonight, those temperatures actually take quite a dip across the east of scotland and eastern parts of england, so a much cooler night here, and temperatures lower overall compared with last night. but cloud amounts are steadily increasing from the west, patchy light rain or drizzle, and quite misty over the hills into saturday morning. so, there will be a lot more cloud around again on saturday. the sunshine that you see, touch on the hazy side, but there will be glimpses of it across some eastern and central parts. in the west, though, any early brightness quickly gives way to thicker cloud, outbreaks of rain in northern ireland through the morning, then spreads into western scotland, wales, and western fringes of england as the breeze starts is to strengthen from a southerly direction. that southerly direction, though, key to maintaining the mild theme. temperatures, 9—14 for most of us. many central, eastern areas will spend saturday dry. as we go into saturday night, rain will spill its way across these parts with strengthening winds to take us into sunday. a big question comes over how much of a bubble develops on our weather

front and how long that will linger. at the moment, it does look like it could be a wet start across east anglia, the south—east, there could be a hang back of rain across parts of the midlands, northern england and north wales. there is a chance, though, that could all clear through quicker. if it does, it will be a drier and brighter day overall, but we will still see some sunny spells break through across many northern and western areas and lighter around the english channel, too. the temperature still on the very mild side. a mild start to next week, be prepared there will be some rain at times and some brisk winds, but overall it is a story of things turning cooler, temperatures back to normal by the end of the week. take care.

live from london. this is bbc news. emphatic victories for labour in two parliamentary by—elections, meaning a humiliating double defeat for the conservatives who lose large majorities. this is a stunning victory for the labour party and must send a message from northamptonshire to downing street. to give kingswood its future back starts now. i street. to give kingswood its future back starts now.— back starts now. i am very pleased with both of _ back starts now. i am very pleased with both of those _ back starts now. i am very pleased with both of those results. - back starts now. i am very pleased with both of those results. there l back starts now. i am very pleased| with both of those results. there is

a long _ with both of those results. there is a long way— with both of those results. there is a long way to go. it also shows there isn't a huge amount— it also shows there isn't a huge amount of— it also shows there isn't a huge amount of enthusiasm for the alternative. this is bbc news. we start with the government suffereing a double by—election defeat at the hands of labour. its the latest blow to the conservatives less than a year from a general election that opinion polls suggest they are likely to lose. labour candidates overturned comfortable majorities in kingswood and wellingborough. hailing the results, labour's leader, sir keir starmer, said the british people were ready to put their trust in his party to deliver change.