for wales, the west midlands, line. for wales, the west midlands, through the afternoon, there have not been that many showers. more of you will have enjoyed fine weather. this evening and overnight comedy show is that are falling through the day will gradually subside, with some clearing skies overnight temperatures down to between five and eight, similar to the night. tomorrow in the morning we will see cloud and thundery rain spreading to wales and south—west england back for the rest of the uk, by and large, a dry start with decent morning sunshine to look forward to and through the morning, though shower clouds will grow and by the afternoon, shah becoming widespread, heavy and thundery with hail mixed in, and some downpours possibly northern ireland with heavy showers across wales, the midlands and southern england again. wednesday, more showers, this time the biggest showers will be across eastern scotland and eastern england, where they will be slow—moving in nature so some areas could get large rainfall totals back to the west, the best of the dry weather, wales,

south—west england, probably the brightest, driest spots. not really any showers around on thursday and friday because we have this stinking area of low pressure moving back over the uk seven instead of showers we have more general outbreaks of rain coming ourway, we have more general outbreaks of rain coming our way, thursday and friday, and notjust the rain, it will be windy as well with gale force winds, strong enough to bring down some tree branches, and into the weekend, sunshine and showers back with us, remaining unsettled into next week.— into next week. fiona. sounds absolutely _ into next week. fiona. sounds absolutely dreadful! _ into next week. fiona. sounds absolutely dreadful! i - into next week. fiona. sounds absolutely dreadful! i should l into next week. fiona. sounds- absolutely dreadful! i should thank you but i don't know that i feel like it! a reminder of our top story... most of the uk has lifted restrictions on indoor gatherings but concerns remain about rising cases of the indian covid very. that's all from the bbc news at six —

hello, i'm john watson. coming up on sportsday... fans return. football among the sports to open its gates to fans, as restrictions are eased in england. after iii long months, the turnstiles are worrying again here as rugby fans return to see the newcastle falcons return see the southampton saints. also coming up in the programme...

heartbreakfor heartbreak for chelsea as barcelona lift the champions league. good evening. fans returning to sporting venues up and down the country today. until now, permitted only under the government's pilot schemes, but football, rugby union and rugby league grounds all throwing open their gates to a limited number of spectators for their games today. along with several race meetings as well. so how's it gone? well, we'll hearfrom jockey megan nicholls in a moment, we'll be live at kingston park shortly, where newcastle face northampton in rugby union's premiership. but first let's sample the atmosphere ourselves, this the scene at the vitality stadium on the south coast, where just over

2,000 fans are watching bournemouth take on brentford in the first leg of their championship playoff semifinal. what a game to return for. around ii,500 will will also be watching the other semi between barnsley and swansea at 8.15. large stadiums can admit up to 10,000 spectators, smaller grounds will be capped at 4,000. but with five matches in super league and two in rugby union's premiership tonight, for the first time in well over a year, fans will be swapping a spot on the sofa for a seat in the stands. and that will be a special moment. one of those is at kingston park where newcastle play northampton, katie gornall is there. katie, good evening. we'll come to how the fans are feeling in a moment. butjust give us a sense of what steps are being taken to allow fans back in?

this game was originally scheduled for the weekend and it has been moved today to enable fans to be here at kingston park. a lot of hard work has gone on behind—the—scenes in a short space of time to get this under way. the fans have been given a arrival times, lots of social—distancing measures in place and they are spread out around the stadium here, it's a capacity of 10,000 but there is only 1750 fans at the moment, they have to wear masks inside, temperature checks, and are spread out. that limit i mentioned was set by the local safety advisory group. they will be here tonight watching everything that goes on. if they are happy with the procedures, the hope is that there will be bigger crowds to come here at kingston park. that gentleman _ here at kingston park. that gentleman looked - here at kingston park. that gentleman looked like - here at kingston park. that gentleman looked like she was enjoying his beer behind you. probably a long time coming. give us

a sense as to how this is going to play out now. with matches returning, are people going to feel comfortable to return to the stands? it's a really interesting question. the tickets for this evening were released in a ballot. they did not all go in the first wave. some went on general sale so there is a sense that some fans, although they want to get back to the stadium, are waiting for their second jab before the comeback as part of a crowd. for those who are here, there is a sense of excitement. 0ne those who are here, there is a sense of excitement. one man i spoke to who was an early arrival described it as like christmas eve. they are really excited to be here. 1a months away, when they last saw newcastle at kingston park, the falcons were in the championship. a lot has changed in that time. the fans i spoke to earlierjust said, they told me what they were looking forward to most and how excited they are for the game. i’m forward to most and how excited they are for the game.—

are for the game. i'm going to feel really excited _ are for the game. i'm going to feel really excited to _ are for the game. i'm going to feel really excited to see _ are for the game. i'm going to feel really excited to see the _ are for the game. i'm going to feel really excited to see the players i really excited to see the players again _ really excited to see the players again because of course i've been able to— again because of course i've been able to see — again because of course i've been able to see them on the tv, but not in real_ able to see them on the tv, but not in real life — able to see them on the tv, but not in real life-— in real life. good opportunity to net out in real life. good opportunity to get out again — in real life. good opportunity to get out again and _ in real life. good opportunity to get out again and it's _ in real life. good opportunity to get out again and it's the - in real life. good opportunity to get out again and it's the first l in real life. good opportunity to l get out again and it's the first day that the _ get out again and it's the first day that the restrictions _ get out again and it's the first day that the restrictions have - get out again and it's the first day that the restrictions have been. that the restrictions have been lifted — that the restrictions have been lifted and _ that the restrictions have been lifted and it's _ that the restrictions have been lifted and it's good _ that the restrictions have been lifted and it's good to - that the restrictions have been lifted and it's good to be - lifted and it's good to be sunporting _ lifted and it's good to be supporting the _ lifted and it's good to be supporting the local- lifted and it's good to be . supporting the local sports lifted and it's good to be - supporting the local sports club. it will be supporting the local sports club. will be lovely to be in the crowd again— will be lovely to be in the crowd again instead of seeing empty stadiums and stands so that will be really— stadiums and stands so that will be really nice — stadiums and stands so that will be really nice and i think the excitement will be excellent. looking — excitement will be excellent. looking forward to seeing friends, meeting _ looking forward to seeing friends, meeting them _ looking forward to seeing friends, meeting them here, _ looking forward to seeing friends, meeting them here, and - looking forward to seeing friends, | meeting them here, and obviously looking forward to seeing friends, - meeting them here, and obviously the rugby— meeting them here, and obviously the rugby because — meeting them here, and obviously the rugby because we _ meeting them here, and obviously the rugby because we haven't _ meeting them here, and obviously the rugby because we haven't been - meeting them here, and obviously the rugby because we haven't been for- meeting them here, and obviously the rugby because we haven't been for mi rugby because we haven't been for 14 months _ rugby because we haven't been for 14 months. the— rugby because we haven't been for 14 months. ., , rugby because we haven't been for 14 months. . , . ., ., rugby because we haven't been for 14 months. . , _, ., a months. the fans continue to trickle in. onl months. the fans continue to trickle in- only 1750 — months. the fans continue to trickle in. only 1750 but— months. the fans continue to trickle in. only 1750 but i'm _ months. the fans continue to trickle in. only 1750 but i'm sure _ months. the fans continue to trickle in. only 1750 but i'm sure they - months. the fans continue to trickle in. only 1750 but i'm sure they will i in. only 1750 but i'm sure they will be making a lot of noise when the players come out onto the pitch. kick—off is at 7:30pm. the last time the falcons play, they thumped london irish with their largest points total for 15 years. if we get anything like that level of excitement here tonight, these fans will be going on very happy. i’m will be going on very happy. i'm sure there's _ will be going on very happy. i'm sure there's an _ will be going on very happy. i'm sure there's an expectation to put

on a show. for the moment, many thanks for that. spectators were in place earlier this afternoon at race meetings at carlisle and redcar, with fixtures at leicester and windsor, as well. horse racing is the second biggest spectator sport in britain, with nearly 6 million people attending each year, so to have fans back is hugely exciting, asjockey megan nicholls told me earlier. up up at carlisle, delighted to be here. first day back with limited crowds at the racing, which is obviously awesome. i'm currently hiding away in a room in between my rights. i've had a couple already and i've been able to experience having the crowd back which has obviously been absolutely awesome. any indication how many there have been today? were you told about this? �* , ., been today? were you told about this? �*, . , ., been today? were you told about this? �*, ., ., _, been today? were you told about this? �*, . , ., . ., this? it's a small crowd, about 4000? something _ this? it's a small crowd, about 4000? something like - this? it's a small crowd, about 4000? something like that. | this? it's a small crowd, about 4000? something like that. itj this? it's a small crowd, about - 4000? something like that. it seems really busy, it has been so quiet in recent months. it seems really busy again compare to what we have had to

try to get used to. it is so nice to have that atmosphere back. it's just a complete uplifting mood and it's great to be able to ride, sorry, the jockeys have been called to the next race, it's great to have the crowd back and be feeling slightly more normal again. back and be feeling slightly more normalagain. it’s back and be feeling slightly more normal again-— back and be feeling slightly more normal again. it's interesting from what ou normal again. it's interesting from what you were _ normal again. it's interesting from what you were saying _ normal again. it's interesting from what you were saying with - normal again. it's interesting from what you were saying with some . normal again. it's interesting from - what you were saying with some 4000 watching today, do you get a sense of that? do you feel when there? you can get a sense they are standing there and it's changing things for you competing?— there and it's changing things for oucom-i'letin2ii' , you competing? 10096. the last couple of furlon . s you competing? 10096. the last couple of furlongs when _ you competing? 10096. the last couple of furlongs when you're _ you competing? 10096. the last couple of furlongs when you're coming - you competing? 10096. the last couple of furlongs when you're coming up - you competing? 10096. the last couple of furlongs when you're coming up to l of furlongs when you're coming up to where the stands are and all the spectators are standing and you can hear them screaming and shouting again, like we always used to. it has been strange obviously. we were basically riding in silence and although the stable staff and trainers and people like that were

obviously on course, it about track for so many people to make noise. how crucial will this be for the sport as a whole?— how crucial will this be for the sport as a whole? massive. i believe in britain we — sport as a whole? massive. i believe in britain we are _ sport as a whole? massive. i believe in britain we are the _ sport as a whole? massive. i believe in britain we are the second - sport as a whole? massive. i believe in britain we are the second biggest| in britain we are the second biggest sport for spectators. obviously, thatis sport for spectators. obviously, that is huge and getting people back on track, supporting not only for spectators but it's great all the owners are allowed back. they have been super patient and i imagine very frustrated over the last year not being able to go and see their horses running in the flesh. for the owners and spectators to be back on track is huge and obviously going forward hopefully we can get things back to normal and it will be great to have everyone back on track, whether they are coming to try and have a fun bet for the day, see their horses running, there are so many big factors and for the racehorses as well, i'm sure they will be looking forward to getting various different music nights and

big events back on. also open are indoor venues too. adrenaline alley in corby in northamptonshire is europe's biggest indoor skate park, open for the first time since christmas, and through the doors there today was the bbc�*s tom burridge. welcome, to europe is not biggest indoor skate park which is busy tonight for the first time since christmas. hugely disrupting 12 months. this is the brains behind it, how much of a relief is to see your place open again? just it, how much of a relief is to see your place open again?— it, how much of a relief is to see your place open again? just to feel the ener: your place open again? just to feel the energy and _ your place open again? just to feel the energy and have _ your place open again? just to feel the energy and have the _ your place open again? just to feel i the energy and have the participants backin the energy and have the participants back in here doing the sports that they love, it feels fantastic. it's a very lonely place when it's empty. so it is great to have them back. this is a huge place. six acres. you still get a few bumps on the road as

thomas is demonstrating. how disruptive... financially not to have people here must be huge? it is. we are an operation sustainable skate park so having no revenue coming in for nine months of the year has been devastating for us. we had good reserves but obviously over the nine months, you have seen them reducing before reducing before our very eyes. having taken 20 years to get the reserves to what they are, seeing them deplete every month has been heartbreaking actually. "435361? been heartbreaking actually. lovely to talk to you- _ been heartbreaking actually. lovely to talk to you. we _ been heartbreaking actually. lovely to talk to you. we will _ been heartbreaking actually. lovely to talk to you. we will speak- been heartbreaking actually. lovely to talk to you. we will speak to - to talk to you. we will speak to harry because this is for bmx, skateboarders, scooters, tell us about your journey back you because you have not had the luxury of doing this for a year? trio. you have not had the luxury of doing this for a year?— this for a year? no, so... for most of us writers. _ this for a year? no, so... for most of us writers, bmx, _ this for a year? no, so... for most of us writers, bmx, for _ this for a year? no, so... for most of us writers, bmx, for me - of us writers, bmx, for me personally is notjust of us writers, bmx, for me personally is not just a of us writers, bmx, for me personally is notjust a hobby, it's part of— personally is notjust a hobby, it's part of my— personally is notjust a hobby, it's part of my life. it's a lifestyle sport — part of my life. it's a lifestyle sport do _ part of my life. it's a lifestyle sport. do not be able to partake in these _ sport. do not be able to partake in these sports hasjust been terrible. it's been _ these sports hasjust been terrible. it's been an— these sports hasjust been terrible. it's been an absolute nightmare and to finally—

it's been an absolute nightmare and to finally be back in a facility like this— to finally be back in a facility like this and... i am over the moon, it'san_ like this and... i am over the moon, it's an understatement. like this and. .. i am over the moon, it's an understatement.— it's an understatement. what have ou been it's an understatement. what have you been doing — it's an understatement. what have you been doing with _ it's an understatement. what have you been doing with yourself- it's an understatement. what have you been doing with yourself for. it's an understatement. what have you been doing with yourself for 12 months? ., .., you been doing with yourself for 12 months? ., , ., ., ~ ., months? you can try and work out as much as you — months? you can try and work out as much as you can _ months? you can try and work out as much as you can at _ months? you can try and work out as much as you can at home _ months? you can try and work out as much as you can at home but - months? you can try and work out as| much as you can at home but nothing matches— much as you can at home but nothing matches up— much as you can at home but nothing matches up to what we're doing here, does it? _ matches up to what we're doing here, does it? ., ~ matches up to what we're doing here, does it? ., ,, , ., ., matches up to what we're doing here, does it? ., ,, i. ., , , ., ,, ., does it? thank you for speaking to us. places like _ does it? thank you for speaking to us. places like this _ does it? thank you for speaking to us. places like this will _ does it? thank you for speaking to us. places like this will be - does it? thank you for speaking to us. places like this will be buzzing| us. places like this will be buzzing for the next few weeks. james getting a sense of the excitement amongst those returning to the sports they love. you're watching sportsday on bbc news. a quick look now at some of the day's other stories. england's summer series against india and pakistan will go ahead, despite both countries on the uk's covid red list for travel. the players have been given permission to quarantine at hotel at southampton's ageas bowl. new zealand are already there, after arriving yesterday. with the olympic games fast approaching, rio gold medallist adam peaty looked in fine form as he won the 100m breaststroke semifinal at the european swimming championships in budapest.

three—time world champion peter sagan won the 10th stage of the giro d'italia in foligno. colombia's egan bernal retained the leader's pinkjersey, finishing alongside his main rivals including british riders hugh carthy and simon yates. now, all this week on bbc sport, we're looking at the potential impact of climate change on events around the world, specifically, how things could look in three decades from now. welcome to sports day 2050. these are your headlines this evening. there is football fixture chaos as torrential rain hits part of england, grounds are flooded and most of the games in the north—west are postponed. there are calls for governments to help smaller clubs pay for the clean—up. we have had breaking cricket news. let'sjoin adam for the latest. i breaking cricket news. let's 'oin adam for the latesti breaking cricket news. let's 'oin adam for the latest. i can tell you in the last— adam for the latest. i can tell you in the last few _ adam for the latest. i can tell you in the last few moments, - adam for the latest. i can tell you

in the last few moments, players| in the last few moments, players have once again left the field, the second time in as many days, play has had to be abandoned after temperatures rose above those safe levels. fears the rest of the test series may have to be abandoned, talk that the whole series may have to be rescheduled, for the autumn when temperatures are just a little cooler. the australian open will be moved indoors due to a huge increase in the number of unplayable days over the last 30 years. the effect of wildfire smoke. there is also going to be no more skiing, the setting for the first winter olympics in lincoln 24, becomes the latest horse to announce that it can no longer stage winter sports with shorter winters and more days above freezing. good news, the fifth oldest golf course in the world has been saved from the sea. montrose will get millions of pounds to build a sand bar offshore. it's part of initiative to save links golf in