tomorrow. wetter weather in the morning and it could be heavy for awhile. it might ease off and cloud break up a little bit allowing some sunshine. it could trigger thundery downpours in scotland but this is bbc news, i'm olly foster live at wembley, ahead of tonight's european championship final. for england's men, this has been a long time coming, the match against italy, their first major final for more than half a century. we need this, after the time we have had, we need some of this, excitement, we need to be behind our country. five hours before kick—off, thousands are already gathering on wembley way in support of gareth southgates team — and he has this message for them: we will be doing everything we can, your support and energy has given us a huge lift and it will on sunday.

football's coming home, it was like coming _ football's coming home, it was like coming home... every england fan will be hoping the football's coming home after years of hurt, is tonight the night? i think we can officially say... oh, can we? _ i think we can officially say... oh, can we? ,, ., ., can we? shall we say it together. it's coming _ can we? shall we say it together. it's coming home! _ can we? shall we say it together. it's coming home! 0h, _ can we? shall we say it together. it's coming home! 0h, we've - can we? shall we say it together. i it's coming home! 0h, we've said can we? shall we say it together. l it's coming home! 0h, we've said it now! there's excitement too in italy, they are unbeaten in three years and are confident that they can beat england tonight. i'm lukwesa burak with our other main stories. the uk's vaccine minister says the government is confident that plans to lift a range of covid restrictions will go ahead onjuly 19 in england. but he also said masks are still

expected to be worn indoors. the fortification of the vaccination programme has allowed us to cautiously move to step four, and the prime minister will say more about this. and at wimbledon, it's the men's singles final. novak djokovic aiming to win his sixth wimbledon title — he's leading in the first set against italian matteo berrettini. sir richard branson prepares to venture to the edge of space, on the first passenger flight of his virgin galactic spaceship.

good afternoon. how are the nerves? five hours and counting before kick—off in the european championship final at wembley, but it doesn't feel like that at all because thousands of england fans are already here on wembley way, since early this morning. the flares, firecrackers have been going off, they are looking to make the most of every single minute of this day, it has been a long time coming. 55 years after sir alf ramsey's side won the world cup, england, so often the nearly men are now in another major final... and the match against the four—time world cup winners italy, could be the most—watched television event in the uk in broadcasting history. here's our sports correspondent, natalie pirks. come on, england! it is football's christmas eve.

some fans are already at wembley, like kids impatient to unwrap their biggest present, but who can blame them? 55 years is a long time to wait. we need it this year, after the time we've had, we need some of this, we need excitement, to be behind our country. southgate hasjust managed to find something that has brought togetherness, and theyjust seem as if they can do it this time. 55 years, not in my lifetime have i ever seen anything like this. . this was our moment to represent our time. the near misses and the tournaments that haven't gone so well weren't so important for this team. over the last four years, they've knocked down so many barriers, so their resilience and experiences as a team have really prepared them well for this moment. this team has taken the public along for the ride. when they left their base in staffordshire yesterday, and when they arrived in london, the players were reminded just what this means to the nation. but let's not forget about italy —

a team unbeaten in three years. they were pushed very close in their semifinal by spain but went through on penalties. england have never beaten them in a major tournament. the players have been a picture of calm, holed inside their team hotel this morning. i wouldn't be surprised if many of them will be off social media. they will be limiting their phones and staying away from that so they don't get too hyped up about the whole situation. it's that balance of being focused, but also being relaxed. fans hope the team can keep their head while all around them are losing theirs. there really is no other story in town today, and the players have had messages from the queen, the prime minister, a facetime call from tom cruise and the duke of cambridge. i can't really believe this is happening. so exciting. just wish you the very best of luck. you bring out the very best of england, and the whole country is behind you, so bring it home.

# sweet caroline...#. when the final whistle blows at wembley tonight, the waiting could be over. for too long, history has weighed them down. the golden generation's expected to emulate what sir ralph ramsay did in 1966. this class of 2021 under gareth southgate has never been it is their best chance yet. we had in the reports that they are sure that the england players will be say social media, but have been embedded with the team for last weeks, they say that their interaction with fans on social media is how they feel connected with how their victories have john —— connected with how their victories havejohn —— drawn the nation along with them, and they appreciate all that support and through the england social media channels today,... gareth southgate has issued a message to supporters via the official england twitter account. hi there. i just want to take the time to say thank you for the incredible support

from everybody that we received throughout this tournament. we hope that we have represented you in the right way, we hope you have enjoyed watching us play, i'm very grateful to all of the players and the incredible staff i've got with me, that we have been able to get to our first finalfor 55 years. of course, we know now that we've got to deliver for you, so we will be doing everything we can, your support and energy has given us a huge lift and it will on sunday. so measured and calm all the time, gareth southgate, hisjob has been about keeping the players�* feet on the ground, refocusing, getting ready to go again, it has sun been that age old mantra of managers of just one match at a time, but this match... the enormity of it for this group of england players, let�*s head pitch side now where we�*ll get the action under way.

john watson is pitchside inside the stadium here at wembley. i hope the gates are due to open up five, i hope you�*ll brace yourself, because it is bonkers out here on wembley way!— because it is bonkers out here on wembley way! probably inevitable when ou wembley way! probably inevitable when you consider— wembley way! probably inevitable when you consider the _ wembley way! probably inevitable when you consider the ground - wembley way! probably inevitable | when you consider the ground staff have onlyjust been putting the finishing touches to the rows behind me, those lines were onlyjust relayed an hour ago, though is not a blade of grass that has not been alone in the last few days, the pitch is looking absolutely immaculate, as when the this final once again, just as it did back in euro 96 when germany built the czech republic, seeing that day, and the new cast your mind back to that 1966 world cup final, stayed here at the old wembley stadium when the queen presented the trophy to sir bobby moore, and you just wonder will hurricane be climbing the steps off to the right hand side to collect the steps tonight? the fans will be around around at five o�*clock, the

place will arrive around an hour before the pitch side, they will have around a0 minutes to walk around themselves on the pitch, familiarise themselves with the surroundings again and before that closing ceremony begins at around 7:a5pm. we will see the red arrows fly overhead as well before we edge closer to kick—off, around 67,000 fans will be inside here later, and it will be a sell—out, around 6000 of those will be italian fans, many, many more, 58,000 england fans will create a very memorable atmosphere and one you just wonder, will that get england over the line in what is expected to be such a tough contest to come against italy? as we know, they have won this title before, backin they have won this title before, back in 1968, very tough to try and pick a winner between these two sides, i think. pick a winner between these two sides, ithink. a, pick a winner between these two sides, ithink.— sides, i think. a lot of pundits have been _

sides, i think. a lot of pundits have been saying _ sides, i think. a lot of pundits have been saying it _ sides, i think. a lot of pundits have been saying it is - sides, i think. a lot of pundits have been saying it is 50-50, | sides, i think. a lot of pundits . have been saying it is 50-50, but have been saying it is 50—50, but john watson there with the best seats in the house, and so we hope to get in there to join you, but we will be with you for the rest of the afternoon, john, especially when the gates open and the fans will be allowed to pour in, but the atmosphere at the moment is down there on that wembley way. since since england made it to the final, after that wednesday win against the danes in their semifinal, so millions of sunday plans have been rearranged, but some things just cannot be changed. in the past couple of hours, ryan and bethan mcsweeney have got married, and i�*m delighetd to say they can join us from rochdale. congratulations first to both! thank ou. how congratulations first to both! thank yom how was _ congratulations first to both! thank you. how was the _ congratulations first to both! thank you. how was the ceremony? - you. how was the ceremony? everything — you. how was the ceremony? everything went _ you. how was the ceremony? everything went to _ you. how was the ceremony? everything went to plan, - you. how was the ceremony? | everything went to plan, social distancing in place, we managed to get all of ourfriends distancing in place, we managed to

get all of our friends and family, so we have loved every minute of it so we have loved every minute of it so far. it so we have loved every minute of it so far. . , , , . so far. it has been perfect. fantastic. _ so far. it has been perfect. fantastic. i— so far. it has been perfect. fantastic. i know— so far. it has been perfect. fantastic. i know lots - so far. it has been perfect. fantastic. i know lots of i so far. it has been perfect. - fantastic. i know lots of people are due to get married of the next —— fat last 15 months to chop and change their plans, you have had to do the same, butjuly the 11th? yes. do the same, but july the 11th? yes, we know how _ do the same, but july the 11th? yes, we know how to _ do the same, but july the 11th? yes, we know how to pick _ do the same, but july the 11th? yes, we know how to pick a _ do the same, butjuly the 11th? yes, we know how to pick a date! it was only a _ we know how to pick a date! it was only a few — we know how to pick a date! it was only a few weeks ago that we realise that the _ only a few weeks ago that we realise that the final would fall on the wedding day, we kind ofjust mutually looked at each other and said, _ mutually looked at each other and said. do— mutually looked at each other and said, do you think we will really -et said, do you think we will really get to— said, do you think we will really get to the — said, do you think we will really get to the final? and lo and behold, we have! _ get to the final? and lo and behold, we have! yeah, what a day to pick to celebrate _ we have! yeah, what a day to pick to celebrate england coming to the final! _ celebrate england coming to the final! ~ , , celebrate england coming to the final! ~ , ., final! who's the big football fan between the — final! who's the big football fan between the two _ final! who's the big football fan between the two of _ final! who's the big football fan between the two of you? - final! who's the big football fan between the two of you? that l final! who's the big football fan - between the two of you? that would between the two of you? that would be me! 0k, — between the two of you? that would be me! 0k. ryan. — between the two of you? that would be me! 0k, ryan, there _ between the two of you? that would be me! 0k, ryan, there is— between the two of you? that would be me! 0k, ryan, there is a - between the two of you? that would be me! 0k, ryan, there is a risk, i be me! 0k, ryan, there is a risk, here, be me! 0k, ryan, there is a risk, here. because — be me! 0k, ryan, there is a risk, here, because you _ be me! 0k, ryan, there is a risk, here, because you are _ be me! 0k, ryan, there is a risk, here, because you are very -- . be me! 0k, ryan, there is a risk, i here, because you are very -- your here, because you are very —— your very special day, you know, it is a gamble this! it

very special day, you know, it is a gamble this!— gamble this! it is, things could go either way. _ gamble this! it is, things could go either way. we — gamble this! it is, things could go either way, we spoke _ gamble this! it is, things could go either way, we spoke about - gamble this! it is, things could go either way, we spoke about this, | gamble this! it is, things could go i either way, we spoke about this, we could be in tears ofjoy or tears of sadness by the end of the day, but we have obviously —— we offer not going to let the result affects our special day, of course it would just make everything amazing if gareth southgate and the boys brought the trophy home, but either way, this is our day at the end of it as well, so we are going to enjoy every minute of it. 50 we are going to en'oy every minute of it, ,., we are going to en'oy every minute of it, y., ., , we are going to en'oy every minute of it. i. ., , ., ., of it. so you are 'ust going to embrace h of it. so you are 'ust going to embrace it. _ of it. so you are just going to embrace it, beth _ of it. so you are just going to embrace it, beth and? - of it. so you are just going to embrace it, beth and? yes, | of it. so you are just going to embrace it, beth and? yes, i of it. so you are just going to - embrace it, beth and? yes, i think that is all i — embrace it, beth and? yes, i think that is all i can _ embrace it, beth and? yes, i think that is all i can do _ embrace it, beth and? yes, i think that is all i can do at _ embrace it, beth and? yes, i think that is all i can do at the _ embrace it, beth and? yes, i think that is all i can do at the moment! | that is all i can do at the moment! don't _ that is all i can do at the moment! don't get — that is all i can do at the moment! don't get me wrong, i'm really excited, — don't get me wrong, i'm really excited, we have had lots of cars coming _ excited, we have had lots of cars coming past us in the wedding dress, shouting. _ coming past us in the wedding dress, shouting. a's— coming past us in the wedding dress, shouting, a's coming home! they have been really— shouting, a's coming home! they have been really nice, but i am going to embrace _ been really nice, but i am going to embrace it — been really nice, but i am going to embrace it. hopefully we can bring it home _ embrace it. hopefully we can bring it home today, butjust embracing it! it home today, but 'ust embracing it! ., ., i: ., ,, it! you have 50 or so guests there, so honefully _ it! you have 50 or so guests there, so honefully they _ it! you have 50 or so guests there, so hopefully they are _ it! you have 50 or so guests there, so hopefully they are football - it! you have 50 or so guests there, so hopefully they are football fans! 0ne so hopefully they are football fans! one of the plans? you to get the speech is out of the way, the

champagne flowing, and get around the big screen in your reception? absolutely. the next hurdle is the speeches, the wedding breakfast and then just in front of me, which you can�*t see, is a nice big projector with england written all over it, once again commences! —— once the game commences. once again commences! -- once the game commences-— once again commences! -- once the game commences. bethan, a fantastic tame, game commences. bethan, a fantastic game. many — game commences. bethan, a fantastic game, many congratulations, - game commences. bethan, a fantastic game, many congratulations, and - game commences. bethan, a fantastic game, many congratulations, and a i game, many congratulations, and a big day as well, you are expecting parents, i believe! is another gender revealed the cake? yes, the weddin: , gender revealed the cake? yes, the wedding. the _ gender revealed the cake? yes, the wedding, the heroes, _ gender revealed the cake? yes, the wedding, the heroes, but _ gender revealed the cake? yes, the wedding, the heroes, but then i gender revealed the cake? yes, the wedding, the heroes, but then we l wedding, the heroes, but then we have _ wedding, the heroes, but then we have also— wedding, the heroes, but then we have also put the gender colour into the cake. _ have also put the gender colour into the cake. so— have also put the gender colour into the cake, so to find if we having a baby— the cake, so to find if we having a baby boy — the cake, so to find if we having a baby boy or— the cake, so to find if we having a baby boy or a baby girl in december. we are— baby boy or a baby girl in december. we are very— baby boy or a baby girl in december. we are very excited. this baby boy or a baby girl in december. we are very excited.— baby boy or a baby girl in december. we are very excited. this has got me thinkin: we are very excited. this has got me thinking because _ we are very excited. this has got me thinking because if _ we are very excited. this has got me thinking because if it _ we are very excited. this has got me thinking because if it is _ we are very excited. this has got me thinking because if it is a _ we are very excited. this has got me thinking because if it is a boy - we are very excited. this has got me thinking because if it is a boy it i thinking because if it is a boy it is going to be harry, isn�*t it? or maybe one of the team! who is it going to be? i

maybe one of the team! who is it going to be?— maybe one of the team! who is it going to be? i think we have got to to with going to be? i think we have got to go with mainline _ going to be? i think we have got to go with mainline garrison - going to be? i think we have got to go with mainline garrison at - going to be? i think we have got to go with mainline garrison at this i go with mainline garrison at this point! is going to be gareth southgate mcsweeney! mar; point! is going to be gareth southgate mcsweeney! point! is going to be gareth southrate mcsweene ! , . southgate mcsweeney! may be a middle name! ithink southgate mcsweeney! may be a middle name! i think there _ southgate mcsweeney! may be a middle name! i think there is _ southgate mcsweeney! may be a middle name! i think there is a _ southgate mcsweeney! may be a middle name! i think there is a bit _ southgate mcsweeney! may be a middle name! i think there is a bit of— name! i think there is a bit of compromising _ name! i think there is a bit of compromising to _ name! i think there is a bit of compromising to be - name! i think there is a bit of compromising to be done i name! i think there is a bit of. compromising to be done here. name! i think there is a bit of- compromising to be done here. if it is ago, we could be in trouble, i was looking at some of the surnames, what about shaw or cody because make cody�*s a good name. all kane? cane might work for a girl. brute cody's a good name. all kane? cane might work for a girl.— might work for a girl. we might be able to make _ might work for a girl. we might be able to make it _ might work for a girl. we might be able to make it work, _ might work for a girl. we might be able to make it work, that - might work for a girl. we might be able to make it work, that is i might work for a girl. we might be able to make it work, that is a i might work for a girl. we might be able to make it work, that is a lot| able to make it work, that is a lot of compromise! will at the wedding is a big _ of compromise! will at the wedding is a big compromise! —— football at the wedding. and is a big compromise! -- football at the wedding-— is a big compromise! -- football at the wedding. and before you go off and en'o the wedding. and before you go off and enjoy your _ the wedding. and before you go off and enjoy your big _ the wedding. and before you go off and enjoy your big day _ the wedding. and before you go off and enjoy your big day of— the wedding. and before you go off and enjoy your big day of biting i and enjoy your big day of biting yourfingernails of dash and enjoy your big day of biting your fingernails of dash off in front of the winning guests on your big day as well, what is the first dance going to be? is it going to be three lines, sweet caroline could make heavy that as well? i must've

heard every — make heavy that as well? i must've heard every football _ make heavy that as well? i must've heard every football song _ make heavy that as well? i must've heard every football song going i make heavy that as well? i must've | heard every football song going over the last of weeks, all of my mates have asked what our first dance will be? ! as much as i would love it to be? ! as much as i would love it to be and as much as we would love to support everyone, it is not going to be a football song! i don�*t think i would be allowed that one! i be a football song! i don't think i would be allowed that one! i think i would be allowed that one! i think i would have — would be allowed that one! i think i would have a _ would be allowed that one! i think i would have a little _ would be allowed that one! i think i would have a little word _ would be allowed that one! i think i would have a little word with i would be allowed that one! i think i would have a little word with him! i would have a little word with him! we will _ would have a little word with him! we will all — would have a little word with him! we will all keep an eye out for that wedding video because all can —— everything can happen for the next few hours! enjoy the rest of your days, lives, good luck becoming parents, many, many thanks for joining us. ryan and bethan mcsweeney!— joining us. ryan and bethan - mcsweeney!_ marvellous. mcsweeney! thank you! marvellous. goodb e. mcsweeney! thank you! marvellous. goodbye- many— mcsweeney! thank you! marvellous. goodbye. many thanks _ mcsweeney! thank you! marvellous. goodbye. many thanks indeed. i for the last 25 years, there�*s one song that has come to represent the passion of england fans and their love for the sport and their team — three lions — it was the soundtrack for euro 96, its creators david baddiel,

frank skinner and the lightning seeds, if you remember them! they have been perfoming the song today in central london. lets take a listen. it's coming home! football's coming home! _ # everyone seems to know the score they�*ve seen it all before # theyjust know they�*re so sure # that england�*s gonna throw it away, gonna blow it away # but i know they can play cos i remember # three lions on a shirt jules rimet still gleaming # 30 years of hurt never stopped me dreaming # 55 years of hurt never stopped me dreaming i see what they did there! changing it from 30 years to 55!

0ur correspondent charlotte wright was there and she�*s been speaking to frank skinner and david baddiel ahead of this historic england game. the nation is fizzing with football fever and i think this might bejust the second hottest ticket in town at the second hottest ticket in town at the moment. baddiel and skinner performing with the lightning seeds ahead of that final tonight. we are joined by them both. their parents! that is what — joined by them both. their parents! that is what everyone _ joined by them both. their parents! that is what everyone is _ joined by them both. their parents! that is what everyone is thinking. i that is what everyone is thinking. we have — that is what everyone is thinking. we have just seen the video recently _ we have 'ust seen the video recentl . �* , we have 'ust seen the video recently.— we have 'ust seen the video recentl. , , , recently. don't be silly, you look treat! recently. don't be silly, you look great! useful— recently. don't be silly, you look great! useful as _ recently. don't be silly, you look great! useful as ever. _ recently. don't be silly, you look great! useful as ever. thank i recently. don't be silly, you look great! useful as ever. thank you recently. don't be silly, you look. great! useful as ever. thank you so much. great! useful as ever. thank you so much- -- — great! useful as ever. thank you so much. -- useful— great! useful as ever. thank you so much. -- useful as— great! useful as ever. thank you so much. -- useful as ever. _ great! useful as ever. thank you so much. -- useful as ever. how- great! useful as ever. thank you so much. -- useful as ever. how are l great! useful as ever. thank you so i much. -- useful as ever. how are you feelin: ? much. -- useful as ever. how are you feeling? and — much. -- useful as ever. how are you feeling? and cited _ much. -- useful as ever. how are you feeling? and cited about _ much. -- useful as ever. how are you feeling? and cited about this - much. -- useful as ever. how are you feeling? and cited about this cake, i feeling? and cited about this cake, obviousl , feeling? and cited about this cake, obviously. but _ feeling? and cited about this cake, obviously, but more _ feeling? and cited about this cake, obviously, but more excited - feeling? and cited about this cake, obviously, but more excited about| obviously, but more excited about the final. ~ ., obviously, but more excited about the final. a, .., obviously, but more excited about the final. a, _, ., the final. more confident that encland the final. more confident that england will _ the final. more confident that england will win _ the final. more confident that england will win tonight. i the final. more confident that i england will win tonight. you're performing _ england will win tonight. you're performing here _ england will win tonight. you're performing here at _ england will win tonight. you're performing here at the - england will win tonight. you're performing here at the club i england will win tonight. you're i performing here at the club tonight, not pawing at wembley! ida.

not pawing at wembley! no, unfortunately _ not pawing at wembley! no, unfortunately not. _ not pawing at wembley! no, unfortunately not. uni i not pawing at wembley! no, unfortunately not. uni -- i not pawing at wembley! no, i unfortunately not. uni -- uefa not pawing at wembley! no, - unfortunately not. uni -- uefa were around to us. _ unfortunately not. uni -- uefa were around to us, but _ unfortunately not. uni -- uefa were around to us, but they _ unfortunately not. uni -- uefa were around to us, but they thought i unfortunately not. uni -- uefa were around to us, but they thought it i around to us, but they thought it was a _ around to us, but they thought it was a bit — around to us, but they thought it was a bit and just on italy that if we sing — was a bit and just on italy that if we sing the english anthem on the pitch. _ we sing the english anthem on the pitch. my— we sing the english anthem on the pitch, my manager did point out that andrew— pitch, my manager did point out that andrew pacelli sang nesson dormer at the opening game, which was not very unfair— the opening game, which was not very unfair -- _ the opening game, which was not very unfair -- not— the opening game, which was not very unfair —— not very fair on the tax. that— unfair —— not very fair on the tax. that is— unfair —— not very fair on the tax. that is quite _ unfair —— not very fair on the tax. that is quite a _ unfair —— not very fair on the tax. that is quite a tragic song! but just a tiny bit! it that is quite a tragic song! but just a tiny bit!— just a tiny bit! it is quite self-aware, _ just a tiny bit! it is quite self-aware, isn't - just a tiny bit! it is quite self-aware, isn't it. it. just a tiny bit! it is quite self-aware, isn't it. it is just a tiny bit! it is quite i self-aware, isn't it. it is about how england _ self-aware, isn't it. it is about how england may _ self-aware, isn't it. it is about how england may lose - self-aware, isn't it. it is about how england may lose in i self-aware, isn't it. it is about how england may lose in our l how england may lose in our experience. always a tiny —— tiny hope that they might win after all. when you write a 25 years ago, did you think that you are still going to be waiting for it to come home after all this time? i to be waiting for it to come home after all this time?— after all this time? i thought you were going _ after all this time? i thought you were going to — after all this time? i thought you were going to say _ after all this time? i thought you were going to say that _ after all this time? i thought you were going to say that we - after all this time? i thought you were going to say that we would | after all this time? i thought you i were going to say that we would be here in this room, 25 years ago! ifla. here in this room, 25 years ago! no, because we — here in this room, 25 years ago! no, because we thought we were going to

win a 96. _ because we thought we were going to win a 96, when we were pretty confident. _ win a 96, when we were pretty confident, we think we are going to win every— confident, we think we are going to win every tournament and of course even _ win every tournament and of course even though that was the point of this point— even though that was the point of this point of the song, i suppose, i suppose _ this point of the song, i suppose, i suppose we — this point of the song, i suppose, i suppose we should have learned that was the _ suppose we should have learned that was the case! but now we are in the final. _ was the case! but now we are in the final. it _ was the case! but now we are in the final. it is _ was the case! but now we are in the final, it is close, isn't it?— final, it is close, isn't it? very, very close- _ final, it is close, isn't it? very, very close. what _ final, it is close, isn't it? very, very close. what will _ final, it is close, isn't it? very, very close. what will you i final, it is close, isn't it? very, very close. what will you do i final, it is close, isn't it? very, very close. what will you do if| final, it is close, isn't it? very, | very close. what will you do if it does come home! are you going to rewrite the lyrics and rerelease it? will going to bring that thing called — will going to bring that thing called football's coming home, again. — called football's coming home, again, open back its around that! for the _ again, open back its around that! for the next one. but the's here, for the next one. but the�*s here, we�*re going to call it, at last. i don�*t think that the football fans, it is not that this notion if you win something, that is it, football fans are replete. they never feel disappointed ever again, but if you go to football, you will notice that thatis go to football, you will notice that that is not the case. they are very quickly, they forget the past, why haven�*t we won, we are disappointed. i don�*t know that we will immediately raise that disappointment. —— erase.

immediately raise that disappointment. -- erase. immediately raise that disa ointment. -- erase. ., disappointment. -- erase. one of the first thing to — disappointment. -- erase. one of the first thing to do _ disappointment. -- erase. one of the first thing to do will _ disappointment. -- erase. one of the first thing to do will be _ disappointment. -- erase. one of the first thing to do will be to _ disappointment. -- erase. one of the first thing to do will be to embrace i first thing to do will be to embrace this match — first thing to do will be to embrace this match because we have been waiting _ this match because we have been waiting for— this match because we have been waiting for a long, long time. along with everyone else. i'm going to embrace — with everyone else. i'm going to embrace it, like the other girls, back— embrace it, like the other girls, back to — embrace it, like the other girls, back to back!— embrace it, like the other girls, back to back!_ it i embrace it, like the other girls, j back to back!_ it is back to back! there is safe! it is free, back to back! there is safe! it is free. though! — back to back! there is safe! it is free, though! and _ back to back! there is safe! it is free, though! and the _ back to back! there is safe! it is free, though! and the prettiest| back to back! there is safe! it is i free, though! and the prettiest one. so, the free, though! and the prettiest one. so. the final— free, though! and the prettiest one. so, the final question, _ free, though! and the prettiest one. so, the final question, is _ free, though! and the prettiest one. so, the final question, is it - free, though! and the prettiest one. so, the final question, is it coming l so, the final question, is it coming home tonight? i so, the final question, is it coming home tonight?— home tonight? i think we can officially say... _ home tonight? i think we can officially say... is _ home tonight? i think we can officially say... is reset i home tonight? i think we can - officially say... is reset together? it's coming — officially say... is reset together? it's coming home. officially say. .. is reset together? it's coming home.— officially say... is reset together? it's coming home. 0h, we's -- we've said it nova — it's coming home. 0h, we's -- we've said it now. baddiel— it's coming home. 0h, we's -- we've said it now. baddiel and _ it's coming home. 0h, we's -- we've said it now. baddiel and skinner - said it now. baddiel and skinner there with _ said it now. baddiel and skinner there with the _ said it now. baddiel and skinner there with the lightning - said it now. baddiel and skinner there with the lightning seeds. | said it now. baddiel and skinner| there with the lightning seeds. i think it is coming home. they are lining up the drive. they are having an enormous party on

wembley way, it is coming home, they are knocking on the door, but of course, that match against italy will be telling because perhaps the dream final we have got here between the two form sides, england in their first majorfinalfor 55 the two form sides, england in their first major final for 55 years, they are going to be back in the next hour, but for now, let's head back to the studio with aggressor. —— lukwesa. other news now. the government says people will still be "expected" to wear masks in many indoor spaces and on public transport after covid restrictions in england are lifted. the prime minister is due to confirm tomorrow, whether most of england's lockdown rules will end on the 19th ofjuly, including the legal requirement to wear masks. the vaccines minister, nadhim zahawi, says the government wants to stress the need for "both a personal responsibility and a corporate responsibility" as restrictions are eased. here's our health

correspondent, jim reed. it is one of the most visible signs of the pandemic. injust over a week, the legal requirement to wear a mask in england is set to end. speaking this morning, the vaccines minister said there would still be an expectation to mask up in some indoor spaces. the guidelines will be very clear on things like mask wearing. there is an expectation for people to wear masks indoors, in crowded places, on public transport. rather than government by diktat, we say that we moved a step forward cautiously. in wales, scotland and northern ireland, the legal need to wear a mask in some indoor venues will remain for the moment. in england, laboursaid making the requirement voluntary in eight days would be a mistake. we think more could be done to make sure that public spaces are properly ventilated, and as we have said all the way through this crisis, people who need to go home

to self—isolate need, if they are on low incomes, to be financially supported to do that. it comes as infections continue to rise across much of the country. more people are mixing, and there are signs that football has led to a spike in cases among young men. in scotland, that trend is starting to reverse. ministers have said the number of daily infections across the uk could hit 100,000 by august. vaccines will keep the vast majority out of hospital, but some are warning there could still be real disruption to nhs services. they would be younger. less severe, shorter stays. the actual numbers in hospital would still be well below the second wave peak, even if we did hit that 100,000 a day, but of course, it's very disruptive, having covid cases, and there would of course be a lot of bad outcomes. i guess the judgment is that it's better we do it now than in the winter. at a news conference tomorrow,

borisjohnson will confirm plans to lift most remaining restrictions in england. it's clear now that the message will be one of caution rather than celebration, as ministers and scientists try to navigate out of this pandemic. jim reed, bbc news. face coverings will still be mandatory in wales in certain circumstances, even after covid restrictions are relaxed. welsh ministers will decide this week whether to lower the alert level to zero. but they say masks will still be required bylaw on public transport and in health and social care settings for as long as covid remains a threat. it is not only wembley where the sporting action is taking place... there is also sport at wimbledon.

earlier, britain's gordon reid narrowly missed out on a second men's wheelchair singles title, losing to belgium'sjoachim gerard. the men's singles final is now underway on centre court. i will hand straight over to our correspondent who is there for us, so how are the two men are doing? well when i was last with you, lukwesa, it looked like djokovic was doing what he normally does and not necessarily playing his best tennis, but still getting the job done, he was 3—1 up in the first set, 5—2 up in the first set, sorry, a set point in the first set, sorry, a set point in the first set, sorry, a set point in the first set, against matteo berrettini, playing in his first wimbledon final, his first grand slam but i can take that very teeny has fought back brilliantly and won the first set against novak djokovic on a tie—break from games to six, and if you was to have any chance that there was a feeling that he had to make a fast start, he did not, but he did still manage to battle

through that first set, his colossal serve, but he has got a wonderful game, a powerhouse, and in the end, it was enough to get past djokovic in set one. we don't get too carried away because we know when djokovic is only one set down, we enough to ask others, they were to set up and djokovic fought back, no one is to then getting himself out of a hole than novak. what a start this is for very teeny, this is unprecedented territory for him, and if we think of dennis shep of olive, he played really well against djokovic, he could not get a set, but at least very teeny has done that but for long can he keep playing this? he has set up as the world number one for the favourite. for the moment. sir richard branson is preparing to fly to the edge of space. the businessman and his virgin galactic crew will take off from new mexico — it was originally scheduled for 2pm but is now due to set off

in a few minuites time and our north america correspondent sophie long is in new mexico for the launch. it is all very exciting, i've been watching the live stream. nothing yet, but what is going on with you? it is a very exciting day. all sorts of ways, about 45 minutes ago, we source a richard branson and the two pilots, the three—car members, they came out onto the tarmacjust behind me, huge cheers from the crowd, and then they were transported about a mile and half down the two mile runway, in a land rover, and they are now the spaceship. it is due to take off in a few minutes' time. it was delayed in an hour and a half, weather conditions delete it. we should bejust weather conditions delete it. we should be just a few minutes away, so richard is a few moments away from hopefully turning his lifelong dream into reality. imro —— in a few

moments, we should see the space ship, down,. the mothership is named after his mother, eve, and it will dislodge from the mother ship, to dislodge from the mother ship, to dislodge it to the edge of space with a rocket. there we are told they should have around three or four minutes of weightlessness and be able to float and wonder at the view that only a few hundred, a selective you have had of. they will return to earth gliding back to the spaceport here, so it is a very exciting time here, and it is very exciting, we havejust seen exciting time here, and it is very exciting, we have just seen a tarantula walk along the runway, just to give you a sense of the conditions here in the new mexico desert, we are near a town called truth and consequences, so excitement is building, everyone here, and we have been here since about 230, three o'clock this morning. beaming faces, huge,

nervous excitement and anticipation because this is a big day, notjust for branson, but for the people here, the taxpayers of new mexico have invested more than $250 million in the spaceport, the first purpose—built commercial spaceport in the world and for them this is a major step forward. it is just a test flight, but another step forward, it will be carrying passengers for the first time, and a step on thatjourney towards a space tourism. step on that 'ourney towards a space tourism. , , ., , tourism. sophie, is really interesting _ tourism. sophie, is really interesting because - tourism. sophie, is really interesting because he i tourism. sophie, is really. interesting because he has tourism. sophie, is really- interesting because he has had a tourism. sophie, is really— interesting because he has had a lot of support from the likes of elon musk as well, so many people are watching the launch of unity today. new now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett. cloud has been increasing and it has led to thundery showers in scotland and perhaps northern england as well. i had an rain moving across wales and the south—west moving towards the south of england to the

midlands and just getting wetter as the night goes on across england and wales are keeping temperatures no lower than 15 degrees. it turned drier in scotland and also northern ireland. ten which is lower here. a messy day tomorrow put up a lot of cloud and rain around in could be heavy for a while. as the cloud thins and breaks that would trigger heavy, thundery downpours, especially in scotland, northern england and the south—east of england and the south—east of england with the threat of local flooding. a bit drier and warmer than today. the details could change but as we head into tuesday may have their downpours on the other side of their downpours on the other side of the channel. the threat of heavy showers towards the south—east but generally they showers are fewer and lighter on tuesday. it is drying up from the west end with a bit more sunshine it should be a bit warmer. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: on the brink of history — england's footballers prepare to take on italy, in tonight's final of euro 2020 — their biggest match in more than half a century.