build a better future for britain. ina in a major speech, rishi sunak focuses on easing serious problems in the nhs as well as cutting inflation and growing the economy. the cost of living, too high. waiting times in the nhs, too long. illegal migration, far too much. we will be analysing the detail in his promises. also on the programme. more than 160,000 people have paid their last respects to the former pope, benedict xvi. the prolific novelist, fay weldon who wrote more

than 30 books has died at the age of 90 books. and a thrilling finish at the pdc world darts championships as england's michael smith triumphs for the first time. and coming up in sportsday later on the bbc news channel... we'll have reaction to the death of the west ham co owner david gold who has passed away after a short illness at the age of 86. good evening. the prime minister has focused on the nhs, the cost of living and the economy as he set out a fresh vision for his government with five pledges to voters. mr sunak promised to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop illegal channel crossings.

the government has been under huge pressure on the nhs and the prime minister said reforms were coming and that something has to change. labour called him the do nothing prime minister and said the country is entitled to ask, is that it? 0ur political editor chris mason reports. we have had thousands and thousands of pounds of business lost over many weeks all year. it is of pounds of business lost over many weeks all year-— weeks all year. it is the first time i have asked _ weeks all year. it is the first time i have asked for help, _ weeks all year. it is the first time i have asked for help, i _ weeks all year. it is the first time i have asked for help, ijust - weeks all year. it is the first time | i have asked for help, ijust cannot do it_ i have asked for help, ijust cannot do it at— i have asked for help, ijust cannot do it at the — i have asked for help, ijust cannot do it at the minute. i i have asked for help, i 'ust cannot do it at the minute._ do it at the minute. i had to take him out in _ do it at the minute. i had to take him out in the _ do it at the minute. i had to take him out in the rain _ do it at the minute. i had to take him out in the rain at _ do it at the minute. i had to take him out in the rain at the - do it at the minute. i had to take | him out in the rain at the hospital to have _ him out in the rain at the hospital to have the — him out in the rain at the hospital to have the x—ray _ him out in the rain at the hospital to have the x—ray and _ him out in the rain at the hospital to have the x—ray and then - him out in the rain at the hospital to have the x—ray and then bringl him out in the rain at the hospital. to have the x—ray and then bring him back into _ to have the x—ray and then bring him back into the — to have the x—ray and then bring him back into the ambulance. _ to have the x—ray and then bring him back into the ambulance. the - to have the x—ray and then bring him| back into the ambulance. the system seems _ back into the ambulance. the system seems completely— back into the ambulance. the system seems completely broken. _ back into the ambulance. the system seems completely broken. it - back into the ambulance. the system seems completely broken.— back into the ambulance. the system seems completely broken. it might be a new ear, seems completely broken. it might be a new year. but _ seems completely broken. it might be a new year, but last _ seems completely broken. it might be a new year, but last year's _ seems completely broken. it might be a new year, but last year's problems l a new year, but last year's problems confront us seemingly everywhere. the prime minister claims he gets it. ., the prime minister claims he gets it. . , ., , ., ., it. new year should be a time of o timism it. new year should be a time of optimism and — it. new year should be a time of optimism and excitement. - it. new year should be a time of optimism and excitement. yet l it. new year should be a time of- optimism and excitement. yet i know many of you look ahead to 2023 with apprehension. i want you to know that as your prime minister, i will

work at night and day to change that. and quickly. the health service this winter confronts immense pressures. can service this winter confronts immense pressures. service this winter confronts immense ressures. ., ., , ., , , immense pressures. can any others be confident it will _ immense pressures. can any others be confident it will be _ immense pressures. can any others be confident it will be there _ immense pressures. can any others be confident it will be there for _ immense pressures. can any others be confident it will be there for us, - confident it will be there for us, orfamilies if we confident it will be there for us, or families if we suddenly need it? people are understandably anxious when they see ambulance queueing outside hospitals. you should know we are taking urgent action, increasing bed capacity by 7000 more hospital beds and more people cared at home. providing you funding to discharge people into social care in the community, freeing up beds. this was pointedly a speech that tried to look beyond the array of what many see as crises happening now, to set out what rishi sunak is about and hopes to achieve. fiee out what rishi sunak is about and hopes to achieve. five promises... weevil half— hopes to achieve. five promises... weevil half inflation, _ hopes to achieve. five promises... weevil half inflation, grow - hopes to achieve. five promises... weevil half inflation, grow the - weevil half inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats. those of

the people's priorities, those are your government's priorities and we will either have achieved them or not. ., ., . , ., not. from migrant crossings to the econom , not. from migrant crossings to the economy. rishi — not. from migrant crossings to the economy, rishi sunak— not. from migrant crossings to the economy, rishi sunak tried - not. from migrant crossings to the economy, rishi sunak tried to - not. from migrant crossings to the economy, rishi sunak tried to set| economy, rishi sunak tried to set targets he could be measured against. he also tried to tell us about what drives him, education and aspiration all young people in england, study maths in some form until 18. england, study maths in some form until18. his england, study maths in some form until 18. his anger at anti—social behaviour, albeit without you specific ideas to tackle. and then there was this... specific ideas to tackle. and then there was this. . ._ there was this... family is something _ there was this... family is something politicians - there was this... family is - something politicians struggle to talk about. you can be pilloried for being out of touch. but whatever your family looks like, it doesn't matter as long as the common bond is love. ., matter as long as the common bond is love. . , . , love. the health services under extraordinary _ love. the health services under extraordinary pressure - love. the health services under extraordinary pressure right - love. the health services under. extraordinary pressure right now love. the health services under- extraordinary pressure right now and some people watching this this afternoon might say, is that it? how soon will things improve in the nhs this winter? ~ ., soon will things improve in the nhs this winter?— soon will things improve in the nhs this winter? ~ . ., .., , this winter? what i want the country to know is. — this winter? what i want the country

to know is, this _ this winter? what i want the country to know is, this is _ this winter? what i want the country to know is, this is an _ this winter? what i want the country to know is, this is an absolute - to know is, this is an absolute priority for me. i made five promises today are making sure people can get the care they need as quickly they needed is right there as one of those priorities. the country should help me to account for delivering it and i am confident we will. ., ., . ., , we will. you will notice there was no commitment _ we will. you will notice there was no commitment to _ we will. you will notice there was no commitment to a _ we will. you will notice there was no commitment to a timeframe l we will. you will notice there was | no commitment to a timeframe for things improving in the nhs this winter. labour claimed the prime minister is out of touch. the conservatives _ minister is out of touch. the conservatives have - minister is out of touch. the conservatives have been in charge for 13 _ conservatives have been in charge for 13 years, it is a very long time to make — for 13 years, it is a very long time to make change in our country. the problems— to make change in our country. the problems we see today, whether it is in the _ problems we see today, whether it is in the nhs, _ problems we see today, whether it is in the nhs, schools or communities when _ in the nhs, schools or communities when it— in the nhs, schools or communities when it comes to crime come down to a failure _ when it comes to crime come down to a failure over— when it comes to crime come down to a failure over those 13 years. the prime minister _ a failure over those 13 years, j“- prime minister returned to a failure over those 13 years. tue: prime minister returned to downing street, his stall set out. tomorrow it will be keir starmer�*s turn two offer labour�*s alternative vision. chris mason, bbc news, in east london. so the prime minister has said that nhs waiting lists were "too long" and promised they would fall

with people getting the care they need more quickly. 0ur health editor hugh pym is here. is it achievable? it isa it is a big ask and a stretching target. the waiting list in england currently 7.2 million, would carry on rising up until early next year before starting to turn around. if anything, since that prediction things have got harder, there are more covid patients in hospitals than anticipated. the flu is having a serious impact and there are strikes, all factors which are limiting the number of operations which can be carried out. it is very possible the trend will not turn around until after the spring of next year. and then we get very close to the end of the parliament at the end of the year. those monthly figures will be watched closely in downing street. rishi sunak also talked about measures being put in place to support the nhs now, 7000 extra hospital beds. that was an ounce for the nhs in

england last august. a fund to help get patients more quickly out of hospital. not all that money has been paid yet. so some might say even with all those measures referred to, look at the scenes we are getting right now in a&e units and ambulances queueing at hospitals. and ambulances queueing at hositals. ., ., and ambulances queueing at hospitals-— and ambulances queueing at hositals. ., ~ , and ambulances queueing at hositals. ., , , hospitals. thank you. chris mason is a westminster, _ hospitals. thank you. chris mason is a westminster, big _ hospitals. thank you. chris mason is a westminster, big promises, - hospitals. thank you. chris mason is a westminster, big promises, are i a westminster, big promises, are they deliverable? it is a westminster, big promises, are they deliverable?— they deliverable? it is a big question. _ they deliverable? it is a big question, how _ they deliverable? it is a big question, how deliverable i they deliverable? it is a big - question, how deliverable they are. when you look at this speech in the round, it was striking how big a picture it was, given the crises, as many see them, happening right here, right now. it felt like a party conference speech that rishi sunak was unable to get because he was cast briefly into political oblivion last autumn, having lost the race to be prime minister, only to be politically reincarnation. that sense he's reintroducing himself to the country. some look achievable, others are vague but others speak to the gravity of the situation we find

ourselves in. if the economy can grow at some point, or by the end of this year to keep that promise, it could mean month after month, after months of recession. the big challenge for rishi sunak given the political and economic inheritance he has taken on is, can he deliver enough, quickly enough on a tight timeframe with the general election now within two years? tomorrow, it will be keir starmer�*s turn two set out his alternative vision as both men grapple, if you like, to be seen to be the competent and potentially inspiring managers of a rather gloomy era. inspiring managers of a rather gloomy era-— inspiring managers of a rather gloomy era. inspiring managers of a rather uloom era. , ., ~ i. a number of business groups have been meeting the chancellor, jeremy hunt, to discuss what government support they will get with energy bills after march when the current support scheme expires. it's understood help will continue until next year but at a significantly reduced rate. however the warmer weather we are

experiences means that some good news for households amid predictions domestic bills may rise by less than previously thought. our business editor simonjack can tell us more just as households have seen their energy bills subsidised during the energy crunch, non—domestic users — businesses, local authorities charities etc — have also had government support with their bills. the budget watchdog estimates that support will cost {18.4 billion by the end of march. support to continue but at a significantly reduced rate but will continue till march 202a. that is partly because energy is much cheaper now than at the height of the energy crisis. he said no government can permanently shield businesses from this energy price shock and the support is expensive. energy is much cheaper now than at the height of the crisis. you can see just how far, this is wholesale energy prices have fallen. what we don't know is exactly where prices for businesses will be

fixed and which industries will get more support than others — more detail to come next week. but those falling prices may also lower household bills. under the government's energy price guarantee, a typical household will pay £2,500 a year until march rising to £3,000 after that. that is minus the £4000 you get off. but latest estimates from leading analysts suggest a typical bill will fall to £2,800 in autumn of this year. that is still three times higher than the long—term average, but costing households a bit less than thought and costing the government less in subsidies. the bottom line, business costs all rise, household incomes are still falling and it is a recipe for a very challenging 2023. sophie... the funeral of the former pope benedict xvi will take place tomorrow.

more than 60,000 people are expected to attend. his successor pope francis tomorrow. the pope's body has been lying in state since monday and huge crowds have been filing past to pay their respects. 0ur religion editor aleem maqbool is at the vatican for us now. the doors did close here a few moments ago and already the vatican has told us over the three days that benedict xvi's body was lying in state in saint peter's basilica 195,000 people filed past. so many taking this moment to reflect. even though the pope emeritus step—down backin though the pope emeritus step—down back in 2013 his passing could still mark something of a change at the vatican going forward. in one part of the vatican, pope francis was making an appearance in his weekly audience. he started by paying

tribute to his predecessor. his funeral, he will lead tomorrow. a very short distance away, thousands were taking their final opportunity to file past benedict xvi lying in state. after his burial, for the first time in nearly a decade, there will be only one pope in the vatican. so what is having the former pope around been like for the current incumbent? we asked one of those closest to him. it current incumbent? we asked one of those closest to him.— those closest to him. it does have an effect. there _ those closest to him. it does have an effect. there is _ those closest to him. it does have an effect. there is a _ those closest to him. it does have an effect. there is a presence - those closest to him. it does have i an effect. there is a presence there which is undeniable. i don't think it has obstructed pope francis in any way. he has done, said and decided what he wanted to do. but it is a powerful presence, i think most of us have been in the situations where there is a bit of a shadow

from our predecessor and may be people make comparisons and say, we did it differently in the past. in the recent months, pope francis has struggled with mobility. there was speculation he was reluctant to consider resigning while pope benedict was around and he might now consider that option more freely. if we had three popes, that would be, we had three popes, that would be, we have to say a little bit difficult to manage, i would think. but now pope benedict has gone to the lord, i think, yes, but now pope benedict has gone to the lord, ithink, yes, pope but now pope benedict has gone to the lord, i think, yes, pope francis will stick to those principles that he has established, he will continue in this ministry as long as he believes and says he is capable. pope francis has always shown immense respect for his predecessor. in the morning, tens of thousands of people will pull into st peter's

square to join people will pull into st peter's square tojoin him in laying benedict xvi to rest. our top story this evening. the prime minister sets out his five promises for this parliament, including cutting nhs waiting lists, reducing inflation and growing the economy. michael smith is victorious for coming up on sportsday in the next 15 minutes on the bbc news channel... it's the end of the road for great britian in the inaugral mixed team united cup that's taking place in australia. they have been knocked out by the usa in the quarterfinals. region of ukraine happened because its soldiers had been using their mobile phones there, defying a ban. it's the largest single number

of fatalities that russia has admitted to in the war. ukraine claims hundreds more were actually killed. much of the fighting is centred around the city of bakhmut here in the donetsk region of the donbas. the battle there has been described as a meat grinder, with high numbers of casualties on both sides. almost all of the city's 70,000 occupants have fled. russia is working hard to capture bakhmut in the hope it could lead to the fall of sloviansk and kramatorsk as well, the two most important cities in the donbas still under ukrainian control. but ukrainian forces are holding firm. 0ur correspondent yogita limaye has been on the front line in bakhmut munitons explode. this is what the merciless bombardment of a city looks like. munitions explode. and how it sounds.

once a quiet place known for sparkling wine, bakhmut is now a byword for war, and ukraine's resistance. russia is using all its might to try and take this city. we drove past abandoned buildings, 90% of the people have fled. this is what you can see everywhere in bakhmut — destruction. 0n the other side of the road you can see apartment blocks that are completely destroyed. we're walking all over shards of glass, pretty much every second you hear the sound of artillery fire. you can tell every minute that this is a city that is being intensely fought over. and over the past few months of fierce battle, even though it's at an important road intersection, it is the symbolic importance of this fight but has become greater then its strategic location.

bakhmut is the home anatoly has known all his life. we see him barely react when a shell lands a few hundred metres away. shell explodes. he has come to an aid centre, a lifeline for those still here. why don't you leave, we asked him. translation: l have - nowhere to go, i am alone. who would want to take an 86—year—old? here at least sometimes, when the soldiers throw away food orsoup, ifind itand eat it. and i get free bread in my whole life, i've never seen anything like this. tetiana used to be a midwife before the war. now she is a volunteer. translation: | stay - because i'm needed here. of course i'm scared. i've been caught in shelling three times. i suffered a concussion.

but what use would i be hiding in a basement? people stay for different reasons. munitions explode. the explosions don't stop, but no—one flinches. it's as if they've become numb. running from bombs every day, repeated trauma, without an end. this person told us she and her daughter live like mice, running out quickly to get bread. walking to this centre for a bit of food is a risk they take to survive. 0utside, we met alexey, the mayor of bakhmut. we can't show his location. "it is myjob, my life, my fate, to stay here. "i won't leave the people, and i trust that ukraine's "military won't allow my city to fall," he said. we went to see ukrainian defence,

taken to a location we can't disclose. underground, to one of their command centres in the city. the heart of the military operation. fewjournalists have been here. this is a live feed from drones beyond the eastern edge of bakhmut, where russian forces are stationed. the men here are trying to locate the target. for an assault team that has just gone out. this commander told us this is the toughest battle he's ever fought. translation: we haven't seen enemy troops like this before. _ their soldiers openly advance under fire, even if they're littering the ground with their bodies, even if only 20 are left of their 60 men.

it is very difficult to hold against such an invasion. a few weeks ago we had to withdraw from the eastern approaches to the city to save our soldiers. they showed us this video, the east of the city on new year's morning under russian attack. in the fields outside bakhmut, we see the daily grind to keep a hold on it. the winter makes it harder to camouflage guns and men. we watch them fire soviet—era weapons. soldiers tell us they work well and do the job, but modern equipment would help push through the deadlock on the ground. 0n the other end isn'tjust the russian military, there are also thousands of mercenaries from the private wagner group. they expect incoming fire,

so we retreat to a bunker. why does it feel like it is deadlocked on the ground? "it is stuck for many reasons. "the winter makes it harder to use equipment. "we also have a shortage of weapons and ammunition," 21—year—old 0leksandr replies. back to positions they go. each side trying to wear the other down... ..in this battle of endurance. yogita limaye, bbc news, bakhmut. now a look at some other stories making the news today... households stepped up their borrowing against their homes in november as the cost of living crisis intensified. the bank of england released figures today showing that individuals borrowed an additional £4.4 billion in additional home loans,

compared to £3.6 billion in october. the environmental campaign group friends of the earth says it will be taking legal action against the government's decision to approve a new coal mine. the facility in cumbria is expected to extract nearly 2.8 million tonnes of coal per year for use in steel—making, rather than power generation. fresh food inflation rose by a record 15% in december, up from just over 14% in november, according to the british retail consortium. it marks the highest monthly inflation rate for fresh food since records began in 2005. new research shows many small towns and local high streets are busier than they were three years ago. kirkby in merseyside has seen the largest increase — with visitor numbers up almost 160 per cent compared with 2019. but it footfall is down in some cities, such as the city of london, where it's down by more than 50%.

david sillito reports from devon. welcome to 0ttery st mary's. i poppedin welcome to 0ttery st mary's. i popped in to this pub at lunchtime to speak to those who are running the pub, and as you can see, they are rushed off their feet. the pub, and as you can see, they are rushed off theirfeet. taste the pub, and as you can see, they are rushed off their feet.- are rushed off their feet. we were not uuite are rushed off their feet. we were not quite ready — are rushed off their feet. we were not quite ready for _ are rushed off their feet. we were not quite ready for how _ are rushed off their feet. we were not quite ready for how busy - are rushed off their feet. we were not quite ready for how busy we i are rushed off their feet. we were i not quite ready for how busy we have been since covid lockdown. comparing 2019 with now? _ been since covid lockdown. comparing 2019 with now? there is _ been since covid lockdown. comparing 2019 with now? there is no _ 2019 with now? there is no comparison. _ 2019 with now? there is no comparison, i— 2019 with now? there is no comparison, i don't - 2019 with now? there is no comparison, i don't think, | 2019 with now? there is no l comparison, i don't think, we 2019 with now? there is no - comparison, i don't think, we are so much _ comparison, i don't think, we are so much busier — comparison, i don't think, we are so much busier. find comparison, i don't think, we are so much busier-— much busier. and down the road in budleiah much busier. and down the road in budleigh salterton, _ much busier. and down the road in budleigh salterton, the _ much busier. and down the road in budleigh salterton, the beachfrontj budleigh salterton, the beachfront cafe is for the first time opening through the winter. these scores of other towns and neighbourhoods are now busier than they were in 2019. the footfall analysis has been carried out by data analysts. there have been several— carried out by data analysts. there have been several striking - carried out by data analysts. there have been several striking trends. | have been several striking trends. to begin, the high street is not dead, and infact to begin, the high street is not dead, and in fact many places are now even more active than before,

essentially a burgeoning localism. residents are spending more time at home and in their local communities. however, it's a very different story in big city centres, especially the city of london. it is just after five o'clock, this is the bank of england, the city of london, and what used to be called the rush—hour. have a look at this. this is london bridge in 2019, at rush—hour. and this is a friday rush—hour. and this is a friday rush—hour in 2022. the agency says footfall has dropped by more than 50%, and while some places are still crowded, property companies are planning for a future based around the new office week. what planning for a future based around the new office week.— planning for a future based around the new office week. what we see is tuesda s, the new office week. what we see is tuesdays, wednesdays, _ the new office week. what we see is tuesdays, wednesdays, thursdays, | tuesdays, wednesdays, thursdays, incredibly busy, mondays, 50% to 60%

of those days, and friday is almost like another weekend day. 50. of those days, and friday is almost like another weekend day.- of those days, and friday is almost like another weekend day. so, a new normal? for— like another weekend day. so, a new normal? for now. _ like another weekend day. so, a new normal? for now. less _ like another weekend day. so, a new normal? for now. less commuting, l normal? for now. less commuting, more time in our own neighbourhoods. it could be worse. the author fay weldon who was best known for books including the life and loves of a she—devil has died at the age of 91. the prolific writer published more than 30 novels during her career as well as collections of short stories, films for television and pieces of journalism. rebecca jones reports. fay weldon wrote playful, punchy tales in which women were exploited tjy tales in which women were exploited by men, though they often got their own back. in one, the pregnant heroine receives an awful warning from an older woman. it is heroine receives an awful warning from an older woman.— heroine receives an awful warning from an older woman. it is only the fear of pregnancy — from an older woman. it is only the fear of pregnancy which _ from an older woman. it is only the fear of pregnancy which keeps - from an older woman. it is only the fear of pregnancy which keeps girls| fear of pregnancy which keeps girls on the straight and narrow. she was brou:ht u- on the straight and narrow. she was brought up in _ on the straight and narrow. she was brought up in new _ on the straight and narrow. she was brought up in new zealand, - on the straight and narrow. she was brought up in new zealand, a - brought up in new zealand, a portrait of her and her sister hangs in the national gallery of new

zealand. she came to britain at 15. she first made her name as an advertising copywriter. she later claimed her advertising success was down to luck. but life wasn't easy. a single mother in her early 20s, she briefly married an older man who wouldn't sleep with her.— she briefly married an older man who wouldn't sleep with her. amazing how one unseen person _ wouldn't sleep with her. amazing how one unseen person can _ wouldn't sleep with her. amazing how one unseen person can do _ wouldn't sleep with her. amazing how one unseen person can do so - wouldn't sleep with her. amazing how one unseen person can do so much i wouldn't sleep with her. amazing how one unseen person can do so much to j one unseen person can do so much to spoil a life. one unseen person can do so much to spoil a life-— spoil a life. after marrying again, she bean spoil a life. after marrying again, she began writing _ spoil a life. after marrying again, she began writing tv _ spoil a life. after marrying again, she began writing tv plays i spoil a life. after marrying again, she began writing tv plays and i she began writing tv plays and novels while she was pregnant. she wrote about class, the sexual revolution and the supernatural. you had better revolution and the supernatural. gm, had better keep that. revolution and the supernatural. you had better keep that. but _ revolution and the supernatural. you had better keep that. but it - revolution and the supernatural. you had better keep that. but it is i revolution and the supernatural. you had better keep that. but it is your l had better keep that. but it is your weddin: had better keep that. but it is your wedding ring! _ had better keep that. but it is your wedding ring! the _ had better keep that. but it is your wedding ring! the best _ had better keep that. but it is your wedding ring! the best loan i had better keep that. but it is your wedding ring! the best loan novel, the life and _ wedding ring! the best loan novel, the life and loves _ wedding ring! the best loan novel, the life and loves of _ wedding ring! the best loan novel, the life and loves of a _ wedding ring! the best loan novel, j the life and loves of a she-devil, the life and loves of a she—devil, in which a woman takes revenge on her unfaithful husband, was adapted for television, cementing her reputation as one of britain's foremost feminist writers. 0ne reputation as one of britain's foremost feminist writers. one of her best novel is also later became a film, yet as she got older, her views on women's roles shifted.

well, just feminism would change things, it was technology, it was birth control, it was all kinds of other factors. birth control, it was all kinds of otherfactors. sometimes i think feminism wasjust a otherfactors. sometimes i think feminism was just a sort of cloak under which capitalism crept up on us all and turned us into a consumer society and made us all go out to work and exhausted us.— society and made us all go out to work and exhausted us. later in life she uraed work and exhausted us. later in life she urged women _ work and exhausted us. later in life she urged women to _ work and exhausted us. later in life she urged women to pick _ work and exhausted us. later in life she urged women to pick up - work and exhausted us. later in life she urged women to pick up their. she urged women to pick up their husbands' and socks. some feminists accused her of betrayal. she felt herjob accused her of betrayal. she felt her job was accused her of betrayal. she felt herjob was done. what drove me to feminism 15 years ago, she wrote, was the myth that men were the breadwinners and women kept house and looked pretty. that myth finally exploded, and i helped to explode it, she said. fay weldon, who's died at the age of 91. never give up — that's what england's michael smith says after he became world champion and world number one at darts last night. after a run of defeats last year he started 2023 with a thrilling nine—dart finish as he beat the three—time champion michael van gerwen at the pdc world championships in london. 0ur sports correspondent

laura scott reports. michael smith, world champion at last. twice he had come agonisingly close, but third time did prove a charm for the man from st helens. now he has finally won it, it's clear he's not taking his eyes off this prize. i clear he's not taking his eyes off this rize. ., clear he's not taking his eyes off this rize. ~' ., this prize. i think i left about uuarter this prize. i think i left about quarter past _ this prize. i think i left about quarter past 12, _ this prize. i think i left about quarter past 12, half - this prize. i think i left about quarter past 12, half past i this prize. i think i left about quarter past 12, half past 12, j this prize. i think i left about i quarter past 12, half past 12, to come back to the hotel. hotel bar was shut at 11 so ijust come back to the hotel. hotel bar was shut at 11 so i just went straight to my room and stirred up the trophy for seven hours. three—time champion michael van gerwen was the man to beat, and the dutchman had his chances. together, they produced a final for the history books, but it wasn't smith who delivered perfection under pressure. landing a 9—dart finish, cool as you like. hailed by some as the greatest ever leg of darts and

sending alexandra palace into pandemonium. after a night of sporting theatre that he and they will never forget, sporting theatre that he and they will neverforget, he sporting theatre that he and they will never forget, he sealed an outrageous, overdue victory. and promised there will be more to come with egg i have worked so hard to have this title, to be where i knew i could be, and i don't want to slip, i don't want to let go, i want to try to do what michael van gerwen did and dominate the sport for years. he says his two children remain his greatest achievement, but as of sporting memories go, he acknowledged this would never be topped. and finally to a fox with just two legs. you can imagine the surprise when a family in derbyshire spotted this in their back garden. they are used to seeing foxes, but not like this one. it was out there for at least half an hour playing and foraging for food. we have

for at least half an hour playing and foraging forfood. we have no idea what actually happened to the animal but derbyshire wildlife trust says the fox appears to be relatively healthy and has adapted well to life on two legs. certainly has, extraordinary footage! let's have a look at the weather. weatherwise, we have seen a few showers around today but no huge rainfall amounts, but despite that, there are 23 flood warnings currently in force, most of them across southern england, which is a sign of how saturated the ground is. if we looked out in the atlantic we have got low pressure on the way. this will bring strong winds tomorrow night. in this area, near canada,is tomorrow night. in this area, near canada, is set to bring some heavy rain friday night into saturday, which could pose the threat of some more flooding. 0vernight tonight, a few showers around initially but then the skies tend to clear. it is not too cold, there will be some frost in scotland but otherwise temperatures about 5—10 in the south

by the end the night.