A BBC presenter has sadly died after nearly 30 years on air.

Andy Ball worked on BBC Merseyside for nearly 30 years as a reporter and presenter.

In a statement today, BBC Merseyside said: “We’re sad to have to tell you that our friend and Colleague Andy Ball has passed away.

“Andy worked for BBC Merseyside for nearly 30 years as a Presenter, reporter and part of the management team.

“He loved the river and enjoyed nothing more than getting out into the communities right across the whole of Merseyside.

“We will miss him dearly and send all our love and condolences to his wife Lynn and family.”

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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A NEW campsite on the edge of the Lake District is minutes away from a huge beach – and don’t expect to see many kids running around either.

The luxury shepherd’s hut in the countryside offers a peaceful escape because it’s adults-only.

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The shepherd’s hut has a king size bed, ensuite bathroom and kitchen[/caption]

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The shepherd’s hut is on a livestock farm and offers views of the Cumbrian countryside[/caption]

Found in Cumbria, the tiny campsite is on a working farm with cows, sheep, horses and chickens.

The panelled hut might be small and cosy, but still has a king-size bed and ensuite bathroom as well as a fully equipped kitchen and living area.

Outside, you’ll find a wood-fired hot tub, firepit and griddle. 

If you’re more of an animal-lover, you’re in luck – the website reads: “Although kids aren’t allowed here, dogs are very welcome.”

A five-minute walk away from the hut is the village of Dunnerholme, which has a sandy beach perfect for swimming.

Around the corner is the Dunnerholme Golf Club which someone praised as a “10 hole golf course with bags of character”.

They were particularly impressed with the “spectacular view, with impressive Lake District hills as the main backdrop”.

Dunnerholme is also home to some historic landmarks, including a 12th-century castle.

The town of Ulverston is also a short drive away, where you’ll find a historic bobbin mill and lighthouse.

In the woods is an internationally renowned meditation centre where you can enjoy a 15-minute guided meditation for free.

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There are plenty of animals to see outside of the hut as it’s on a working livestock farm[/caption]

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The hut fits a king size bed and living area too[/caption]

We found that Ulverston also has a pub, The Stan Laurel, dedicated to Laurel and Hardy.

The traditional inn is filled with Laurel and Hardy memorabilia, as well as real ales and home-cooked meals.

Ulverston also has a drive-through ice cream parlour and lots of summer festivals.

Sandscale Haws Nature Reserve is around the corner too and is home to rare plants, butterflies and wildflowers.

It’s a great place for beachcombing and birdwatching too.

Nearby is the charming village of Coniston – which has royal ties as Kate Middleton used to go there on family holidays.

The lake, Coniston Water, is where you can either hop on a motor boat or try your hand at kayaking and paddle boarding.

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For those who aren’t a fan of water there are also electric and pedal bikes for hire around Coniston and lots of routes to explore.

Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway is less than half an hour away, and you can climb aboard a steam train.

A single adult fare is just £12, and train tickets can also be bought with attractions to the Lakes Aquarium, boat trips to both Bowness and Ambleside, and The World of Beatrix Potter.

For anyone after adventure, there’s also Grizedale Forest where you’ll find mountain bike trails and a Go Ape course.

You can book the Shepherd’s Hut from £100 per night on pitchup.com.

Alamy

DAVID HUMPHREYS knows that any team in the world would miss Andy Farrell – but he thinks Ireland will be fine without him. 

Ireland kick off their Six Nations campaign on Saturday against England as they look to make it three Championships in a row without inspirational head coach Farrell. 

Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

He is on secondment as he takes charge of the Lions this summer as assistant coach Simon Easterby steps up temporarily for the Championship and this summer’s tour. 

But IRFU Performance Director Humphreys has so much confidence in Farrell’s coaching staff that he does not think Farrell’s absence will not be too keenly felt. 

He said: “Andy Farrell will be missed for any coaching team. In my opinion he’s the best rugby coach in the world and that’s why he’s become such an important part of what we do.

“Yes, Andy isn’t here but nothing else has changed. 

“Simon has been a big part of the success over the last few years, he has head coach experience and I have no doubt he’ll thrive under the pressure that will come with head coach over the next few weeks.

“Having been on the Emerging Ireland tour and seen how Simon and Paulie (O’Connell) and Andrew Goodman work together, I have absolutely no doubt it will be an easy transition in the next few months.”

Humphreys is also confident that Ireland will be much better in the next seven weeks that they were in last November’s Series. 

While Ireland won three of four games as they beat Argentina, Fiji and Australia after a loss to New Zealand, performances fell well below expectations in Farrell’s final games. 

But Humphrys is confident that is an aberration due to an unusual build-up as players’ seasons started late due to the extended 2023-24 campaign. 

He added: “When the review was taken of the November series, when you look before that, coming into that competition, the provinces weren’t playing particularly well, some of our key players were probably struggling a bit with their form.

“Compare that with the last month where I think you’ve seen a lot of our top players playing really well in Europe. 

“That’s why we’re going into the Six Nations in a really good spot. The players are playing with a lot more confidence that comes from having played well.”

SIGNING up Ronnie Vint’s ex Harriett Blackmore to All Stars should have been a series highlight for Love Island – but it fell flat.

The brunette bombshell confidently arrived during a kissing challenge – and, as expected, turned Ronnie’s head instantly.

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It ended his two-week romance with Towie’s Elma Pazar on the spot as he confessed he was “in love” with his ex and wanted to win her back.

It sound like the makings of an entertaining love triangle, but instead threatens to kill off the show – and that’s because fans are convinced Ron and Harriett plotted this storyline.

Just weeks before entering the villa for a second time, Ron had sent roses to Harriett for Christmas – signing off the card “love you”.

If she wasn’t on board with the fake break up, surely Harriett would be furious that her ex was in Love Island while trying to get back with her?

Instead, the pair struggled to even pretend they weren’t totally fixated on each other.

Harriett weakly claimed she wouldn’t be kissing him all series as he tenderly caressed her legs on the day bed.

But just one episode later, the pair pucker up in a first look at tonight’s show.

It’s after Harriett was pied by Ron Hall who she picked, apparently, to keep Ronnie on his toes.

Ronnie and Harriett have done such a bad job at pretending they weren’t planning to reunite all along that it’s pointed out what’s wrong with the format.

Yes, All Stars is bound to have a mix of exes in the villa prepared to offer some frosty atmospheres or exciting second chances.

But Love Island should ban serious couples like Harriett and Ronnie – who left the last series together – from being on the show.

Fans don’t want to feel like they’re being hoodwinked.

They want to see true love blossom – just like what happened between winners Tom Clare and Molly Smith on last year’s All Stars.

It’s Elma I feel sorry for in all this.

You could tell she really liked Ronnie and went against her instincts to give it a go with the self-nicknamed ‘Turbo Ronnie’.

From the off they had natural chemistry with their fun sense of humour – but it was all in vain.

Despite being on a dating show, Ronnie’s head was still firmly with his ex who just happened to arrive two weeks later.

Now Elma – someone who fans are rooting for to find love – has been left single and at risk of being dumped.

Meanwhile Ronnie and Harriett are preparing to cash in on future opportunities as a couple with brand deals and photo shoots.

From a show that has genuinely produced some true love stories – it was a predictably disappointing move.

ALDI Ireland fans are rushing to buy a new “roadside hero” in the middle aisle – and it costs just €4.99.

The Tyre Puncture Sealant Can is available in stores across the country from January 30.

The retailer said: “This Tyre Puncture Sealant Can is your instant roadside hero this winter!

“Mend punctures and resume your adventure in a matter of minutes.”

The sealant can “fits in your glove compartment”.

Aldi added: “Just attach the nozzle, press the button, and watch as the innovative formula seeks out and seals punctures instantly.

“Designed to fit a wide range of vehicle types.”

Meanwhile, an Irish driving instructor has revealed a major hack to speed up your test waiting time.

Learner drivers are facing long waits while the number of no-shows for scheduled tests has been rising each month for the past year.

An analysis by road safety campaigners Parc revealed that Kildare and Dublin have the longest wait times in the country, with some waits of up to 30 weeks.

But there’s a major hack on how to get a test date quicker that some drivers may not be aware about.

Lyle, known on TikTok as @Lyletheinstructor, is a hugely popular instructor with over 70,000 followers on the platform.

And he revealed a major hack to speed up test waiting time.

Lyle revealed that novice drivers can get an app on their phone called DriveNow Test Cancellations to alert them if a space comes up.

He said: “You can use it for free and select a test centre, and you can go into the app and see all the available cancellation dates.

“And then you can book it from that through the RSA website.”

Lyle then revealed that if you pay a subscription fee in the app, you will get unlimited notifications when an available date is free near you.

What’s more, novice drivers would also be able to book it through the app.

Lyle added: “You can also pay for the app and you can get unlimited notifications for cancellations that are live, and you will be able to book it straight away.

“And we know that cancellations often go very, very fast.

“If you don’t want to wait very long and if you want to grab a cancellation while they’re there, it might be a good idea to use the DriveNow app.”

The app is available through Apple’s app store, and for android users it can be downloaded through the play store.

You can use it for free, and it’s €4.99 per week for those willing to pay the subscription.

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