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Jeremy Clarkson addresses Richard Hammond reunion rumours

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The two presenters worked together alongside James May on both BBC’s Top Gear and Prime Video’s The Grand Tour for more than two decades.

Mr Clarkson lives in Oxfordshire, where he runs Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington and The Farmer’s Dog pub in Asthall, near Burford.

It has been reported that Mr Hammond has bought a six-bedroom Georgian manor house near Abergavenny in Wales.

READ MORE: Locals fear Jeremy Clarkson will move to town with Richard Hammond

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With a price tag of £2m, the mansion that was bought with cash comes with a tennis court, wine cellar, conservatory, lake and outbuildings for his collection of cars and motorbikes.

Villagers have seen the TV presenter shopping in Waitrose, with one telling The Sun: “It’s great having a celebrity face in town.

It was reported last week that some Abergavenny locals are fearful that Mr Clarkson may follow his former co-star and pal to the Welsh town.

However, the 65-year-old has quashed this idea of a move to reunite with Mr Hammond while writing in The Sun.

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson revamps Cotswolds farm shop with major changes

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He said: “Residents in the pretty Welsh town of Abergavenny said this week that after Richard Hammond bought a house in the area, they were ‘fearful’ that I’d do the same thing.

“Well, relax, boyos, because why would I want to live near Richard Hammond?

“The roads are dangerous enough as it is without having to worry about him coming round the corner, on fire and on his roof.”

Mr Clarkson’s jibes made reference to Mr Hammond’s multiple car crashes, which occurred while the TV shows the pair worked on together.





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Travel updates from British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways & more

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US President Donald Trump has warned that the Iran war could still escalate.

Oil prices spiked after the US president said he was considering a military operation to seize Iran’s Kharg Island, a crucial part of the country’s export infrastructure.

As a result of rising oil prices, several airlines have confirmed that the cost of travel will increase.


Your rights if your flight is cancelled or delayed


These are the latest updates from some of the major airlines that operate in the area.

Qatar Airways travel update

Qatar Airways told passengers: “Qatar Airways has published its latest revised schedule, reflecting the gradual increase in flights to and from Doha.

The latest update, valid until April 15, provides additional frequencies to more than 90 destinations across Qatar Airways’ global network.

“All flights to and from Doha continue to operate through dedicated flight corridors. These routes are established in close coordination with the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority.

 “Passengers who currently hold a confirmed booking on a flight to one of the destinations listed in the new schedule will be contacted with new flight information.

“Please be sure to check the Qatar Airways website or app and ensure your contact details are correct and updated.”

You can view the 90 destinations here.

Qantas travel update

Qantas has told passengers who will be affected by changes to flights that they will be contacted as soon as possible.

In a statement on March 26, the airline said: “We’re closely monitoring the evolving situation and any potential impact to our flights. The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority.

“Flights from Perth to London are currently operating via Singapore for a fuel stop due to adjustments required on flight paths.  The return service will continue to operate direct from London to Perth.

“We’re also making adjustments to our international schedule to operate more flights between Australia and Europe. The updated schedule will come into effect progressively for flights from mid-April and run until mid-July.

“As a result of the changes, flights to Paris will originate in Sydney and operate via Singapore instead of Perth. The return service will continue to operate direct from Paris to Perth until May.”

Emirates travel update

Following the partial reopening of regional airspace, Emirates is operating a “reduced flight schedule”.

The airline said: “We continue to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly.

“We would like to thank you for your understanding and patience.

“The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority and will not be compromised.”

Customers due to travel within the next seven days are being contacted directly by Emirates.

British Airways travel update

In their latest update from March 16, British Airways told its passengers it has extended the temporary reduction in its flying schedule due to “continuing uncertainty”.

A statement from the airline said: “Due to the continuing uncertainty of the situation in the Middle East and airspace instability, and to provide more clarity to our customers, we’ve extended the temporary reduction in our flying schedule in the region.

“We’re keeping the situation under constant review and are directly in touch with affected customers to offer them a range of options.

“Since the situation in the Middle East began, we’ve helped thousands of customers return home and operated eight relief flights from Muscat in Oman.

“We are also operating additional flights to and from Singapore (x4) and Bangkok (x3) and continue to review options to bring back more customers who have been disrupted.”





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Probe into ‘robbery’ at Boots in Oxfordshire market town

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Thames Valley Police said that products were stolen from the Boots store on Thame High Street at 3.45pm on February 22.

A man and woman were reportedly involved, loading bags with products from the store say police.

As they left with the stolen items a member of the public was pushed out of their way.

READ MORE: Council speaks out as group claims Oxford St George’s Day parade was banned

As part of its investigation the force is asking for the public’s help and has released CCTV image of an individual officers would like to speak to.

Investigating officer PC Patrick Edgar said: “We’re looking to identify the people in this CCTV image as we believe they may have information that could help our investigation.

A man the police would like to speak to in connection with a Thame incident (Image: TVP)

“If this person is you, or you recognise who they are, I would ask you to please get in touch with Thames Valley Police, either by making a report online or by calling us on 101, quoting reference 43260089266.

“Witnesses can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Thames Valley Police has released consistent updates about tackling retail crime over the past year.

READ MORE: Drug driving arrest as motorist stopped for broken lights

Last October, in an operation called October Op Purchase, the force recorded 406 incidents of theft from shops in Oxfordshire, with 142 positive outcomes, representing a 35 per cent positive outcome rate.

A positive outcome means formal action was taken, such as a charge, caution, or community resolution.

During the same period, 49 individuals were arrested for shoplifting, said the police.





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Christopher Eccleston verdict on Billie Piper as Doctor Who

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The Manchester-born actor’s first major role came in the early 1990s, with his breakout performance in Let Him Have It.

He followed this up with the popular BBC drama Our Friends in the North, starring alongside Daniel Craig, Gina McKee, and Mark Strong.

The 62-year-old has also featured in multiple films, including Shallow Grave, 28 Days Later and Thor: The Dark World.

But Chris is perhaps best known and beloved by fans across the world for his iconic turn as the Doctor in the BBC’s Doctor Who.

Playing the ninth incarnation of the Time Lord, he helped relaunch the sci-fi series in 2005 after ‘the wilderness years’.

READ MORE: Matt Smith wants Doctor Who return after shock regeneration

Christopher Eccleston. (Image: Jeff Moore / PA)

Bringing a modernised show which had new generations hiding behind the sofa, Chris starred opposite Billie Piper, who played companion, Rose Tyler.

Hopping in the Tardis and fast-forwarding to the present, he was at the Oxford Literary Festival on Sunday (March 29).

Sitting down opposite fellow actor Paterson Joseph, the pair discussed their lives and careers at Oxford University’s Sheldonian Theatre.

The 61-year-old, who has been the Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University for more than three years, is known for his roles in Wonka, Peep Show and Julius Caesar.

Both actors have written books, with I Love the Bones of You by Chris, and Mr Joseph’s award-winning The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho.

Following their conversation and some questions from the crowd, the pair departed the historic venue to rapturous applause.

READ MORE: Colin Baker claims Billie Piper ‘can’t be the next Doctor Who’

Paterson Joseph and Christopher Eccleston at the Sheldonian Theatre. (Image: Newsquest)

After the event, Chris took some time to have an exclusive chat with the Oxford Mail about Oxford, Doctor Who and more.

“I think I’ve been to Oxford once before,” he said.

“When I arrived here this morning, the bells were ringing, and when I was in Cambridge about a year ago for the Folk Festival, the bells were ringing too.

“It made me think of when I played Jude in Jude the Obscure, who is the classic working-class guy who dreams of being a scholar and coming to Oxford or Cambridge, and it’s never left me.

“And I was walking around today just completely and utterly astounded by the architecture.

“I went into the Divinity School and stood in there and just looked because Jude was a stonemason.

READ MORE: Billie Piper becomes new Doctor Who after Ncuti Gatwa regeneration

Christopher Eccleston. (Image: PA)

“The irony of Oxford and Cambridge, of course, is that all these working-class men made this beauty, and a lot of them dreamt to be scholars themselves.

“So it makes me think how fortunate I was to play Jude.”

Speaking about appearing at Oxford Literary Festival 2026, Chris added: “My dad would be very proud that I’ve been asked to speak at a literary festival because my family were all voracious readers.

“Books are the gateway, that’s what I’d say to any young person – if you’re in trouble, and you don’t know anything, it will be in a book.

“So if I can support a literary festival, I’ll be there.”

Having already penned his autobiographical book about his relationship with his father, Ronnie, Chris revealed that he’s keen to write again.

READ MORE: Alex Kingston teases River Song return to Doctor Who

Christopher Eccleston and Oxford Mail reporter Ed Burnett. (Image: Newsquest)

“Yes, I would like to write, but I think writing certainly within my industry is the hardest thing to do,” he said.

“I think it’s the most ignored and the most malign, and that’s deeply ironic because they’re the most important people in our industry, writers.

“So yes, I’d very much like to write again, but I don’t seem to have the discipline, especially with being alone with your thoughts for so long.

“Most of the writers I know working in television and film are lunatics because as soon as there’s a wrap party or a drink, they’re there because they spend so much time alone.

“But I should try more, and I really admire what Paterson’s done.”

In recent months, the 62-year-old has fronted a high‑profile campaign calling for a ban on gambling advertising, working with the Coalition to End Gambling Ads.

READ MORE: Former Doctor Who speculates on show’s future as BBC confirm new episode

A short film titled Stacking the Deck is available to watch on YouTube, and Chris spoofs the style of glossy betting commercials.

Criticising gambling ads, he has urged the government to curb promotions which are helping to destroy lives.

“We’ve addressed the advertising of alcohol, and we’ve addressed the advertising of tobacco, but we are not accepting that gambling is an addiction,” said Chris.

“It’s a disease. These gambling companies are making absolute fortunes, and they’ve got the government in their pocket.

“The government needs to clean that up, and I think the public would respect whichever government was in power if they said we’re going to take a lot of your money off you.

“People are committing suicide. I’ve interviewed a woman who lost her husband, and her two children have lost their father because of his addiction, which destroyed the family’s finances.

READ MORE: Doctor Who star spotted in restaurant on Oxfordshire border

Christopher Eccleston. (Image: PA)

“It’s being encouraged as you only need to have a mobile phone and you’re targeted. So it’s a moral question for me.

“Children are seeing these things. When you’re watching Premier League football, there are constant advertisements by people who should know better.

“It’s going in subliminally, and it’s rooting. It’s a huge addiction. So we start with the same strictures applied to the advertising of alcohol and tobacco.”

Moving on to music, Chris is known to be a big fan of The Smiths from his native Manchester, but the actor opened up on what else he likes to listen to.

“I like Black Grape, Happy Mondays, Joy Division, New Order, but really I’m a soul boy.

“The Smiths are an outlier for me. I was born in 1964, and I heard all the great Motown stacks, all of funk, hearing black American music made me realise that America is a country built on racial discrimination.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire actress starring in new Doctor Who spin-off series

Christopher Eccleston. (Image: PA)

It made me look at America in a very different way. It was really important in my education about racism, and also, you could dance to it.

“Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, Betty Wright, people like that.

“At the same time, I was listening to all the Jamaican reggae and ska, but it’s that interesting thing that white guys of my generation, even the skinheads, were listening to black music.

“That’s what music’s supposed to do, to bring people together. So yeah, I’m a soul boy.”

Finally, on the topic of Doctor Who, Chris addressed his former co-star, Billie Piper, becoming the new Doctor, as previously suggested.

While appearing at the Fan Expo convention in 2022, the 62-year-old had said: “I was saying to somebody today in the green room that Russell T Davies is coming back, right, and who’s going to be his Doctor?

READ MORE: Doctor Who and Harry Potter star to meet fans in Oxfordshire

Billie Piper and Christopher Eccleston as Rose Tyler and the Doctor. (Image: BBC / PA)

“I think it should be Billie Piper, actually. Catherine Tate’s great, but I think there’s your Doctor.

“And I’d like to see you all struggle with it. ‘How can she be the Doctor when she was an assistant?!’

“I like the idea of it blowing fuses in the canon, or whatever it’s called.”

Then last year, Ncuti’s Fifteenth Doctor regenerated into an incarnation played by Ms Piper, realising Chris’ own idea.

When asked if he really was a Time Lord after making the correct prediction, the actor laughed and joked: “Exactly, I’m a prophet!”

Reacting to his old co-star taking on the role that he previously held, Chris was utterly supportive and said: “Give it to Billie! Yeah, why not? Why not.”

You can catch Chris next in the new psychological thriller miniseries Unchosen, which premieres on Netflix on Tuesday, April 21.





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