they're left shocked in slovenia, beaten by the lowest ranked team in this season's european competitions — leaving their hopes of reaching, the knock out phase hanging by a thread. i will have the latest on storm arwen, set to come later today and over night and it's parts of eastern scotland, north—east england most susceptible to gusts of damaging wind. all the details coming up on breakfast. it's friday the 26th of november. our main story. several southern african countries have been placed on the travel red list, amid warnings over a new coronavirus variant of "serious concern". scientists fear it could be more transmissible and better able to evade vaccines — although only a small number of cases have so far been confirmed in africa and none in the uk. here's our medical editor, fergus walsh. the speed at which new and stringent travel restrictions have been imposed show just how seriously this variant is being taken. between five and 700 travellers arrive in the uk from south africa every day. that's where most of the cases have so far been identified and where it appears the variant may be driving a new wave of infection. it may be more transmissible than the delta variant. and the vaccines that we currently have may be less effective against it. now, to be clear, we have not detected any of this new variant in the uk at this point in time, but we've always been clear that we will take action to protect the progress that we have made. the new variant was formally identified only three days ago. genetic analysis shows it has twice the number of mutations as delta, the dominant variant worldwide, including around 30 changes to the spike protein which the virus uses to break into human cells. this makes it dramatically different from the original wuhan strain, on which all current vaccines are based. but crucially, there is no evidence yet the variant causes more severe disease or that it makes vaccines less effective. it will take two to three weeks before laboratory tests can show whether this is another defining moment in the pandemic, or a false alarm. fergus walsh, bbc news. we can now speak now to our correspondentjon donnison who's at heathrow airport this morning. there have been some immediate moves for those coming back to the uk from those countries in southern africa? the red list is back. in the next 20 minutes also, the last british airways and virgin media flights are due to touch down in heathrow. from 12 o'clock today, direct flights from six countries, africa, botswana, zimbabwe, lesotho, namibia will be suspended until four o'clock on sunday. that is to allow time to get the hotel quarantine system back in place and from 4am on sunday, anyone who has been in those six countries in the last ten days and flying back into england will have to go into hotel quarantine for ten days and take a pcr test on day two and day eight. and people who are not uk or ireland residents will not be able to come to the uk at all. a big blow for the airlines again. ba and virgin both saying to check with their website before you go to the airport and they will update their schedules. but coming up to christmas, south africa in particular, quite a popular destination and lots of people coming and going, they are going to have to change their plans. ian. have to change their plans. jon, thank you _ have to change their plans. jon, thank you very _ have to change their plans. jon, thank you very much. _ we'll be speaking to the transport secretary, grant shapps at 7:30 this morning. the prime minister has called on france to "take back" all people who reach the uk by crossing the english channel in small boats. it's one of a series proposals he set out in a letter to president macron last night, to avoid a repeat of wednesday's tragedy — where 27 people died. here's our political correspondent, nick eardley. this is france's north coast, the place from where thousands have set off for the uk shows in recent months. this week, that had tragic consequences. the death of at least 27 people in the channel on wednesday hasn't stopped them or making the dangerous journey. there were boats arriving in kent again yesterday, but in london and paris, politicians have pledged to step up their efforts to try to stop the crossings in future. last night, the prime minister wrote to france's president with proposals. boris johnson once our returns agreement, which would allow illegal migrants to be sent back to france quickly. the government believes that would put many off making the journey in the first place and help break the model of smuggling gangs. mrjohnson also formally called forjoint patrols featuring french and british personnel to man this vast coast. the prime minister said that could happen from as early as next week, but france is reluctant to agree, believing such a move would undermined its sovereignty. in a way we are guarding _ undermined its sovereignty. in a way we are guarding this _ undermined its sovereignty. in a way we are guarding this border - undermined its sovereignty. in a way we are guarding this border for - undermined its sovereignty. in a way we are guarding this border for the l we are guarding this border for the british. these men and women don't want to claim asylum in france, we have offered that and if they do, we have offered that and if they do, we have centres for them near calais and dunkirk. have centres for them near calais and dunkirk-_ have centres for them near calais and dunkirk. both sides have said the want and dunkirk. both sides have said they want to _ and dunkirk. both sides have said they want to do _ and dunkirk. both sides have said they want to do more _ and dunkirk. both sides have said they want to do more to - and dunkirk. both sides have said they want to do more to find - they want to do more to find solutions after this week's's events. but finding answers they agree on it has been difficult in the past. it won't be straightforward now. we'll be speaking to our reporter simonjones in dover injust a moment, but first let's get the latest from calais with our foreign correspondentjessica parker. jessica, what's the reaction been in france? this is a moment where politics is playing large in this process and we know the problems can continue, where are we with the dialogue? goad where are we with the dialogue? good mornin: , where are we with the dialogue? good morning. from — where are we with the dialogue? good morning. from a _ where are we with the dialogue? good morning, from a very _ where are we with the dialogue? (13mm morning, from a very blustery calais. brussels are going to meet with officials in france today to get the face—to—face discussions going and the home secretary, priti patel, is coming to meet her counterpart on sunday. but the question is, what can they agree? the prime minister overnight has said some suggestions, reiterating the idea ofjoint patrols along the coast. some think the french will find hard to swallow and agree some returns arrangements that fell away after the united kingdom left the european union. those of the suggestions from the british prime minister. we will have to see what kind of dialogue can lead to any results. it is worth mentioning, we are expecting a number of protest on are expecting a number of protest on a different issue, post—brexit fishing rights. we are expecting a number of fishermen to try and disrupt the number of ports. it's not clear how significant those protests will be but it is part of a relationship that has been strained between britain and france in recent months. but in terms of trying to find some sort of solution for this problem of people making this incredibly perilous crossing across the channel, politicians will be under real pressure to try and find some kind of solutions.— some kind of solutions. jessica, thank you _ some kind of solutions. jessica, thank you for— some kind of solutions. jessica, thank you for that. _ some kind of solutions. jessica, thank you for that. let's - some kind of solutions. jessica, thank you for that. let's go - some kind of solutions. jessica, thank you for that. let's go to l some kind of solutions. jessica, l thank you for that. let's go to our reporter simonjones in dover. i wonder if you can pick up many of the stories are this morning, some very harrowing stories related to the incident itself, the drownings and those who are thought to have been caught up in it, what is the latest? ,., . been caught up in it, what is the latest? . ., , , latest? the police are still trying to establish _ latest? the police are still trying to establish the _ latest? the police are still trying to establish the identities - latest? the police are still trying to establish the identities of- latest? the police are still trying to establish the identities of the | to establish the identities of the 27 people who died, but some of the human tragedies are emerging. the telegraph has spoken to an iraqi man, an iraqi kurd who is based in the uk. he believes his wife may have drowned on board the boat. he said he was tracking her progress using gps, but then after about four hours the signal simply disappeared. he said he found the smugglers who had organised the crossing and the smugglers said they had been unable to make any contact with the people on board the boat, so he is fearing the worst but left in a state of limbo. in terms of what is happening, borisjohnson writing happening, boris johnson writing that happening, borisjohnson writing that letter to emmanuel macron, he is saying that we need to do something radical or otherwise they are going to be more catastrophes out in the channel. he said people are questioning politicians, have we done to try to stop people losing their lives? the risks are continuing. yesterday morning a couple of boats arrived carrying 62 people. we know on wednesday, the day when 27 people lost their lives, 757 people managed to make it across the channel to the uk. it is windy in dover today as it is in calais. but the authorities are braced for more potential crossings, potentially when the weather gets better but the reality is, these crossings will continue unless there are some radical solutions. simon, thank you. a candlelit vigil— radical solutions. simon, thank you. a candlelit vigil has _ radical solutions. simon, thank you. a candlelit vigil has been _ radical solutions. simon, thank you. a candlelit vigil has been held - a candlelit vigil has been held close to where an 18—year—old woman has been left alive. 0ffers close to where an 18—year—old woman has been left alive. offers are searching for bobby mcleod has found a body, which has not yet been identified. a 24—year—old man with no known link has been arrested and remains in custody. the royal couege remains in custody. the royal college of emergency medicine has said a crisis in patient care this winter as any department struggles to cope. ambulances are forced to queue daily outside the majority of hospitals before they can unload patients. extra funding is being provided to boost staff numbers in key areas. a lavish ceremony has taken place in egypt, to mark the opening of the 3000—year—old �*avenue of sphinxes�* to the public. it's taken more than 70 years to excavate the statues, which had been buried along a three kilometre ancient walkway, connecting two of the city's greatest temples. hundreds of people performed at the event and the music was inspired by stories written on the walls of the temples in hieroglyphics. it looks like something out of a richard burton and elizabeth taylor film. you know, when she was cleopatra. very very dramatic. i find it quite mesmerising. now the weather with matt. we have strong winds expected across most areas of the uk but into tonight, part of eastern scotland, north—east england, damaging winds buffeting the coast, bringing up rough seas as well. there will be some travel disruption. to go with it, the wind is starting to pick up. nothing too strong yet but outbreaks of rain this morning spreading southwards and eastwards and cold air behind it as the wind picks up through the day. with it or we will see showers in northern ireland turning wintry blizzards over the scottish mountains as those winds really start to ramp up later on. some sunshine in between those areas, temperatures dropping, colder this afternoon but it is from the stage onwards those winds pick up. wherever you are across the uk, part of east anglia and the south—east, gales develop overnight but it is eastern scotland, north east england, the strongest of the winds and snow on higher ground and sleet and snow on higher ground and sleet and snow on higher ground and sleet and snow southwards as we go into tomorrow. the strong winds making for an icy field tomorrow and those winds could cause problems. i will have a full forecast in around half an hour. thank you, we stand warned. it's that time of the year again when bagging a bargain becomes top of the agenda for christmas shoppers — we're talking about black friday of course. maybe you're trying to avoid the robots around the warehouse packing the stuff up for christmas. we are waiting for one of them to crash into you, but you will have to explain why they won't. we are fascinated by these, lasers on the floor, whizzing around you, it is brilliant. good morning. the robots are doing a lot of the legwork at the boots warehouse this morning. they don't, i am told crash into each other and you might notice they have got a very clever way of stopping. i will let this one try and make its way past. they are full of stuff, 40,000 products here in the warehouse. they are seeing the busiest time of the year. it is, of course, black friday. there are 220 of these robots and they will normally do 27 miles around this place, it is that they. today and over the next couple of days we are expecting them to do about 35 miles, so it gives you a sense of how much legwork would normally be involved in picking and selecting orders. you will see the people here, they will pick the stuff off the shelf and give it to the robot and the robot will take it to be put into a box and sent out to all of us. all part of this online shopping revolution to make it easier and cheaper. a black friday weekend, an important one. let's look at the numbers. we are expected to spend more than £9 billion this weekend. we are told we are doing it a bit earlier, may be people taking things off their christmas list because they are worried about supply chain issues this year. it is notjust online doing well, high street, retail parks, all of those things expecting to see a rise in footfall, up by i9% on the same time last week. but interestingly, the proportion of shopping that we now do online hitting 27%, just over that. it is higher, sorry, it is lower than the peak of the pandemic when we were doing most stuff online, we couldn't get out to the shops. but it is higher than before the pandemic, suggesting maybe we have changed our shopping habits and getting more used to online shopping than before. the big question, if you are doing any shopping, are you doing it online or on the high street? we went out to manchester yesterday to ask a few people about their changing shopping habits. personally i probably shop online because i don't like crowds, - so ijust avoid it. can also get better deals. sometimes there's stuff online that isn't in the shops and sometimes there's stuff in shops that isn't online. i don't like shopping online. the material is not what it is, the sizes are not what it is. i love all independent shops, but they are dying out so it's like trying to spend with them. i've got three grandchildren - at the moment, three grandsons. the only problem is they are nine, ten and nearly 11 now _ and the presents they want are quite expensive so they don't get very - much because it costs a lot for one little thing. - so some shopping habits are changing. let's talk about this weekend and how important it is. this is the chief executive of boots. . ., , . ., boots. nice to see. nice to meet ou, boots. nice to see. nice to meet you. thank _ boots. nice to see. nice to meet you. thank you — boots. nice to see. nice to meet you, thank you for _ boots. nice to see. nice to meet you, thank you for coming - boots. nice to see. nice to meet you, thank you for coming up. i boots. nice to see. nice to meet i you, thank you for coming up. nice to be here — you, thank you for coming up. nice to be here to _ you, thank you for coming up. nice to be here to meet _ you, thank you for coming up. nice to be here to meet the _ you, thank you for coming up. nice to be here to meet the robots. this is a busy weekend, how does this compare with the rest the year? let me start by saying this we canjust me start by saying this we can just doesn't happen by itself. everyone of the 62,000 men and women working for boots are part of putting this in place. i want to say a massive thank you to everybody from the stores to the warehouses, marketing and commercial, all involved in making this happen. it is a gargantuan effort that starts in january. i gargantuan effort that starts in janua . ., ., ., ~ gargantuan effort that starts in janua . ., ., ., ,, ., gargantuan effort that starts in janua . ., ., ., ~',, january. i want to talk about some ofthe january. i want to talk about some of the planning. — january. i want to talk about some of the planning, very _ january. i want to talk about some of the planning, very high-tech i january. i want to talk about some l of the planning, very high-tech and of the planning, very high—tech and a lot of the robots doing a lot of the work but would they need to be getting the to from somewhere, how do you plan for this weekend? it starts injanuary when do you plan for this weekend? it starts in january when the team stop starts injanuary when the team stop thinking about what would be like people to buy a christmas, what do we think they are going to want to give each other to make them feel special? that range is reviewed for a couple of months and then we start making it in china and all over the world. then it gets brought in in july, august and generally speaking, this year, it has been quite interesting. by the time we come around to black friday, hopefully all the pieces have fallen into place and every single last gift is in the stores and we are ready to go today. in the stores and we are ready to go toda . ., , ., in the stores and we are ready to go toda . . , . ., in the stores and we are ready to go toda . ., . ., , today. has it fallen into place? there has _ today. has it fallen into place? there has been _ today. has it fallen into place? there has been a _ today. has it fallen into place? there has been a lot _ today. has it fallen into place? there has been a lot of - today. has it fallen into place? | there has been a lot of debate, today. has it fallen into place? - there has been a lot of debate, can we get the stuff we need? there is a lot of supply chain problems, delays in shipping, particularly from places like china, do you have everything you want to sell? touch wood, as everything you want to sell? touch wood. as of _ everything you want to sell? touch wood, as of this _ everything you want to sell? touch wood, as of this money, _ everything you want to sell? touch wood, as of this money, 9996 - everything you want to sell? touch wood, as of this money, 99% of. everything you want to sell? touch | wood, as of this money, 99% of the things we hoped would be in the shops, are in the shops. that is better actually than a lot of our competition. that is testament to the teams in our supply chain working up and down the country to make that happen. but it has been quite squeaky at times. my make that happen. but it has been quite squeaky at times.— make that happen. but it has been quite squeaky at times. my bet. what are --eole quite squeaky at times. my bet. what are people buying? — quite squeaky at times. my bet. what are people buying? you _ quite squeaky at times. my bet. what are people buying? you have - quite squeaky at times. my bet. what are people buying? you have had - quite squeaky at times. my bet. what are people buying? you have had to l are people buying? you have had to take a punt early in the year, predict what people want and get those early orders on. thy, predict what people want and get those early orders on. fit. lot predict what people want and get those early orders on.— predict what people want and get those early orders on. a lot of big thins, those early orders on. a lot of big things, fragrance, _ those early orders on. a lot of big things, fragrance, you _ those early orders on. a lot of big things, fragrance, you would - those early orders on. a lot of big l things, fragrance, you would expect that to be big, it is bigger than we expected this year. a of people buying fragrances, lots of new juices. a bit like film releases, new perfume that didn't come out last year are coming out this year. i have been surprised by one or two products. there is a pig source, brussel sprouts ketchup, which is surprisingly nice which is selling incredibly well. we have 14,000 offers today, so a that range people are buying really well. in offers today, so a that range people are buying really well.— are buying really well. in the introduction _ are buying really well. in the introduction i _ are buying really well. in the introduction i was _ are buying really well. in the introduction i was talking - are buying really well. in the i introduction i was talking about the mix between high street and online. a bit you have a bit of both, talk to me about how our habits are changing, are we doing much more online these days?— online these days? during the andemic online these days? during the pandemic you _ online these days? during the pandemic you can _ online these days? during the pandemic you can imagine i online these days? during the i pandemic you can imagine online is everything, our big challenge then was making sure we could get the parcels out to our customers. but this year, what we are seeing is people are shopping how i think we will all shop in the future, let's go to stores, let's smell the perfume and tried the skin cream and look at the bottles and some people are buying there and then and some people are going home and buying online. irate people are going home and buying online. ~ ., online. we love it either way. in our online. we love it either way. in your previous — online. we love it either way. in your previous job, _ online. we love it either way. in your previous job, even - online. we love it either way. in your previous job, even the i online. we love it either way. in | your previous job, even the boss online. we love it either way. in i your previous job, even the boss of a big electrical retailer, high street retailer, i wonder how black friday has changed? it used to be about tvs, electrical gadgets and that sort of thing and now we are at boots talking about selling make—up on black friday, it has changed? in some ways it hasn't changed. black friday is all about taking the projects we have got a making incredibly good bargain so people can get the things they love. it doesn't matter if it is a tv or an incredibly new fancy beauty skin tack, a favourite of mine! it is the same fundamental motivation, getting something you love for a price which is great. by the way, you can get a dyson hair dry in either place, so i feel very comfortable there. really nice to see — feel very comfortable there. really nice to see you. _ feel very comfortable there. really nice to see you. we _ feel very comfortable there. really nice to see you. we are _ feel very comfortable there. really nice to see you. we are going i feel very comfortable there. really nice to see you. we are going to i feel very comfortable there. really | nice to see you. we are going to be here all morning and i will show you around this place, it is absolutely huge. the team have told me they have named it one of these robots, then. my challenge is to find him and there are 220 of them. —— ben. they are carrying on their work and we will see if we can find ben later. does it not offend you the robots remind them of you? they don't remind them, theyjust named one. useful, practical, helpful, all of the things you would apply to me. it really is fascinating. just get your cameraman to look down at one of those aisles. i find it compelling. they are very clever, they haven't crashed into anyone. it is extraordinary, isn't it. yet. indeed. england could become the first country in the world to introduce legislation, which would mean better support for people with down syndrome. mps will debate the proposed bill in the commons later today. if passed, it would mean that public bodies like councils, schools and job centres would be required to specifically recognise the needs of people with the condition. 0ur disability affairs correspondent nikki fox reports. pull, pull, pull. tom is pumping iron at the gym. yeah, one more. the 17—year—old has down syndrome. he is working towards a career as a fitness instructor, and he's already whipping me into shape. is that a cheating sit—up? yeah. what if i let go with my hands? yes, that's better. is that better? yes. eight, nice, tom, nine, last one. do you feel like you've got a lot fitter? yes, i get fit all the time. in my muscles, in my stomach, so it's been, like, it's been really good, really. but being a lean, mean fighting machine is not all tom wants from life. what is your dream, tom? i want to be a fitness coach, and i want to get a wife. a baby, a dog, a beard, and management, and a new flat. in no particular order! yes, absolutely. at one stage he wanted to ride a motorbike, which i hope he's dropped. so he's keen to do those things. i'm a huge believer in, it's about opportunities. and that's what, as a parent, that's what we try and provide any child. but i think for the child with down syndrome, you have to work harder. 0k, do you want a slice of cake, tom? yes. here we go. the aim of the bill is to make life easier for thousands of people like tom. are you doing any sports? it will ensure they get the right support when it comes to education, employment, health and social care. for too long, people have very much been marginalised from society and really there's been tremendous stigma towards people with down syndrome. i think the bill isjust, you know, it's the beginning. it's not going to solve everything overnight, but it will at least recognise people with down syndrome and i'm particularly excited that people with down syndrome will actually have an opportunity, have a platform to be heard at westminster. given all the arguments around down syndrome, which, as you know, are complex, i think to get recognition in the law for the first time is important in itself. there's been such an incredible level of support, i've now got support from all parties in the house of commons, and let me say at the moment that's a fairly rare thing to get. are you surprised it's taken this long, liam? a bit. but then it's not happened anywhere at all. in fact, if we pass this bill into law, we will be the first country in the world. the reason that i fell in love with him is because he's absolutely gorgeous. heidi and james have been married for over a year. they've got life sussed. i've got severaljobs. so i work at british heart foundation. i'm volunteering for coventry city of culture. and i also work in the cafe on friday. heidi is a leading campaigner for people with down syndrome. she is backing the bill because she knows just how important it is. it's all about making it easier for people with down syndrome. that's all we want, we want easy lives for them. from the start of their life to the end of their life. and that's what i want forjames, and for anyone. i don't want you to see us as a problem, i want you to see us as heidi. because our syndrome doesn't define us. i'm heidi, i'm not down syndrome. i'm heidi. what would you hope for, for other people with down syndrome in the future? that they would work hard, they'd get married and enjoy life. it is estimated there are around 47,000 people with down syndrome in the uk. thanks, tom! as it stands, the bill only applies to england, but it's hoped if it's passed, other nations will follow suit. well done! nikki fox, bbc news. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm alison earle. tube passengers are facing major disruption this morning as drivers on five lines have gone on strike. the walkout by members of the rmt union is over changes to the roster, linked to the planned restart of the night tube this weekend. it means there's little or no service, on the central, jubilee, northern, piccadilly and victoria lines. transport for london are advising people to check before travelling. the city of london police is warning us to take extra care when shopping online. data from the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime shows thatjust over 28,000 shoppers were conned out of their money when buying on websites over the christmas period last year. the air ambulance across the south east believe they've been able to identify the so—called county lines of drugs gangs coming out of london. they've been mapping the 300 stabbings they've attended over the past six years. those behind the study say that it could be possible to work out crime hotspots. it's particularly important for us here at the air ambulance because we do respond at night. we are one of the few charity air ambulances to fly at night. and of course, in our patch, certainly across kent in particular, you can be a long way from help if you are stabbed. for many dance fans it wouldn't be christmas without the nutcracker. well, this year it's returning to london's west end. the royal ballet were forced to cancel most of their festive performances 12 months ago due to covid restriction. but they're back with a reworked version of the christmassy tale. it runs at the royal opera house, over 31 days. travel now this is how tfl services are looking right now. central, jubilee, northern, piccadilly and victoria lines are all being affected by strike action. a limited service is running in places. the waterloo and city line is also suspended. a good service on all other lines. 0nto the weather now with elizabeth rizzini. hello, good morning. storm arwen is set to bring us some very unsettled conditions over the next couple of days, strengthening winds particularly on saturday, some showers and some of those showers could turn out to be a bit wintry over the higher ground at times. we are staying in that cold air as we head through the rest of the week. it was cold and frosty last night and there will be clear skies at first, but we have now got more cloud edging down from the north—west with this weather system that will eventually pull its way out into the north sea. there are some showers around this morning, some of those showers will merge together to form what will feel like longer spells of rain. but also some brighter spells through the afternoon, just feeling bitterly cold despite the fact that temperatures are slightly higher than they were yesterday. and there is a blustery north—westerly wind blowing, some really strong gusty winds for a time and then the winds will lighten somewhat as we head into the evening. 0vernight tonight, some of those showers could possibly turn out to be a bit wintry over higher ground at times. some sleet, even a bit of fleeting snow, it will turn back into rain tomorrow morning. on saturday, a very windy day indeed. gusts of wind of around 45 to even 50 miles an hour, further showers and feeling very cold. i'm back with the latest from the bbc london newsroom in half an hour. plenty more on our website at the usual address. now though it's back to naga and charlie. hello, this is breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. coming up on breakfast this morning. 30 years after the death of one of world's most loved musicians, we'll discuss a new documentary about freddie mercury's final days. two icons of the stage and screen, felicity kendal and robert lindsay, willjoin us, as they star in the cinematic release of the classic musical anything goes. and the man behind some of the world's biggest pop songs, nile rodgers will tell us why he's auctioning off his cars, guitars and other personal possessions. back to our main now and the variant of "serious concern" that has been identified in in south africa, hong kong and botswana. we're nowjoined by the shadow home secretary, nick thomas—symonds. good morning. thank you for your time is money. we know that the travel restrictions have been brought in, we know there is genuine concern about this new variant. can you tell us what you make of the government's response?- you tell us what you make of the government's response? firstly, good to 'oin ou. government's response? firstly, good to join you- the _ government's response? firstly, good to join you. the news _ government's response? firstly, good to join you. the news of— government's response? firstly, good to join you. the news of the _ government's response? firstly, good to join you. the news of the new i to join you. the news of the new variant is extremely concerning. i do welcome swift action. i know the government is adding these six south african countries to the red list. that is very much the step that needs to be taken. i have been very critical in the past where i am afraid the government has been too slow in terms of putting restrictions in place, and indeed those six countries where people will be subject to hotel quarantine, it took significant pressure for the government to even introduce hotel quarantine at all. this swift action, i am quarantine at all. this swift action, iam pleased quarantine at all. this swift action, i am pleased to see it but we do need to see as well the government making clear what it's going to do in terms of the testing and tracing operation going forward, and tracing operation going forward, andindeed and tracing operation going forward, and indeed what it will be doing in terms of genomic sequencing on this variant. iflan terms of genomic sequencing on this variant. ., . ., , terms of genomic sequencing on this variant. . . ., , ., variant. can i clarify one thing with you? _ variant. can i clarify one thing with you? what _ variant. can i clarify one thing with you? what we _ variant. can i clarify one thing with you? what we know, i variant. can i clarify one thingj with you? what we know, and variant. can i clarify one thing i with you? what we know, and we variant. can i clarify one thing - with you? what we know, and we will find out more during the programme this morning, we are speaking to grant shapps, we understand that there will be flights arriving from south africa up until midday today. those people will arrive in various airports, probably heathrow, possibly gatwick, and then they will be allowed to go freely to do whatever they wish to do. the kick in point for the quarantine is midday. should those people be allowed to, however hard it is on those individuals, should they be allowed to come and have we learned the lesson, you talk about swift reaction, would you have wanted those people kept in quarantine even as they arrived this morning? $5 as they arrived this morning? is home secretary, i would have been saying to my officials that i want that deadline in place as quickly as is practically possible. i'm not privy to the advice that has been given as to whether day—to—day was actually —— whether midday today was the earliest possible, but whatever the earliest possible, but whatever the earliest possible, but whatever the earliest time practically is, thatis the earliest time practically is, that is what has to be. i listened carefully to the health secretary last night who said that of course, those people arriving have to take pcr tests, urging them to be responsible and do that. i do think as well the government needs to reassure that it has a plan going forward. the health secretary last night said that none of this variant had been detected here in the united kingdom at this stage. but there must be a plan in place for that eventuality. to must be a plan in place for that eventuality-— must be a plan in place for that eventuality. to be clear, you are comfortable _ eventuality. to be clear, you are comfortable with _ eventuality. to be clear, you are comfortable with the _ eventuality. to be clear, you are comfortable with the fact - eventuality. to be clear, you are comfortable with the fact that i eventuality. to be clear, you are i comfortable with the fact that there will be flights arriving from that place, we know there is a problem, but people will be allowed out in this interim period, from this morning until midday, you are comfortable with that? i’m morning until midday, you are comfortable with that? i'm not sa in: comfortable with that? i'm not saying uncomfortable - comfortable with that? i'm not saying uncomfortable with i comfortable with that? i'm not saying uncomfortable with it, i comfortable with that? i'm not l saying uncomfortable with it, at what i'm saying is that this deadline had to be put in place as soon is it is practically possible. the government is saying midday, that might be the place. whatever that might be the place. whatever that time was, however quickly we could get these restrictions in place, that is what had to be done. i want to ask you about the migrant crisis and the awful events in the channel. we know that borisjohnson has come up with a five step plan he has come up with a five step plan he has sent to the french authorities. are there specifics that you have particular issues with or indeed agree with? a lot of people saying, this is a time where there should be agreement across parties given the scale of what is happening. mr; agreement across parties given the scale of what is happening. my issue is not so much _ scale of what is happening. my issue is not so much disagreement - scale of what is happening. my issue is not so much disagreement with i is not so much disagreement with particular issues, my issue is, why these things have not been done before. i mean, reading the letter, which is talking about things like a more effective deal with the french authorities, joint working with other countries to tackle people smuggling, to have to talk about safe returns, these things have been, i have been talking about them for months. the letter struck me, why hasn't this been done already, but secondly, despite the home secretary in parliament this week talking about the importance of safe and legal roots, the letter does not even mention safe and legal routes, which are an essential part of the solution as well.— which are an essential part of the solution as well. thank you for your time this morning, _ solution as well. thank you for your time this morning, nick _ time this morning, nick thomas—symonds, shadow home secretary. we will be speaking to the transport secretary grant shapps at 7:30am to get more details on the practicalities of some of the red list details that we will find out. as we've been hearing, the red travel list is back, with new travel restrictions for six south african countries. we can speak now to the independent�*s travel editor, simon calder. let's go through the practicalities of what is happening. so today there is a deadline, midday.— is a deadline, midday. there is, and alread , if is a deadline, midday. there is, and already. if you _ is a deadline, midday. there is, and already, if you are _ is a deadline, midday. there is, and already, if you are at _ is a deadline, midday. there is, and already, if you are at heathrow, i already, if you are at heathrow, then virgin atlantic flight 450 from johannesburg hasjust then virgin atlantic flight 450 from johannesburg has just pulled then virgin atlantic flight 450 from johannesburg hasjust pulled up at the gate. the lucky passengers on board that flight, they will see themselves as lucky, will simply go through normal immigration process and then go home. in about an hour, you get two british airways run from johannesburg and one from cape town, also touching down. before they —— because they are in before the deadline, those people have no obligation to do anything. then you have this odd time between 12 noon today and 4am on sunday, when there is a complete flight ban. so lots of people in south africa now who thought they were flying out today to come to the uk, those flights will be cancelled, they will be able to push them forward and travel overnight on saturday. by the time they land, they will be going straight into ten at night in hotel quarantine which will cost them over £2000, if they are solo travellers. so very, very serious, back on red list territory. the only flights are from south africa, but this also affects botswana, east swati and namibia, and lesotho. ii affects botswana, east swati and namibia, and lesotho. if someone is in an of namibia, and lesotho. if someone is in any of those _ namibia, and lesotho. if someone is in any of those countries _ namibia, and lesotho. if someone is in any of those countries at - namibia, and lesotho. if someone is in any of those countries at any i in any of those countries at any moment in time —— at this moment in time, have they got any support in terms of getting back before the deadline, before sunday? it is physically _ deadline, before sunday? it s physically impossible for anybody to get back before the 12 noon deadline today, those three flights are the only ones coming out of south africa arriving before noon. what some people are going to be doing is getting into the uk before 4am on sunday. if they do that, and they will find, sorry, the wind hasjust picked up and knocked the lighting rig! if they get in before 4am on sunday, then they can go home and self isolate for ten days. and they have to take two nhs pcr tests but they are not obliged to pay thousands of pounds going to hotel quarantine. so some people will make that decision. 50 quarantine. so some people will make that decision-— that decision. so what help can they aet from that decision. so what help can they get from travel _ that decision. so what help can they get from travel insurers _ that decision. so what help can they get from travel insurers or- get from travel insurers or airlines?— get from travel insurers or airlines? . �* ., ., , , airlines? that, i'm afraid, is very unclear. some _ airlines? that, i'm afraid, is very unclear. some people _ airlines? that, i'm afraid, is very unclear. some people may- airlines? that, i'm afraid, is very unclear. some people may have| airlines? that, i'm afraid, is very- unclear. some people may have really gold—plated insurance which says, if your country suddenly goes red list, we will pay for your hotel quarantine. 0perators are going to be very flexible in terms of allowing people to postpone trips back. there will be some people who will say, i'm going to go and stay in a third country for ten days and launder my south african stasis which is perfectly legal, it is all entirely up to people. if you are booked to travel, and there will be tens of thousands of people who were looking forward to an escape, i'm afraid it's a difficult one. if you have booked a flight only and the flight goes ahead, you will not get your money back but you might be able to postpone it. if you have a proper package holiday booked, you should get that fully refunded. from the travel industry point of view, what a disaster. this isjust d ja vu, all over again, as they say. it takes us back almost a year to when south africa and the beta variant led to a ban from south africa. it has only been off of the red list for the past six weeks or so. always informative — for the past six weeks or so. always informative talking _ for the past six weeks or so. always informative talking to _ for the past six weeks or so. always informative talking to you. - for the past six weeks or so. always informative talking to you. thank i informative talking to you. thank thank you for surviving the gales and the falling lights! we will be talking to the transport secretary grant shapps at 6:30am. ? chris 7:30am. �* ., 7:30am. and we will get the weather from matt, looks _ 7:30am. and we will get the weather from matt, looks like _ 7:30am. and we will get the weather from matt, looks like it _ 7:30am. and we will get the weather from matt, looks like it will- 7:30am. and we will get the weather from matt, looks like it will be i from matt, looks like it will be stormy. from matt, looks like it will be storm . ., ., , from matt, looks like it will be storm . ., . , ., stormy. you are sitting to me explaining — stormy. you are sitting to me explaining how _ stormy. you are sitting to me explaining how the _ stormy. you are sitting to me explaining how the english i stormy. you are sitting to me i explaining how the english team stormy. you are sitting to me - explaining how the english team were playing the less experienced or less challenging teams. so the implication... the implication being that they might have a slightly easier run through when it comes to the champions league. 0n the champions league. on paper, but not from spurs, you get comments from former players like shocking, disgraceful. the manager and the —— antonio conte said he could not speak to his players, he was speechless. "we have to be better in everything, everything, everything". that's what antonio conte had to say after his tottenham side lost 2—1 to ns mura, the lowest ranked team in the europa conference league, to leave their hopes of qualifying to the next stage hanging by a thread. spurs were down to 10—men and had equalised in the second half through harry kane, but the slovenian side scored with the last kick of the game to earn the three points having lost all four previous games in this, the 3rd tier of european club football. but he said to the press that he did not like what happened tonight. no such problems for west ham in the next level up, the europa league. they've won their group, heading into the last 16 in style, after a 2—0 win at rapid vienna. andree yarmolenko opened the scoring with his first west ham goal of the season. captain mark noble added a second. the hammers win their group with a game to spare. the match was played behind closed doors, due to the covid lockdown in austria. leicester city went from bottom to top of their group with a 3—1 win over legia warsaw. james maddison with the second goal. they're still likely to need to win their final game in napoli to go through to the next stage. a calamitous pass gifted alfredo morelos his second goal as rangers beat sparta prague 2—0 at ibrox to advance through to the knockout stages in giovanni van bronkhorst�*s first game as new manager. but celtic�*s europa league dream is over after they lost 3—2 to bayer leverkusen in germany. mousa diabbi scored leverkusen's winner. they top the group. celtic will drop down to the europa conference league. now could manchester united follow the lead of liverpoool and chelsea where german managers have worked wonders? united are now close to appointing ralf rangnick as interim manager on a six—month contract following the departure of 0le gunnar solsjkaer on sunday. united have agreed terms with the 63—year—old german but not with lokomotiv moscow, where he is head of sports and development. rangnick won the german cup with schalke in 2011, and took rb leipzig to the final, 8 years later. on a crazy night of goals, in women's world cup qualifiers, belguim scored 19 while northern ireland hammered north macedonia 11—0 in skopje. rachel furness equalled david healy�*s record of 36 goals for northern ireland with a hat—trick, and simone magill netted four as they moved level on points with austria in second place in group d. the austrians play england tomorrow. with the ashes less than two weeks away, australia have announced batsman tim paine will be taking a break from all forms of cricket for an indefinite period of time due to concerns over his mental health. paine resigned as captain last week after details of a historical investigation into texts to a female colleague were revealed but he had remained in the squad. however, he's decided now to step away from the sport with paine's manager saying they are "extremely concerned for his and his wife's well—being". pat cummins will replace paine as captain for the ashes series, which starts on december 8th. a break for tim a breakfor tim paine, a breakfortim paine, he was a breakfor tim paine, he was exonerated by cricket australia after the investigation, saying he had not breached any code of conduct. there has been a row about the way he has been treated by cricket australia. he is now taking some time out. at the ashes are less than two weeks. some time out. at the ashes are less than two weeks-— men who boxed as amateurs at an young age are at risk of developing early onset dementia and cognitive impairment. a study by cardiff university, followed thousands of men over 35 years, and found those that boxed, were at least twice as likely to have alzheimer's disease. 0ur wales correspondent, tomos morgan has the story. from grandfather to grandchild. peter flanagan is passing on a sport that's run deep in his family. my trainer said, if you get a draw against a scouser in liverpool, he is going to win. but not long ago, he started to notice little things were being forgotten in daily life. while i was driving in one day, just didn't have a clue where i was, where i was going, or anything. did those episodes scare you at all? to a certain extent, yeah. after being convinced by the family, he saw a doctor and was diagnosed with dementia four years ago. the consultant adamant that boxing had played a part in scarring his brain. what was it like, though, when you did get that diagnosis? sorry. i could have been sat around feeling sorry for myself, and i would have just demised really, really quickly. but i didn't. ijust wanted to be positive. a new peer—reviewed study, seen exclusively by the bbc, is believed to be one of the first look at the long—term effects of amateur boxing on the brain. published in the clinical journal of sports medicine, the study followed 2,500 men over a 35 year period. their findings showed that of those who boxed as amateurs earlier in life, they were twice as likely to have alzheimer's—like cognitive impairment and they showed earlier signs of onset dementia compared with those that hadn't boxed. symptoms appear to start up to eight years earlier in the men who have boxed, compared to the men who have never boxed. an average of five years, but up to eight years earlier. it's a mixed bag when it comes to whether those in this boxing club near pontypridd worry about the potential consequences of the sport. it does make you worried. in my first fight without a head guard, i had a big cut under my eye. i thought, that's a bit serious. no, if you have worries about getting hit, you wouldn't do it. over the years, changes have been made to make the sport safer. the science on head guards has changed at senior level. bigger, more padded gloves are used, and gyms' training has improved according to peter. but nevertheless, he still believes that more could be done to mitigate the potential long—term damage. i think head shots in sparring should be limited. in training? in training. in a statement, the aiba, the international boxing association for amateur boxing said that its priority has always been the health and wellbeing of boxers. research is currently undergoing into impact loads to the head in training and competition, and any changes to regulation on the sparring would be grounded in robust research and based on its commitment to boxers and those who support them. every day, i'm convincing myself that i'm strong and doing it... a positive mental attitude, though, isn't it? yeah, definitely. training is a key part of keeping peter on track. as is spending as much time as possible with his 11 grandchildren. in order to defend himself from whatever is next. i'm training to fight dementia like i trained to fight in boxing. tomos morgan, bbc news. here's matt with a look at this morning's weather. we will be speaking to the boxer josh warrington about this and the concerns about the industry is welcome and the protections afforded to those who do take up boxing, so we will have an in—depth look at that at about half past eight. it’s that at about half past eight. it's reall that at about half past eight. it�*s really interesting, we have seen this and many other sports, more studies are done, more concerns are raised, it has happened in rugby union and league when they talk about impact sports and the risks and that worries, and there is more and that worries, and there is more and more evidence. it's very good, and more evidence. it's very good, and you can see the emotion also, its also very raw, in those people it's also very raw, in those people who feel the effects themselves. we will have more later. you who feel the effects themselves. we will have more later.— will have more later. you need to be listenin: will have more later. you need to be listening to — will have more later. you need to be listening to #thebigbreakfast - will have more later. you need to be listening to #thebigbreakfast this i listening to #thebigbreakfast this money, as carol warned us, wintry showers, worse than wintry showers, there is a bit of everything. yes, some wild weather. storm arwen will be with us. wintry weather will feature, and across some of the hills particularly in the north, a covering of snow and lizard conditions. let's take a look at the chart for storm arwen, strong winds on the western side, some of the strongest winds will be with you into tomorrow. there will be a blustery day. a box of rain in the rumble of thunder to go with it. colder air pushing in in the wake of the front, so rain across england and wales, sunshine developing, a scattering of showers, they turn wintry in northern ireland. increasingly to sleet and snow eventas no —— sea level in scotland and then blizzard is developing on the hills. it will be a cold feeling day, temperatures dropping to the day, temperatures dropping to the day as the wind started to pick up. this evening and overnight, winds gusting, 65 to 75 miles an hour, a risk of damage to property and a risk of damage to property and a risk to life. some lively seas around the coasts, travel disruption into tomorrow morning. strong winds developing through the country tonight into tomorrow, rain, sleet and snow pushing south, mainly over the hills for england and wales. a cold night. it is saturday, the wind will be the main feature across the uk. widespread gales, strongest of the winds down the eastern coasts. rain, sleet and snow in eastern parts of england, a mixture of sunshine and wintry showers towards the west. the wind is easing only later in the day and it will be a cold feeling day as well. temperatures only a few degrees above freezing and when the wind chill it will feel sub zero. —— the wind—chill it will feel sub zero. it is a day to stay indoors! thank you very much. what's the link between sister sledge, david bowie and madonna? i like it when you ask these questions, what is the answer? well, i can tell questions, what is the answer? well, i can tell you- — well, aside from being global icons, they were also all produced by nile rodgers. he is the connection! why are we talking about that? he's responsible for some of the biggest hits of the last 50 years and now he's decided to auction off some of his most prized possessions to help thousands of teenagers follow in his footsteps. he's been speaking to our media editor, amol rajan. so, this guitar, i remember playing this on madonna, on... likea virgin? no, no, a song called dress you up. # gonna dress you up in my love... # in my love # from your head down to your toes # i had already laid down a little guitar part on a new telecaster. so i always try and marry two types of guitar that are similar but... subtly different. correcto. is that a signature nile rodgers technique? that's your thing? that's a signature technique. i do it all the time. obviously, this is before she becomes a mega selling, super global icon. did you honestly have a sense early on that she was going to be someone who had that magic dust? yes, definitely. # oh yeah # from your head down to your toes # the guitar called the hit maker is an unusually sounding strat. it doesn't sound like any other stratocaster on the planet. after a while, you get afraid that something is going to happen to your guitar. because it's the only one that sounds like that. so what i did was, i went to fender and i said, can you make me a replica of my guitar that's exactly the same? if you like the hit maker, you'll love this. because it really does sound very, very, very good. not the same, but close. # freak out # nile, don't drop this! how do you feel auctioning all of this stuff, all of this musical history, all of this creative energy? well, let me put it to you like this. there's 162 more of these things! and they're all amazing, and they all have great stories. why would you get rid of them? because if this all works out the way i expect it to work out, that means that i could help, like, hundreds more kids. i mean, right now, we have, now, the we are family foundation, we have at least 400 or 500 kids that we are working with, we come up with new programmes every year. but these things cost a lot of money. i mean, you know, to put on workshops that we do, to find the mentors that we find, to have the kids travel from countries far and wide. it costs money. yeah. # freak out! cheering the only problem i have with that report is that there was not more music. it should have been much longer with loads more brilliant music. ~ ., , longer with loads more brilliant music. . . , ., , longer with loads more brilliant music. . , ., , , , music. what is lovely is, every instrument. — music. what is lovely is, every instrument, all— music. what is lovely is, every instrument, all of _ music. what is lovely is, every instrument, all of the - music. what is lovely is, every instrument, all of the stuff, i music. what is lovely is, every i instrument, all of the stuff, there is a story attached to everyone. i remember that one.— is a story attached to everyone. i remember that one. when he can drop names, it remember that one. when he can drop names. it is — remember that one. when he can drop names. it is so — remember that one. when he can drop names, it is so natural— remember that one. when he can drop names, it is so natural because - remember that one. when he can drop names, it is so natural because he i names, it is so natural because he has worked with all of the brilliant artist! we will be back with the headlines. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm alison earle. tube passengers are facing major disruption this morning as drivers on five lines have gone on strike. the action by members of the rmt union, is over changes to their roster — linked to the restart of the night tube this weekend. it means there's little or no service, on the central, jubilee, northern, piccadilly and victoria lines. further walk—outs are planned in the coming weeks. the city of london police, is warning us to take extra care when shopping online over black friday. data from the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime shows thatjust over 28,000 people were conned out of their money when buying on websites during the christmas period last year. the advice is to choose carefully where you shop. the air ambulance across the south east believe they've been able to identify the so—called county lines of drugs gangs coming out of london. they've been mapping the 300 stabbings they've attended over the past six years. those behind the study say it could be possible to work out crime hotspots. it's particularly important for us here at the air ambulance because we do respond at night. we are one of the few charity air ambulances to fly at night. and of course, in our patch, certainly across kent in particular, you can be a long way from help if you are stabbed. for many dance fans it wouldn't be christmas without the nutcracker. well this year it's returning to london's west end. the royal ballet were forced to cancel most of their festive performances 12 months ago due to covid restrictions. but they're back with a new version of the christmassy tale. it runs at the royal opera house, over 31 days. travel now... central, jubilee, northern, piccadilly and victoria lines are all being affected by strike action. a limited service is running in places. the waterloo & city line is also suspended. a good service on all other lines. weather now with elizabeth. hello, good morning. storm arwen is set to bring us some very unsettled conditions over the next couple of days, strengthening winds particularly on saturday, some showers and some of those showers could turn out to be a bit wintry over the higher ground at times. we are staying in that cold air as we head through the rest of the week. it was cold and frosty last night and there will be clear skies at first, but we have now got more cloud edging down from the north—west with this weather system that will eventually pull its way out into the north sea. there are some showers around this morning, some of those showers will merge together to form what will feel like longer spells of rain. but also some brighter spells through the afternoon, just feeling bitterly cold despite the fact that temperatures are slightly higher than they were yesterday. and there is a blustery north—westerly wind blowing, some really strong gusty winds for a time and then the winds will lighten somewhat as we head into the evening. 0vernight tonight, some of those showers could possibly turn out to be a bit wintry over higher ground at times. some sleet, even a bit of fleeting snow, it will turn back into rain tomorrow morning. on saturday, a very windy day indeed. gusts of wind of around 45 to even 50 miles an hour, further showers and feeling very cold. i'm back with the latest from the bbc london newsroom in half an hour. plenty more on our website at the usual address. now though, it's back to breakfast. good morning welcome to breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. 0ur headlines today: concern from the uk government as a new varient of coronavirus is disovered in south africa. it may be more transmissible than the delta variant and the vaccines that we currently have may be less effective against it. flights from six african countries are suspended with immediate effect — travellers from the region face ten days of strict quarantine. reports that france has cancelled meetings on the channel migrant crisis — after the prime minister called on france to take back people who cross to the uk. a vigil is held in plymouth for bobbi—anne mcleod — the 18—year—old victim of a suspected murder, who went missing at the weekend. an embarrassing night for spurs, they're left shocked in slovenia, beaten by the lowest ranked team in this season's european competitions — leaving their hopes of reaching, the knock out phase hanging by a thread. and i will have the latest on the storm bringing widespread gales across the country today, tonight and later. all the details coming up here on breakfast. it's friday the 26th of november. our main story. several southern african countries have been placed on the travel red list, amid warnings over a new coronavirus variant of "serious concern". there are fears it could be more transmissible and make vaccines less effective — although scientists say it could take weeks to know for sure. so far only a small number of cases have so far been confirmed in africa and none in the uk. south africa has said it is concerned that the decision may have been "rushed" and will try to persuade the uk government to reconsider. here's our medical editor, fergus walsh. the speed at which new and stringent travel restrictions have been imposed show just how seriously this variant is being taken. between five and 700 travellers arrive in the uk from south africa every day. that's where most of the cases have so far been identified and where it appears the variant may be driving a new wave of infection. it may be more transmissible than the delta variant. and the vaccines that we currently have may be less effective against it. now, to be clear, we have not detected any of this new variant in the uk at this point in time, but we've always been clear that we will take action to protect the progress that we have made. the new variant was formally identified only three days ago. genetic analysis shows it has twice the number of mutations as delta, the dominant variant worldwide, including around 30 changes to the spike protein which the virus uses to break into human cells. this makes it dramatically different from the original wuhan strain, on which all current vaccines are based. but crucially, there is no evidence yet the variant causes more severe disease or that it makes vaccines less effective. it will take two to three weeks before laboratory tests can show whether this is another defining moment in the pandemic, or a false alarm. fergus walsh, bbc news. we can now speak now to our correspondentjon donnison who's at heathrow airport this morning. good morning. there will be flights coming into the uk this morning and we understand there is a 12 o'clock deadline for those flights, how will this work in practice? that deadline for those flights, how will this work in practice?— this work in practice? that is riaht, this work in practice? that is right. the — this work in practice? that is right, the last _ this work in practice? that is right, the last virgin - this work in practice? that is right, the last virgin flight i this work in practice? that is i right, the last virgin flight from south africa arrived within the last hour. i think there were two more from british airways this morning. that deadline, as you say, 12 o'clock and from that point, flights from south africa, botswana, zimbabwe, namibia and eswatini will be temporarily suspended until four o'clock on sunday morning. that is to allow the hotel quarantine scheme to get back in place. any uk or irish residents are arriving back into the uk will have to go into quarantine for ten days costing upwards of £2000 for an individual traveller. they will have to do a pcr test on the second and eighth day. there will be a scramble for people trying to get back from before sunday. if they can get a non—direct flight in, they will have to quarantine at home for ten days and take those two test. the south african government is not happy, saying this decision has been rushed before the world health organization has pronounced on this new variant and they say it could be damaging for the tourism industry is of both countries. ., ~' , ., for the tourism industry is of both countries. ., ,, , ., , . in the past few minutes, we've heard that france has cancelled a planned meeting with the home secretary this weekend, following the prime minister's letter to president macron. 0ur foreign correspondent jessica parker is in calais now. there is a meeting isn't there between the european commission and france, and it looks like the uk is not in the room? hot france, and it looks like the uk is not in the room?— not in the room? not invited. we knew british _ not in the room? not invited. we knew british officials _ not in the room? not invited. we knew british officials were - not in the room? not invited. we i knew british officials were meeting with their french counterparts today, but on sunday, priti patel, the home secretary, also due to head to france for this meeting with her french counterpart under the european ministers as well, but it looks like she is no longer invited. we have had a statement from the french interior ministry saying they consider borisjohnson's public consider boris johnson's public letter, consider borisjohnson's public letter, he issued a public letter to emmanuel macron last night, and acceptable. and in discussions with counterparts, as a consequence, priti patel is not invited on sunday which will take place between france, belgium, the netherlands, germany and the european commission. in the letter, which borisjohnson tweeted last night, he suggested joint patrols along the coast of northern france, an idea that would likely be unacceptable to the french, as well as trying to reach a bilateral returns policy as well. clearly it has not gone down very well. forall the clearly it has not gone down very well. for all the talk ofjoint cooperation between the two sides to tackle this crisis after the tragic deaths of 27 people, that cooperation is now proving pretty difficult. ., ~ cooperation is now proving pretty difficult. ., ,, , ., , cooperation is now proving pretty difficult. ., ~' , ., , . cooperation is now proving pretty difficult. ., ,, , . ., difficult. thank you very much for brinuain difficult. thank you very much for bringing us _ difficult. thank you very much for bringing us up — difficult. thank you very much for bringing us up to _ difficult. thank you very much for bringing us up to date. _ difficult. thank you very much for bringing us up to date. that i difficult. thank you very much forj bringing us up to date. that news just coming out in the last few minutes. that is the view from the french side of channel, so let's go to dover. simon, this has become even more fractious, but you have also been observing what is happening, the issue with migrants,, the people, being in danger is still an issue? , . , , an issue? yes, the crossings continued — an issue? yes, the crossings continued yesterday. - an issue? yes, the crossings continued yesterday. the i an issue? yes, the crossings i continued yesterday. the home an issue? yes, the crossings - continued yesterday. the home office confirmed overnight that yesterday 62 people reached the uk on two boats, despite the 27 deaths in the channel on wednesday. 0n boats, despite the 27 deaths in the channel on wednesday. on wednesday itself, more than 700 people made the crossing. i think the reaction from france, to that letter, is going to be a bitter blow in the uk. we have yet to receive a formal response from the home office or government ministers. a boris johnson was basically saying to the french, we need to come up with radical solutions otherwise they will be further catastrophes in the channel. it appears the french have taken exception to the tone of this, because boris johnson taken exception to the tone of this, because borisjohnson the same we have put forward ideas like joint patrols and returning people to france but those ideas have not found a positive reception in france. it may be that tone that is because the issues and the cancellation of the meeting with priti patel. while all this is going on we are now discovering some more of the human tragedies of what happened out in the channel on wednesday. the telegraph has spoken to want iraq occurred he said he believed his wife died in the channel. he was following her progress using gps but four hours into the journey, the signal disappeared and he has not heard from her since. disappeared and he has not heard from hersince. he said he disappeared and he has not heard from her since. he said he is absolutely devastated.- from her since. he said he is absolutely devastated. that is the reali , absolutely devastated. that is the reality. isn't _ absolutely devastated. that is the reality, isn't it? _ absolutely devastated. that is the reality, isn't it? simon _ absolutely devastated. that is the reality, isn't it? simon jones, i reality, isn't it? simonjones, thank you so much from dover. a candlelit vigil has been held, close to where an 18—year—old woman from plymouth was last seen alive. officers searching for bobbi—anne mcleod found a woman's body on tuesday, which hasn't yet been formally identified. police are continuing to investigate her suspected murder, as ben woolvin reports. another day of tears, memories and disbelief in the plymouth community. several hundred gathered at this vigil for bobbi—anne mcleod opposite the bus stop where she was last seen alive. at one point, a speech and some applause, even some spontaneous cheers. but most of the time, people just standing in quiet reflection. it is just beautiful to see everyone... coming together today for plymouth, yeah. what a wonderful, wonderful and beautiful girljust taken tragically like that, it's awful. justice for bobbi... sorry. it's ok, don't worry. police say one of the men arrested on tuesday, a 26—year—old has been released, facing no further action. a 24—year—old man remains in custody on suspicion of murder. officers have been given more time to question him. i can confirm that at this time there is no known link between the suspect and bobbi—anne. i would like to reassure the public that at this time, we are not seeking anyone else in relation to this matter. bobbi—anne's family continue to be supported by specialist officers, as those in the wider community continue to try to make sense of what's happened. tiffany and her family have lived next door to bobbi—anne's family for eight years. we have all tried to remain strong for them, doing our little part, but you can't... you just don't know what to do for them. what have you said to them? little things like, do you need something from the shops? you know, eat, try and keep yourself healthy. you can't make yourself poorly. i am there for you, as much as i can be. another vigil is planned for tonight. people are due to gather by one of the city's landmarks, the lighthouse, smeaton's tower. ben woolvin, bbc news. the other thing you need to make sure you are updated with is the weather today. we are seeing some severe weather conditions which can be quite dangerous? they can be, but not quite with a jet, but on the way. eastern scotland, north—east england, met office weather warning, danger to 0ffice weather warning, danger to life, disruption and the wind is onlyjust life, disruption and the wind is only just starting to life, disruption and the wind is onlyjust starting to pick up. starting to tear breezy, but the story for most of you, will be outbreaks of rain across england and wales, heavy bursts and a rumble of thunder pushing southwards on is will. cold air pushing in and showers turning wintry in scotland and blizzards later across the north—east of scotland in particular over the hills. these are the afternoon temperatures, feeling cold later today than it will do this morning. the winds will strengthen tonight. we will start to see widespread gales developed across the country, probably some of the lightest winds across the south—east but into the morning rain, sleet and snow extend across central and eastern parts of england as well as south—east scotland. dry in the west but wintry showers here as well. tomorrow, if you are planning any travel keep an eye on the travel news because they will be strong winds across the country to begin with, slowly easing down and a mixture of rain, sleet and snow good covering of snow over the hills in the north and sleet further south as well. temperatures are one to 6 degrees, an icy wind chill to go with it. the low pressure clears away and quieter on sunday. thank you, see you in the next half an hour. as we've been hearing this morning, a new coronavirus variant of concern has been identified in south africa, hong kong and botswana. to try to stop uk transmission, several south african countries have been placed on the travel red list. we are talking to an epidemiologist. unfortunately we are talking about this again, six countries on the red list. can you talk to us about firstly, we knew this variant about three days ago, officially? what are concerns it specifically? good morning- _ concerns it specifically? good morning. the _ concerns it specifically? good morning. the first _ concerns it specifically? good morning. the first thing i i concerns it specifically? good i morning. the first thing i should say is variants do emerge all the time with coronaviruses. most of those are fairly benign, but occasionally you get ones like this that emerge and are more worrying. with this particular variant it has been identified because there are quite a lot of mutations of the virus and many of those appear to be on the spike protein, a protein that is around the virus that invades the cells. that is what the vaccines target when they are trying to prevent infections and prevent people from getting seriously ill. that is why there is concern, there are suggestions the variant may be more transmissible and the vaccines may be less effective. but i hasten to add, this is early days, there has been fewer than 100 confirmed cases in south africa and elsewhere so far. it is concerning but really important we gather as much information as possible right now, so we understand exactly how concerned we should be. tell so we understand exactly how concerned we should be. tell me when we will know. — concerned we should be. tell me when we will know, for _ concerned we should be. tell me when we will know, for example, _ concerned we should be. tell me when we will know, for example, how i we will know, for example, how effective the vaccines we currently have available to us, how effective they will be against this variant? this will take a little bit of time. unfortunately, we cannot understand this fully until we get more data. that means sadly seen more cases. the other thing to bear in mind is that in south africa, only 24% of the population are fully vaccinated. that is significantly lower than us in the uk. that is part of the reason why we will see it spreading rapidly. if this variant really does take hold in south africa, it is something we need to monitor really carefully and we will get a much greater understanding over the next week or so as to how worried we should be and how effective we think the vaccines might be. the message hasn't changed, it is still important that people go out and continue to get the vaccines, continue to get the vaccines, continue to get their boosters because it will still provide protection. because it will still provide protection-— because it will still provide rotection. , �* ., , . protection. there isn't any evidence et, and protection. there isn't any evidence yet. and correct _ protection. there isn't any evidence yet, and correct me _ protection. there isn't any evidence yet, and correct me if— protection. there isn't any evidence yet, and correct me if this - protection. there isn't any evidence yet, and correct me if this is - protection. there isn't any evidence yet, and correct me if this is not i yet, and correct me if this is not right, that this strain, this variant causes more illness or more severe illness than the strains we have had already? that severe illness than the strains we have had already?— have had already? that is my understanding, _ have had already? that is my understanding, it _ have had already? that is my understanding, it is - have had already? that is my understanding, it is very i have had already? that is my| understanding, it is very early days. we have only known about this variant for a few days. all we can see at the moment with these mutations, it does seem it may be spreading more rapidly. early evidence that the vaccines may be less effective. i hasten to say it might be, but right now we don't have any evidence to say it is more severe but we are working in a situation where a lot of unknowns have to be resolved quickly. today we know that _ have to be resolved quickly. today we know that from _ have to be resolved quickly. today we know that from midday - have to be resolved quickly. today we know that from midday today, | have to be resolved quickly. today we know that from midday today, any flight that comes in from the six countries in southern africa, there's people coming in on those flights will have two isolates and quarantine for ten days at home and then from sunday, the rules change again from 4am and they will be put in quarantine hotels. of the flights coming in before then, in terms of it spreading, in terms of people, you know, they are under no obligation to test when they come back after a certain number of days, is that a concern? this back after a certain number of days, is that a concern?— is that a concern? this is one of those challenges _ is that a concern? this is one of those challenges that _ is that a concern? this is one of those challenges that is - is that a concern? this is one of those challenges that is always | those challenges that is always going to happen when you get variant spreading in other countries. measures will need to be put in to prevent the risk. but, of course, some individuals may already be here that will need to be traced and potentially tested to see if this variant has already come in. sadly with coronavirus, because there is always this lag, the time when people wear infected, we are always behind the curve. restrictions do need to come into place as soon as they can in the situation so we can protect people. but there has to be practicality in terms of making sure measures are put in place at the right time so people can be supported as they come in. it is important if people have come in from south africa and from these at risk regions so they seek testing so we can potentially identify anyone who has come in with this bearing. to clarify, when your pcr test are sent off, strains are observed aren't they?— sent off, strains are observed aren't the ? , ., , , ., aren't they? yes, absolutely. not all pcr tests _ aren't they? yes, absolutely. not all pcr tests are _ aren't they? yes, absolutely. not all pcr tests are in _ aren't they? yes, absolutely. not all pcr tests are in a _ aren't they? yes, absolutely. not all pcr tests are in a situation i all pcr tests are in a situation where they can be sequenced, but for those that are, they will be sent off and sequenced and potentially these variants can be identified. a, these variants can be identified. a final question, how do we know if this is more transmissible? what happens in terms of the virus and then what do you do about it? taste happens in terms of the virus and then what do you do about it? we saw this when delta _ then what do you do about it? we saw this when delta emerged _ then what do you do about it? we saw this when delta emerged in _ then what do you do about it? we saw this when delta emerged in the i this when delta emerged in the summer, you can get a signal looking at the data, may be the r number has gone up and we are seeing growth in parts of the country we have not seen before. we were here about this time last year when the november loft lockdown was lifting in 2020, when the kent variant, the alpha variant became a problem. you get a signal that things aren't right encase are grown. the key thing is, is this going to send the r number significantly above one? is it going to lead to higher numbers of hospital admissions? to lead to higher numbers of hospitaladmissions? if that to lead to higher numbers of hospital admissions? if that is the case, the government need to look at taking actions. but there is an awful lot of ifs at the moment and they need to be clarify before we get there and think about what might be happening if we see a growing number of cases in the uk. always aood to number of cases in the uk. always good to talk _ number of cases in the uk. always good to talk to. — number of cases in the uk. always good to talk to, like _ number of cases in the uk. always good to talk to, like it _ number of cases in the uk. always good to talk to, like it so - number of cases in the uk. always good to talk to, like it so much. i good to talk to, like it so much. mike tyldesleyjoining us, epidemiologist. thank you very much. let's go straight to our correspondent injohannesburg. there correspondent in johannesburg. there has correspondent injohannesburg. there has been some diplomacy around this and the south african government questioning, to a degree, the uk's decision. tell questioning, to a degree, the uk's decision. , ., ., , decision. tell us more? that is ri . ht, decision. tell us more? that is right. good _ decision. tell us more? that is right, good morning. _ decision. tell us more? that is right, good morning. the i decision. tell us more? that is| right, good morning. the south african foreign minister issuing a statement today saying this decision by britain has been rushed and they are hoping to engage with the uk in order to get them to reconsider the travel ban. they say will be very damaging to the economies of both countries, but obviously particularly damaging to south africa, to its tourist industry at a time when tourists are busy flocking here for what effectively are the summer holidays in the southern hemisphere. so a of frustration that the british government has jumped the british government has jumped the gun, got ahead of the world health organization, for instance, in any declaration about this new variant. a real sense, i suppose, that south africa is being punished, if you like. it is a word we hear a lot about on the airways and on twitter because of its effective scientific response and its ability to spot these new variants early on. on the scientific front, there work 0n the scientific front, there work continues furiously in the laboratories, particularly in durban where they are trying to sequence this new variant and work out what these mutations are up to and how much of a threat they pose. but the big message, the one thing we do know in south africa today is that this is a highly transmissible variant. whether it is more deadly or dangerous, we do not know but it is more transmissible and is spreading at a time when south africa's fourth way wave appears to be starting. i south africa's fourth way wave appears to be starting.- south africa's fourth way wave appears to be starting. i was going to ask ou appears to be starting. i was going to ask you about _ appears to be starting. i was going to ask you about that. _ appears to be starting. i was going to ask you about that. we - appears to be starting. i was going to ask you about that. we have i appears to be starting. i was going l to ask you about that. we have been told, and that is a message from the uk government, the transmission rate is higher with this variant. what is happening, how is this playing out amongst the south african population? it amongst the south african population?— amongst the south african --oulation? , , , ~ , population? it is very very early da s. population? it is very very early days- there _ population? it is very very early days. there is _ population? it is very very early days. there is a _ population? it is very very early days. there is a vaccination i days. there is a vaccination campaign going on. one of the problems here is not the lack of supply we hear so much about being an issue across africa, but in south africa there are plenty of vaccines, people are not taking it up. people are hoping scientists, health experts here are hoping this will be a jolt to those south africans who are not yet vaccinated, so they can pick it up. at the moment we have 40% of the population here who have had at least one jab. but what is good news is that about two thirds of older south africans, people over 60 have had the jab. i think that give some encouragement to people here. the danger is, if this does spread, perhaps it has already spread, perhaps it has already spread to other parts of the continent where vaccination levels are extremely low still, three or 4%. perhaps a quarter of healthcare workers across the continent have been vaccinated.— workers across the continent have been vaccinated. andrew, thank you ve much been vaccinated. andrew, thank you very much for— been vaccinated. andrew, thank you very much for that. _ been vaccinated. andrew, thank you very much for that. we _ been vaccinated. andrew, thank you very much for that. we will- been vaccinated. andrew, thank you very much for that. we will get i been vaccinated. andrew, thank you | very much for that. we will get more on this. there are two elements of this, one is the epidemiology at the concerns about the virus and the other is the diplomacy. you heard from south africa, the government there questioning some of the decisions being made by the uk government. saying it has been rushed. we will be talking to the transport minister, grant shapps at 7.30 so we will put all of those issues to him. immigration and scottish independence will be top of the agenda at the snp�*s party conference later today. it's their second event this year and will take place online, over the next four days. let's speak now to scotland's finance secretary kate forbes. very good morning to you, thank you for your time this morning. there is a lot happening, as you will be aware which affects all parts of the uk. i wanted you to reflect on what we are understanding from the situation between uk government and the french government. you will know very well that boris johnson put the french government. you will know very well that borisjohnson put out this letter, made public this letter, a five—point plan he proposed for the french. we have had a response from the french interior ministry and the response is, priti patel, the home secretary, is no longer invited to a meeting due to take place on sunday. itruihat longer invited to a meeting due to take place on sunday.— longer invited to a meeting due to take place on sunday. what is your reaction to — take place on sunday. what is your reaction to that? _ take place on sunday. what is your reaction to that? we _ take place on sunday. what is your reaction to that? we have - take place on sunday. what is your reaction to that? we have been i reaction to that? we have been watching with deep concern what's been going on at the channel. we already have deep concerns about the uk's hostile immigration policy. not just because of the economic implications, but because of the moral and compassionate implications. what the uk government has been doing so far isn't working. people are dying and we only hear about those that make the newspapers. quite clearly, something needs to be done on the european wide basis to ensure people have safe passage. nobody leaves their home and faces dangers like the ones they are facing because they want to, they do that because they are fleeing danger. certainly from a scottish government perspective we have always said we want to welcome those that are fleeing, we want to welcome refugees, asylum seekers and those that want to make scotland their home. those that want to make scotland their home-— those that want to make scotland their home. ., ., ., their home. you say that and the uk disersal their home. you say that and the uk dispersal scheme, _ their home. you say that and the uk dispersal scheme, one _ their home. you say that and the uk dispersal scheme, one of— their home. you say that and the uk dispersal scheme, one of the - their home. you say that and the uk l dispersal scheme, one of the schemes in place throughout the uk which is designed to help asylum seekers and refugees, where they end up in the uk, i understand that only one out of 32 local authorities in scotland are taking part in that as a practical measure. why is it so few? i don't have the figures to hand, but in previous resettlement initiatives, whether it is those fleeing from afghanistan or those coming from syria, scottish local authorities have stepped up and prioritised those that are fleeing other countries. so we stand ready, we have worked collaboratively with uk government to ensure we can as many refugees as possible. that position remains the case. i will! many refugees as possible. that position remains the case. i will go back to the — position remains the case. i will go back to the question, _ position remains the case. i will go back to the question, the - position remains the case. i will go back to the question, the uk i back to the question, the uk dispersal scheme, the scheme in place across the uk in scotland, one out of 32 local authorities are taking part? i out of 32 local authorities are taking part?— out of 32 local authorities are taking part? i don't have those figures--- _ taking part? i don't have those figures... to _ taking part? i don't have those figures... to be _ taking part? i don't have those figures... to be fair, _ taking part? i don't have those figures... to be fair, i - taking part? i don't have those figures... to be fair, i have - taking part? i don't have those| figures... to be fair, i havejust figures... to be fair, i have 'ust told ou figures... to be fair, i have 'ust told you the fi figures... to be fair, i have 'ust told you the figures. * figures... to be fair, i havejust told you the figures. indeed, i figures... to be fair, i have just| told you the figures. indeed, but figures... to be fair, i have just i told you the figures. indeed, but it stands at odds _ told you the figures. indeed, but it stands at odds with _ told you the figures. indeed, but it stands at odds with the _ told you the figures. indeed, but it stands at odds with the work - told you the figures. indeed, but it stands at odds with the work we i told you the figures. indeed, but it | stands at odds with the work we are doing right now to welcome refugees. if i go back to the syrian resettlement scheme, local authorities across scotland welcome refugees. we have had a number of meetings in relation to those coming from afghanistan and scottish local authorities have been ready, willing and ready to take refugees. you are talking about a specific scheme, i am not hugely sited on that specific scheme but it is strange, considering the work we have been doing with local authorities in terms of welcoming refugees, ensuring there is housing, ensuring there is health care support. the groundwork has been done, the infrastructure is there and we stand ready to welcome refugees. i infrastructure is there and we stand ready to welcome refugees.- infrastructure is there and we stand ready to welcome refugees. i want to ask ou ready to welcome refugees. i want to ask you about — ready to welcome refugees. i want to ask you about the _ ready to welcome refugees. i want to ask you about the story _ ready to welcome refugees. i want to ask you about the story which - ready to welcome refugees. i want to ask you about the story which is i ask you about the story which is moving this morning in connexion with this new variant that has been discovered in south africa and the travel changes, the red list changes coming into force today. you are probably familiar with that and i'm not sure how that directly affect scotland, not sure how many flights come directly to scotland, but i think they come directly into heathrow, but what do you make of the restrictions grant shapps has been bringing in? we the restrictions grant shapps has been bringing in?— the restrictions grant shapps has been bringing in? we had a meeting last niuht been bringing in? we had a meeting last night on — been bringing in? we had a meeting last night on a _ been bringing in? we had a meeting last night on a four _ been bringing in? we had a meeting last night on a four nations - been bringing in? we had a meeting last night on a four nations basis i last night on a four nations basis and we proceed with those initiatives on a four nations basis. you appreciate it is important, although there are not direct flights, we play our part and we do so on a four nations basis. it is very concerning, it reminds us covid is still with us and hasn't gone away. anything can happen, although right now cases in scotland are probably too high, that are in the right place in terms of clattering or falling right place in terms of clattering orfalling in right place in terms of clattering or falling in terms of the impact on hospitals. we know anything can happen and we need to be very careful in not ruling out any restrictions and ensuring we are working very closely with businesses to understand... flan working very closely with businesses to understand...— to understand... can i ask you one secific to understand... can i ask you one specific question, _ to understand... can i ask you one specific question, some _ to understand... can i ask you one specific question, some of - to understand... can i ask you one specific question, some of those l specific question, some of those people on those flights may be arriving today and until 12 o'clock midday, they could be travelling to scotland from london, what measures will you have in place, or try to put in place in terms of protecting people? put in place in terms of protecting eo - le? , put in place in terms of protecting --eole? , , put in place in terms of protecting --eole? ,,, my put in place in terms of protecting neale? , ,, ., , , people? this is precisely why it needs to be — people? this is precisely why it needs to be on _ people? this is precisely why it needs to be on a _ people? this is precisely why it needs to be on a four— people? this is precisely why it needs to be on a four nations | people? this is precisely why it i needs to be on a four nations basis. what is happening now, teams are working to track those that have arrived over the last ten days to make sure they have a pcr test. you are right, they may arrive in london and go to wales, northern ireland, scotland and the teams are tracking them right now. if people don't arrive directly from these countries that perhaps go via an airport in europe, it is really important we identify all of those coming from those countries, even if they have gone via another airport or another country. gone via another airport or another count . ., gone via another airport or another count . . ., , , ., . country. kate forbes, finance secretary. — country. kate forbes, finance secretary, thank _ country. kate forbes, finance secretary, thank you - country. kate forbes, finance secretary, thank you for i country. kate forbes, finance secretary, thank you for your | country. kate forbes, finance i secretary, thank you for your time this morning. let's get the news, travel and weather where you are and we will be talking to the transport minister after that. good morning from bbc london, i'm alison earle. tube passengers are facing major disruption this morning as drivers on five lines have gone on strike. the action by members of the rmt union, is over changes to their rotas linked to the restart of the night tube this weekend. it means there's little or no service, on the central, jubilee, northern, piccadilly and victoria lines. while other parts of the underground will be busier than usual. the city of london police is warning us to take extra care when shopping online. data from the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime shows thatjust over 28,000 people were conned out of their money when buying on websites during the christmas period last year. the advice is to choose carefully where you shop. the air ambulance across the south east believe they ve been able to identify the so—called county lines of drugs gangs coming out of london. they've been mapping the 300 stabbings they ve attended over the past six years. those behind the study say it could be possible to work out crime hotspots. it's particularly important for us here at the air ambulance because we do respond at night. we are one of the few charity air ambulances to fly at night. and of course, in our patch, certainly across kent in particular, you can be a long way from help if you are stabbed. for many dance fans it wouldn't be christmas without the nutcracker. well, this year it's returning to london's west end. the royal ballet were forced to cancel most of their festive performances 12 months ago due to covid restrictions. but they're back with a new version of the christmassy tale. it runs at the royal opera house, over 31 days. travel now. central, jubilee, northern, piccadilly and victoria lines are all being affected by strike action. a limited service is running in places. the waterloo and city line is also suspended. minor delays on the circle line. a good service on all other lines. weather now with elizabeth. hello, good morning. storm arwen is set to bring us some very unsettled conditions over the next couple of days, strengthening winds particularly on saturday, some showers and some of those showers could turn out to be a bit wintry over the higher ground at times. we are staying in that cold air as we head through the rest of the week. it was cold and frosty last night underneath clear skies at first, but we have now got more cloud edging down from the north—west with this weather system that will eventually pull its way out into the north sea. there are some showers around this morning, some of those showers will merge together to form what will feel like longer spells of rain. but also some brighter spells through the afternoon, just feeling bitterly cold despite the fact that temperatures are slightly higher than they were yesterday. and there is a blustery north—westerly wind blowing, some really strong gusty winds for a time and then the winds will lighten somewhat as we head into the evening. overnight tonight, some of those showers could possibly turn out to be a bit wintry over higher ground at times. some sleet, even a bit of fleeting snow, it will turn back into rain tomorrow morning. on saturday, a very windy day indeed. gusts of wind of around 45 to even 50 miles an hour, further showers and feeling very cold. hello, this is breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. several southern african countries have been placed on the travel red list, amid warnings over a new coronavirus variant of "serious concern". scientists say it could take weeks to know its exact impact, but there are fears it could be more transmissible and make vaccines less effective. so far only a small number of cases have so far been confirmed in africa and none in the uk. france has cancelled a planned meeting with the uk this weekend, in protest over a letter published by the prime minister on the migrant crisis. priti patel had been scheduled to attend a meeting of european ministers on sunday, after the drowning of 27 people trying to cross the english channel on wednesday. the french interior minister described borisjohnson's letter, outlining steps to prevent crossings as "unacceptable". let's talk to the transport minister grant shapps you can bring us up to date with those stories. good morning. what's going on this morning. what's going on this morning. we should begin with what is happening in terms of the new delta variant, and the restrictions that have been brought in. so from 12pm today, anyone coming from these six countries that have been put on the red list will have to quarantine at home. from thorium on sunday, they will have to quarantine in a hotel —— 4am on sunday they will have to quarantine in a hotel. it is the quickest this could have been put in place?— put in place? yes, we have acted immediately _ put in place? yes, we have acted immediately on _ put in place? yes, we have acted immediately on the _ put in place? yes, we have acted immediately on the day - put in place? yes, we have acted immediately on the day that i put in place? yes, we have acted immediately on the day that the | put in place? yes, we have acted i immediately on the day that the four chief medical officers met in the united kingdom and advised us, and within an hour or two we had made these changes. so we have acted extremely fast. 50 these changes. so we have acted extremely fast.— these changes. so we have acted extremely fast. so you knew about this 'ust a extremely fast. so you knew about thisiust a few— extremely fast. so you knew about thisjust a few hours _ extremely fast. so you knew about thisjust a few hours ago? - extremely fast. so you knew about thisjust a few hours ago? these i this just a few hours ago? these announcements were made last night? i think i'm right in saying the chief medical officers met between four and five, and we met immediately after that. so very fast. i immediately after that. so very fast. ., , ,, ., fast. i was under the impression, sor , fast. i was under the impression, sorry. that _ fast. i was under the impression, sorry. that this — fast. i was under the impression, sorry, that this variant _ fast. i was under the impression, sorry, that this variant was i fast. i was under the impression, | sorry, that this variant was known about three days ago. the sorry, that this variant was known about three days ago.— about three days ago. the variant itself had been _ about three days ago. the variant itself had been uploaded - about three days ago. the variant itself had been uploaded to i about three days ago. the variant itself had been uploaded to the l itself had been uploaded to the international website which reports these things. bear in mind, variants are reported every day, that is not unusual. what is interested about —— interesting about this one, and the chief medical officers met and agreed, it is the most significant variant they had encountered and there was a lot of concern about the potential for it to escape the vaccine. that's the thing that they were concerned about and they came straight to us yesterday afternoon, an emergency meeting was held and we have taken the action immediately to stop direct flights. only british citizens with residential rights here. ,, ., citizens with residential rights here. ~ ., here. the south african foreign minister has _ here. the south african foreign minister has said _ here. the south african foreign minister has said this _ here. the south african foreign minister has said this decision l here. the south african foreign i minister has said this decision has been rushed, and is edging some consideration of this. is this an absolute, you will not reconsider? this is a safety first approach. and i want to pay tribute to the safe south africans. they have worked very fast on this and they have been very fast on this and they have been very transparent on it which is the right way to go. this is agreed across all of the united kingdom, and we have acted fast. it's rather like with the mink variant from denmark last year where we acted within hours and were then able, once we kept it out, were able to release things somewhat. i hope that this is, a pause, rather than going backwards. but we cannot take risks when we see a variant which could well defeat the vaccine, or at least thatis well defeat the vaccine, or at least that is the concern. we need a bit of time to be able to check that out and get the scientists to grow the culture and be able to advise. so the message is to south africa, no reconsideration at this moment in time? ~ ., , reconsideration at this moment in time? ~ . , , reconsideration at this moment in time? . , , , ., time? we have put this in place, and done it as quickly _ time? we have put this in place, and done it as quickly as _ time? we have put this in place, and done it as quickly as possible, i time? we have put this in place, and done it as quickly as possible, it's i done it as quickly as possible, it's a safety first approach. we will provide every assistance that we can. the south africans have very good genome sequencing abilities themselves as well. i think it is important, that we do, safety first, the uk health agency made this recommendation and we have acted, and we know from coronavirus, lots of experience now, that you can never stop these things but early action buys you more time. when will ou know action buys you more time. when will you know if — action buys you more time. when will you know if this _ action buys you more time. when will you know if this is _ action buys you more time. when will you know if this is more _ action buys you more time. when will you know if this is more concerning i you know if this is more concerning than other variants we have seen? it does take usually weeks to check these things out, you have to grow these things out, you have to grow the culture and sequence it all. we have a review in three weeks' time, that will be the next moment that we will be able to take a further look at it. and we will as ever with these things be guided by the science. ., .., . these things be guided by the science-_ we i these things be guided by the i science._ we have these things be guided by the science. ., .., . we have been science. how concerned? we have been throuuh a science. how concerned? we have been through a lot — science. how concerned? we have been through a lot with _ science. how concerned? we have been through a lot with coronavirus. - science. how concerned? we have been through a lot with coronavirus. i - through a lot with coronavirus. i should say, we have not identified a single case in the uk. we have done this because we do not want to identify any cases here. will be contacting and are already contacting and are already contacting people who have come back over the last ten days. if you have travelled back from south africa or any of those other five countries we have put on the red list, take a pcr test immediately on the nhs because it is very important that we do try to it. we also —— track it. we also know that you cannot prevent to the coronavirus, literally nothing that you can do to prevent any transmission and eventually if there is a variant, it will come here. i am a great believer in science, we can show what can be done by following the science with the vaccines, and i was talking to chris whitty, the chief medical officer about this yesterday, and in his words, we will find the right vaccinations, even for new variants. but we need to give ourselves as much time as possible. in but we need to give ourselves as much time as possible.— but we need to give ourselves as much time as possible. in terms of practicality — much time as possible. in terms of practicality is. _ much time as possible. in terms of practicality is, what _ much time as possible. in terms of practicality is, what is _ much time as possible. in terms of practicality is, what is being - much time as possible. in terms of practicality is, what is being done, | practicality is, what is being done, we were talking to kate bob from the snp and she said in scotland, they are tracking back in the last ten days anyone who has travelled to these countries and edging pcr tests. what is being done in england? from 12 o'clock today, there are flights coming in now, a few hundred people have come in this morning from these six countries. what do they have to do? first morning from these six countries. what do they have to do?- what do they have to do? first of all, it is what do they have to do? first of all. it is a — what do they have to do? first of all, it is a joint _ what do they have to do? first of all, it is a joint united _ what do they have to do? first of all, it is a joint united kingdom i all, it is a joint united kingdom decision so we are doing exactly the same thing in england as what happens in scotland and wales and northern ireland, tracking back anyone who has arrived anyway —— arrived here in the last ten days. that is readily available from the passenger locator form that anyone who comes to the country has to fill out. we are already tracking those people to make sure they take pcr tests. 50 people to make sure they take pcr tests. , ., ., , tests. so is it the law that they have to take — tests. so is it the law that they have to take a _ tests. so is it the law that they have to take a pcr _ tests. so is it the law that they have to take a pcr test? i tests. so is it the law that they have to take a pcr test? we i tests. so is it the law that they i have to take a pcr test? we would ask them to. _ have to take a pcr test? we would ask them to, they _ have to take a pcr test? we would ask them to, they will _ have to take a pcr test? we would ask them to, they will be _ have to take a pcr test? we would ask them to, they will be tracked l ask them to, they will be tracked down, it would be incumbent on them. it is unlikely, and this is only very new, there have only been 50 plus cases in south africa, we aren't expecting that anyone who have come back prior to now will have come back prior to now will have it. the concern about this particular variant, which is b.1.1.529, is that it is particular variant, which is b.i.i.529, is that it is spreading very, very fast. its rate of growth has been very quick. so we think the issueis has been very quick. so we think the issue is probably from now. and we are again asking people to quarantine, self isolate, when they get home. 50 quarantine, self isolate, when they aet home. , quarantine, self isolate, when they iet home. , ., quarantine, self isolate, when they aet home. , ., ., ., ., get home. so it is not a law that the will get home. so it is not a law that they will be _ get home. so it is not a law that they will be asked _ get home. so it is not a law that they will be asked to. _ get home. so it is not a law that they will be asked to. so - get home. so it is not a law that they will be asked to. so can i i get home. so it is not a law that l they will be asked to. so can ijust asked, we need to talk about what is happening with the relationship between the uk and france, we had this morning, borisjohnson issued this morning, borisjohnson issued this letter with five action points proposed to the french, released this as well. there seems to have been some disagreement and consternation on the french side. we understand that, we heard earlier that the meeting with the uk which was invited, to a meeting with belgium, germany, the netherlands and the european commission, which is going ahead this weekend, the uk is going ahead this weekend, the uk is not invited. because relationships have broken down, what is your reaction to that, how are you going to fix this?— is your reaction to that, how are you going to fix this? well, look, i think that quite _ you going to fix this? well, look, i think that quite simply _ you going to fix this? well, look, i think that quite simply no - you going to fix this? well, look, i think that quite simply no nation l think that quite simply no nation can tackle this alone. so i hope that the french will reconsider. it is in our interests and their interest, certainly in the interests of people here being trafficked to the uk. these tragic scenes we are seeing of people losing their lives. we need to absolutely work together... we need to absolutely work together- - -_ we need to absolutely work touether... �* , ., ., ., together... bet uk is not going to be in the room _ together... bet uk is not going to be in the room at _ together... bet uk is not going to be in the room at the _ together... bet uk is not going to be in the room at the weekend i together... bet uk is not going to be in the room at the weekend at| be in the room at the weekend at this crucial weekend.— be in the room at the weekend at this crucial weekend. let's see what ha ens. this crucial weekend. let's see what happens. friends _ this crucial weekend. let's see what happens. friends and _ this crucial weekend. let's see what happens. friends and neighbours i this crucial weekend. let's see what i happens. friends and neighbours need to work together. there is no other way to address the problem apart from working closely together. the french have _ from working closely together. the french have said you are not invited. the french have said the home secretary priti patel is no longer invited. this home secretary priti patel is no longer invited.— longer invited. as i say, i hope that is not _ longer invited. as i say, i hope that is not the _ longer invited. as i say, i hope that is not the end _ longer invited. as i say, i hope that is not the end state i longer invited. as i say, i hope that is not the end state of i longer invited. as i say, i hope that is not the end state of it. | that is not the end state of it. because how can we resolve these problems if we do not work together, ? problems if we do not work together,? we know we have managed together,? we know we have managed to secure over 400 arrests so far, to secure over 400 arrests so far, to dismantle some of these criminal gangs. france is equally frustrated because they have got people pulled france in order to try to make this crossing. people waiting in calais... that is the situation now, but borisjohnson put calais... that is the situation now, but boris johnson put this calais... that is the situation now, but borisjohnson put this letter out. in but boris johnson put this letter out. , ., , , out. in terms of these five points. was that sensible _ out. in terms of these five points. was that sensible in _ out. in terms of these five points. was that sensible in terms - out. in terms of these five points. was that sensible in terms of i was that sensible in terms of diplomacy and looking towards a solution so that no more people die? who can argue against wanting to workjointly together, having a joint intelligence cell was one of his proposals? patrolling can be controversial, in each other�*s territorial waters, controversial, in each other�*s territorialwaters, in controversial, in each other�*s territorial waters, in order to double up support, using more technology, i think these are all good and top —— common sense approaches. good and top -- common sense approaches-— good and top -- common sense a- roaches. . ., ., ., , approaches. the french have already said they do — approaches. the french have already said they do not _ approaches. the french have already said they do not want _ approaches. the french have already said they do not want patrols - approaches. the french have already said they do not want patrols so i approaches. the french have already said they do not want patrols so why | said they do not want patrols so why put it out in a letter and inflame an already intense situation? is that the right thing to do? i think it does not _ that the right thing to do? i think it does not need _ that the right thing to do? i think it does not need to _ that the right thing to do? i think it does not need to be _ that the right thing to do? i think it does not need to be read i that the right thing to do? i think it does not need to be read in i that the right thing to do? i think| it does not need to be read in that way. it it does not need to be read in that wa . ., , �* ., , , it does not need to be read in that wa. way. it doesn't need to be put out in ublic way. it doesn't need to be put out in public in _ way. it doesn't need to be put out in public in that _ way. it doesn't need to be put out in public in that way, _ way. it doesn't need to be put out in public in that way, does - way. it doesn't need to be put out in public in that way, does it? i in public in that way, does it? diplomacy is not about that. it is im ortant diplomacy is not about that. it is important that _ diplomacy is not about that. it is important that we _ diplomacy is not about that. it 3 important that we work together. and that has been happening. but sadly, these criminal gangs have been going out and now killing people. we know that people have died all the way through, but this very big tragedy a couple of days ago really should focus everybody�*s mind. let me ask you this. if we don't talk, there is no other way to resolve these things. i think it is absolutely right to do that. i think on balance, it is right and whenever an reflect on it this will be the case, that we are speaking about it and we are using cooperation in every form, whether that is technology or patrols or whatever else to resolve this problem because there is not another way to do it. what is the alternative? it another way to do it. what is the alternative?— another way to do it. what is the alternative? it is better to deduce that the political— alternative? it is better to deduce that the political -- _ alternative? it is better to deduce that the political -- political- that the political —— political situation is fractious. the response from the french is in response to borisjohnson from the french is in response to boris johnson putting from the french is in response to borisjohnson putting out this letter. it's got to the point where borisjohnson the prime minister has decided to put out where he wants or are the french overacting? i decided to put out where he wants or are the french overacting?— are the french overacting? i think we should not _ are the french overacting? i think we should not read _ are the french overacting? i think we should not read too _ are the french overacting? i think we should not read too much i are the french overacting? i think we should not read too much into i we should not read too much into this. ~ ., we should not read too much into this. ~ . , , . ., , this. with all respect, transport minister, when _ this. with all respect, transport minister, when a _ this. with all respect, transport minister, when a meeting i this. with all respect, transport minister, when a meeting is i minister, when a meeting is cancelled after we have reported that 27 people died, it is serious, it is a problem, it is something we should be concerned about if the two countries who are either side of the channel when people are dying, cannot meet and cancel meetings, this is serious. {iii cannot meet and cancel meetings, this is serious.— this is serious. of course, of course we — this is serious. of course, of course we want _ this is serious. of course, of course we want to _ this is serious. of course, of course we want to meet, i this is serious. of course, of. course we want to meet, let's this is serious. of course, of i course we want to meet, let's see how this pans out. president macron and the prime minister had been speaking. it's proper and sensible for the pie minister to set out five different ideas —— prime minister to set out five different ideas on how we can redouble our cooperation. friends and neighbours need to work closely together. there is not another way how we can resolve this apart from working together so i hope those discussions will be forthcoming and urgently, because people's lives are being put at risk every single day in more and more dangerous conditions as the seas get colder. , ., ,, ., , ,, ., ~ dangerous conditions as the seas get colder. , . ,, . , ,, . ~ dangerous conditions as the seas get colder. , . ,, . . ~ ., colder. grant shapps, thank you for talkin: to colder. grant shapps, thank you for talking to us _ colder. grant shapps, thank you for talking to us this _ colder. grant shapps, thank you for talking to us this morning. - colder. grant shapps, thank you for talking to us this morning. thanki talking to us this morning. thank ou. it is 7:46am, let's get the details of the weather, it is armed with some mornings for certain parts of the country. yes, the met office have named their first storm of the season, storm arwen, here is your takeaway, the main feature of the forecast in the next 36 hours. it will be late into tonight and through into tomorrow where we will see the strongest winds, particularly in eastern scotland and north—east england but widespread gales developing across the country. it will be told, feeling sub zero, with the colder air in place, it will be snowy across the hills with blizzards in northern areas. please expect there will be some disruption potentially as we head through into the weekend. that is the main crux of the story. this area of low pressure which is storm arwen, pushing down into the western edge is the strongest winds. the winds will strengthen into tomorrow morning. at the moment it is not particularly windy across the south but we will see outbreaks of rain, heavy bursts in the midlands and wales, but once that goes through it will be sunshine and showers through today. some of the showers through today. some of the showers on the heavy side but some will spend the bulk of the day dry, getting more blustery. for northern ireland, more frequent showers, sleet and snow and we will see more persistent rain around the coasts. snow inland will start to turn to blizzards over the likes of the grampians. notice the afternoon temperatures, it is going to feel colder, colderthan temperatures, it is going to feel colder, colder than it does first thing. this evening and overnight we will start to see the winds pick up, eastern parts of scotland and north—east england, the met office have an amber whether one in the place. the potential risk to property and life. —— a weather warning in place. some power disruption, dangerous disruption and dangerous seas. it will not be a goodnight to be out there. this area of rain, sleet and snow pushes into northern england, could give a covering across the pennines and we could see some sleet and snow mixed in with the main further south. a windy night and a windy start tomorrow morning. widely touching gale force that thing, particularly around the western coasts and north—east england, bearing the brunt as we start saturday. through the day, rain, sleet and snow at times across central and eastern england, wintry showers to the north and west, some sunshine, southey scotland will be dry but the wind will feel biting, especially cold. a few temperatures —— temperatures a few temperatures —— temperatures a few degrees above freezing but add on the wind chill, it will feel colder, sub zero in most parts of the country. a day to wrap up. if you have any travel plans, keep checking back with the forecast and all of the travel details on bbc local radio. sunday is looking more quiet, a frosty start but drive from the west. —— turning dryer from the west. look, we are in the cinema! 0h, eah! a look, we are in the cinema! oh, yeah! a red _ look, we are in the cinema! oh, yeah! a red sofa, _ look, we are in the cinema! oh, yeah! a red sofa, a _ look, we are in the cinema! oh, yeah! a red sofa, a red - look, we are in the cinema! oi yeah! a red sofa, a red chair. it was named london's show of the year, and broke box office records on the eest end — now the classic musical 'anything goes' is moving from stage to screen. this weekend, fans will be able to watch a special cinematic release, starring felicity kendal and robert lindsay. you had robert chuckling, he is here next to us. hello! are you going to keep the sunglasses on? it is next to us. hello! are you going to keep the sunglasses on?— keep the sunglasses on? it is a bit earl for keep the sunglasses on? it is a bit early for me. _ keep the sunglasses on? it is a bit early for me, that _ keep the sunglasses on? it is a bit early for me, that is _ keep the sunglasses on? it is a bit early for me, that is all. _ keep the sunglasses on? it is a bit early for me, that is all. it - keep the sunglasses on? it is a bit early for me, that is all. it is i early for me, that is all. it is film star _ early for me, that is all. it is film star cool. _ early for me, that is all. it is film star cool. did _ early for me, that is all. it is film star cool. did you i early for me, that is all. it is film star cool. did you just i early for me, that is all. it is i film star cool. did you just give us film star cool. did you 'ust give us a a-limse film star cool. did you 'ust give us a glimpse oft film star cool. did you 'ust give us a glimpse ofjazz _ film star cool. did you just give us a glimpse ofjazz hands? - film star cool. did you just give us a glimpse ofjazz hands? is - film star cool. did you just give us a glimpse ofjazz hands? is that l a glimpse of “an hands? is that “an a glimpse of “an hands? is that jazz hands? — a glimpse ofjazz hands? is that jazz hands? you _ a glimpse ofjazz hands? is that jazz hands? you tell _ a glimpse ofjazz hands? is that jazz hands? you tell me, - a glimpse ofjazz hands? is that jazz hands? you tell me, it - a glimpse ofjazz hands? is that jazz hands? you tell me, it is i a glimpse ofjazz hands? is that i jazz hands? you tell me, it is you who is a veteran _ jazz hands? you tell me, it is you who is a veteran of— jazz hands? you tell me, it is you who is a veteran of stage - jazz hands? you tell me, it is you who is a veteran of stage and - who is a veteran of stage and screen, and dancing, like you are. let's not talk about that. let's see them in action! # anything goes! so, you heard robert lindsay there! he plays moonface martin, and felicity kendal who plays evangeline harcourt is in south london. good morning, i'm so sorry not to be there~ _ good morning, i'm so sorry not to be there. if— good morning, i'm so sorry not to be there. . , , good morning, i'm so sorry not to be there. ., , , ., �* there. it will happen one day, i'm sure. there. it will happen one day, i'm sure- you — there. it will happen one day, i'm sure. you were _ there. it will happen one day, i'm sure. you were just _ there. it will happen one day, i'm sure. you were just saying, - there. it will happen one day, i'm l sure. you were just saying, robert, you are not going to watch it because it is too late?- you are not going to watch it because it is too late? well, like with anything. — because it is too late? well, like with anything. i _ because it is too late? well, like with anything, i never— because it is too late? well, like with anything, i never watch - with anything, i never watch anything back. because it's quite frustrating to see something you have seen months before and say, i should have done that. it is inevitable.— should have done that. it is inevitable. ., , ., ., . inevitable. have you ever watched an hinu inevitable. have you ever watched anything back _ inevitable. have you ever watched anything back and _ inevitable. have you ever watched anything back and thought, - inevitable. have you ever watched anything back and thought, i - inevitable. have you ever watched anything back and thought, i did l inevitable. have you ever watched anything back and thought, i did aj anything back and thought, i did a good job there. m0! anything back and thought, i did a good job there-— good job there. no! i don't en'oy watchin: good job there. no! i don't en'oy watching myself. i good job there. no! i don't en'oy watching myself. it i good job there. no! i don't en'oy watching myself. it sounds i good job there. no! i don't enjoy watching myself. it sounds so i watching myself. it sounds so dissatisfying _ watching myself. it sounds so dissatisfying doing _ watching myself. it sounds so dissatisfying doing what - watching myself. it sounds so dissatisfying doing what you l watching myself. it sounds so l dissatisfying doing what you are doing. ! dissatisfying doing what you are doinu. s. �* dissatisfying doing what you are doin., �* dissatisfying doing what you are doinu. �* g, doing. i can't even look at the screen. doing. i can't even look at the screen- you — doing. i can't even look at the screen. you are _ doing. i can't even look at the screen. you are literally - doing. i can't even look at the i screen. you are literally turning away from _ screen. you are literally turning away from looking _ screen. you are literally turning away from looking at _ screen. you are literally turning away from looking at yourself . screen. you are literally turning j away from looking at yourself in screen. you are literally turning - away from looking at yourself in the monitors! ! away from looking at yourself in the monitors! s. �* away from looking at yourself in the monitors! �* , s away from looking at yourself in the monitors! �* , g, g, �* monitors! i can't bear it. i don't know what _ monitors! i can't bear it. i don't know what it — monitors! i can't bear it. i don't know what it is, _ monitors! i can't bear it. i don't know what it is, i— monitors! i can't bear it. i don't know what it is, i don't - monitors! i can't bear it. i don't know what it is, i don't believe | know what it is, i don't believe what i'm doing, because i'm trying to be someone else.— what i'm doing, because i'm trying to be someone else. felicity, do you want to give — to be someone else. felicity, do you want to give him _ to be someone else. felicity, do you want to give him a _ to be someone else. felicity, do you want to give him a bit _ to be someone else. felicity, do you want to give him a bit of— to be someone else. felicity, do you want to give him a bit of support - want to give him a bit of support here? the man sounds like he needs a bit of professional support.— bit of professional support. yeah, i can't see, unfortunately, _ bit of professional support. yeah, i can't see, unfortunately, i- bit of professional support. yeah, i can't see, unfortunately, i can - bit of professional support. yeah, i can't see, unfortunately, i canjust| can't see, unfortunately, i canjust see a _ can't see, unfortunately, i canjust see a screen _ can't see, unfortunately, i canjust see a screen. but first of all, can i take _ see a screen. but first of all, can i take umbrage with something? robert _ i take umbrage with something? robert is — i take umbrage with something? robert is not a veteran, he is a child _ robert is not a veteran, he is a child star— robert is not a veteran, he is a child star made veteran made me, he is still_ child star made veteran made me, he is still in _ child star made veteran made me, he is still in his— child star made veteran made me, he is still in his prime! a child star made veteran made me, he is still in his prime!— is still in his prime! a good point, well main- _ is still in his prime! a good point, well main- ? _ is still in his prime! a good point, well main. ? corel_ is still in his prime! a good point, well main. ? corel made. - is still in his prime! a good point, well main. ? corel made. i- is still in his prime! a good point, well main. ? corel made. iwish l is still in his prime! a good point, well main. ? corel made. iwish i| well main. ? corel made. iwishi was sitting _ well main. ? corel made. iwishi was sitting with _ well main. ? corel made. i wish i was sitting with you _ well main. ? corel made. i wish i was sitting with you there. - well main. ? corel made. i wish i was sitting with you there. what| well main. ? corel made. i wish i. was sitting with you there. what was our was sitting with you there. what was your second — was sitting with you there. what was your second point. _ was sitting with you there. what was your second point. my _ was sitting with you there. what was your second point. my second - was sitting with you there. what was your second point. my second point| your second point. my second point is, ithink your second point. my second point is, i think there _ your second point. my second point is, i think there is _ your second point. my second point is, i think there is a _ your second point. my second point is, i think there is a sort _ your second point. my second point is, i think there is a sort of - is, i think there is a sort of premier— is, i think there is a sort of premier thing, is, i think there is a sort of premierthing, we are is, i think there is a sort of premier thing, we are going to on saturday— premier thing, we are going to on saturday or— premier thing, we are going to on saturday or sunday, or a showing of the film. _ saturday or sunday, or a showing of the film, and i absolutely understand what robert says. i dread looking _ understand what robert says. i dread looking at _ understand what robert says. i dread looking at the bits that i'm in. so i have _ looking at the bits that i'm in. so i have a — looking at the bits that i'm in. so i have a plan, i'm going to go over the mask— i have a plan, i'm going to go over the mask and thenjust put it over the mask and thenjust put it over the -- _ the mask and thenjust put it over the -- i'm — the mask and thenjust put it over the —— i'm going to go with a mask and put _ the —— i'm going to go with a mask and put it— the —— i'm going to go with a mask and put it over my eyes when i am on and put it over my eyes when i am on and then— and put it over my eyes when i am on and then look— and put it over my eyes when i am on and then look at the rest of it, i have _ and then look at the rest of it, i have never— and then look at the rest of it, i have never seen it because we could not go _ have never seen it because we could not go out _ have never seen it because we could not go out front, i can't wait. the ureat not go out front, i can't wait. the great thing _ not go out front, i can't wait. the great thing is... _ not go out front, i can't wait. the great thing is... i— not go out front, i can't wait. the great thing is... i won't _ not go out front, i can't wait. the great thing is... i won't be - not go out front, i can't wait. the | great thing is... i won't be looking at me. great thing is... i won't be looking at me- quite. _ great thing is... i won't be looking at me. quite, i'm _ great thing is... i won't be looking at me. quite, i'm talking! - great thing is... i won't be looking at me. quite, i'm talking! the - great thing is... i won't be looking i at me. quite, i'm talking! the great thin is at me. quite, i'm talking! the great thing is there _ at me. quite, i'm talking! the great thing is there is _ at me. quite, i'm talking! the great thing is there is an _ at me. quite, i'm talking! the great thing is there is an interval, - at me. quite, i'm talking! the great thing is there is an interval, in - thing is there is an interval, in the old days the curtains opened and there would be intermission, so there would be intermission, so there is an interval and you can get an ice cream, go out and have a cup of coffee and glass of wine. flan an ice cream, go out and have a cup of coffee and glass of wine.- of coffee and glass of wine. can we establish something, _ of coffee and glass of wine. can we establish something, felicity? - establish something, felicity? people know you from all of your television you have done in the past, you are new to on stage dancing, this was very new for you for this production?— for this production? well, i have “is ued for this production? well, i have iigged about _ for this production? well, i have iigged about a — for this production? well, i have jigged about a bit _ for this production? well, i have jigged about a bit on _ for this production? well, i have jigged about a bit on stage, - jigged about a bit on stage, probably all my life, there has been dancing _ probably all my life, there has been dancing in— probably all my life, there has been dancing in some kind in classic —— classicat— dancing in some kind in classic —— classical shows, but tap dancing is something — classical shows, but tap dancing is something completely different. and nobody _ something completely different. and nobody who has ever tried, not tap danced. _ nobody who has ever tried, not tap danced, tries to do it, it is not anything — danced, tries to do it, it is not anything like dancing. but it is the most _ anything like dancing. but it is the most wonderful form of dancing that i can imagine. and i absolutely loved _ i can imagine. and i absolutely loved learning it, even now, ijust io loved learning it, even now, ijust go around — loved learning it, even now, ijust go around doing the little tap, and the joy— go around doing the little tap, and the joy comes back to me. i wish i had done — the joy comes back to me. i wish i had done it— the joy comes back to me. i wish i had done it earlier. it is probably my only— had done it earlier. it is probably my only regret of my life, i would say. my only regret of my life, i would sa . �* , . , ., say. i'm so tempted, felicity, to sa , can say. i'm so tempted, felicity, to say. can you _ say. i'm so tempted, felicity, to say, can you show _ say. i'm so tempted, felicity, to say, can you show us _ say. i'm so tempted, felicity, to say, can you show us a - say. i'm so tempted, felicity, to say, can you show us a little - say. i'm so tempted, felicity, to say, can you show us a little bit| say, can you show us a little bit now? but that would probably be very unfair. ., ., ., , ., , unfair. that would not be unfair but ou would unfair. that would not be unfair but you would not _ unfair. that would not be unfair but you would not be _ unfair. that would not be unfair but you would not be able _ unfair. that would not be unfair but you would not be able to _ unfair. that would not be unfair but you would not be able to see - unfair. that would not be unfair but you would not be able to see my i you would not be able to see my feet! _ you would not be able to see my feet! �* .., , you would not be able to see my feet! �* , �*, feet! but we can see robert's feet. 0h, feet! but we can see robert's feet. oh. please! — feet! but we can see robert's feet. oh. please! we _ feet! but we can see robert's feet. oh, please! we did _ feet! but we can see robert's feet. oh, please! we did just _ feet! but we can see robert's feet. oh, please! we did just see - oh, please! we did 'ust see felicity-s * oh, please! we did 'ust see felicity's feet! h oh, please! we did 'ust see felicity's feet! no _ oh, please! we did just see felicity's feet! no shoes, i oh, please! we did just see i felicity's feet! no shoes, that oh, please! we did just see - felicity's feet! no shoes, that is the problem. i felicity's feet! no shoes, that is the problem-— the problem. i and in a shed in london, the problem. i and in a shed in london. you — the problem. i and in a shed in london, you see. _ the problem. i and in a shed in london, you see. she's - the problem. i and in a shed in london, you see. she's got - the problem. i and in a shed in| london, you see. she's got her sli ers london, you see. she's got her slippers on. — london, you see. she's got her slippers on, that _ london, you see. she's got her slippers on, that is _ london, you see. she's got her slippers on, that is why. - london, you see. she's got her slippers on, that is why. i - london, you see. she's got her| slippers on, that is why. i don't, london, you see. she's got her i slippers on, that is why. i don't, i had my feet! _ slippers on, that is why. i don't, i had my feet! all _ slippers on, that is why. i don't, i had my feet! all right, _ slippers on, that is why. i don't, i had my feet! all right, all- slippers on, that is why. i don't, i had my feet! all right, all right, i had my feet! all right, all right, lovel ! had my feet! all right, all right, lovely! good — had my feet! all right, all right, lovely! good flexibility, - had my feet! all right, all right, lovely! good flexibility, can - had my feet! all right, all right, lovely! good flexibility, can i. had my feet! all right, all right, l lovely! good flexibility, can ijust lovely! good flexibility, can i 'ust sa that? lovely! good flexibility, can i 'ust say that? felicity, i lovely! good flexibility, can i 'ust say that? felicity, how i lovely! good flexibility, can ijust say that? felicity, how cheeky i lovely! good flexibility, can ijust say that? felicity, how cheeky is| say that? felicity, how cheeky is robert to you? _ say that? felicity, how cheeky is robert to you? on _ say that? felicity, how cheeky is robert to you? on a _ say that? felicity, how cheeky is robert to you? on a scale - say that? felicity, how cheeky is robert to you? on a scale of - say that? felicity, how cheeky is| robert to you? on a scale of one say that? felicity, how cheeky is i robert to you? on a scale of one to tail -- _ robert to you? on a scale of one to tail -- one — robert to you? on a scale of one to tail -- one to— robert to you? on a scale of one to tail —— one to ten— robert to you? on a scale of one to tail —— one to ten when— robert to you? on a scale of one to tail —— one to ten when you - robert to you? on a scale of one to tail —— one to ten when you were i tail —— one to ten when you were working — tail —— one to ten when you were working together? _ tail —— one to ten when you were working together? he's - tail —— one to ten when you were working together? he's been. tail —— one to ten when you were i working together? he's been cheeky now. ~' working together? he's been cheeky now. ~ . . , working together? he's been cheeky now. ~' ., ., , . working together? he's been cheeky now. ~ ., . now. oh, i think we are as cheeky as we possibly — now. oh, i think we are as cheeky as we possibly can _ now. oh, i think we are as cheeky as we possibly can be _ now. oh, i think we are as cheeky as we possibly can be to _ now. oh, i think we are as cheeky as we possibly can be to each _ now. oh, i think we are as cheeky as we possibly can be to each other. it. we possibly can be to each other. it was a _ we possibly can be to each other. it was a joy— we possibly can be to each other. it was a joy to — we possibly can be to each other. it was a joy to work with him. and i can't _ was a joy to work with him. and i can't wait — was a joy to work with him. and i can't wait to _ was a joy to work with him. and i can't wait to see you, in my mask, on sunday — can't wait to see you, in my mask, on sunday-— on sunday. she is back on script aaain. on sunday. she is back on script again- we _ on sunday. she is back on script again. we have _ on sunday. she is back on script again. we have a _ on sunday. she is back on script again. we have a ball, - on sunday. she is back on script again. we have a ball, we i on sunday. she is back on script again. we have a ball, we had i on sunday. she is back on script i again. we have a ball, we had the same sense _ again. we have a ball, we had the same sense of— again. we have a ball, we had the same sense of humour, _ again. we have a ball, we had the same sense of humour, we i again. we have a ball, we had the same sense of humour, we are i same sense of humour, we are completely incorrect in everything we say _ completely incorrect in everything we say and think that only in privately— we say and think that only in privately to each other. it has been a joy _ privately to each other. it has been a joy he— privately to each other. it has been a 'o . , ., ., ._ privately to each other. it has been a ioy-_ you - privately to each other. it has been i a joy.— you know. a joy. he is nodding away. you know, mr lindsay. — a joy. he is nodding away. you know, mr lindsay, felicity _ a joy. he is nodding away. you know, mr lindsay, felicity has _ a joy. he is nodding away. you know, mr lindsay, felicity has established l mr lindsay, felicity has established you are _ mr lindsay, felicity has established you are not — mr lindsay, felicity has established you are not a — mr lindsay, felicity has established you are not a veteran, _ mr lindsay, felicity has established you are not a veteran, you - mr lindsay, felicity has established you are not a veteran, you are i mr lindsay, felicity has established you are not a veteran, you are a i you are not a veteran, you are a whippersnapper, _ you are not a veteran, you are a whippersnapper. you _ you are not a veteran, you are a whippersnapper, you should i you are not a veteran, you are a i whippersnapper, you should show you are not a veteran, you are a - whippersnapper, you should show her more respect — whippersnapper, you should show her more respect-— more respect. sorry, sheshe, absolutely. — more respect. sorry, sheshe, absolutely, sorry, _ more respect. sorry, sheshe, absolutely, sorry, miss- more respect. sorry, sheshe, i absolutely, sorry, miss kendal, carry on! do absolutely, sorry, miss kendal, car on! , ., absolutely, sorry, miss kendal, car on! , . carry on! do you still have your classes carry on! do you still have your glasses on? — carry on! do you still have your glasses on? i _ carry on! do you still have your glasses on? i know _ carry on! do you still have your glasses on? i know you - carry on! do you still have your glasses on? i know you always| carry on! do you still have your- glasses on? i know you always wear them. glasses on? i know you always wear them- some — glasses on? i know you always wear them- some of _ glasses on? i know you always wear them. some of us _ glasses on? i know you always wear them. some of us have _ glasses on? i know you always wear them. some of us have travelled i glasses on? i know you always wear them. some of us have travelled upj them. some of us have travelled up here, them. some of us have travelled up here. darling- _ them. some of us have travelled up here, darling. we _ them. some of us have travelled up here, darling. we are _ them. some of us have travelled up here, darling. we are not— them. some of us have travelled up here, darling. we are not doing i here, darling. we are not doing zoom, you know. i here, darling. we are not doing zoom, you know.— here, darling. we are not doing zoom, ou know. ,, ., , ., zoom, you know. i know, but i cannot see ou! zoom, you know. i know, but i cannot see you! how — zoom, you know. i know, but i cannot see you! how does _ zoom, you know. i know, but i cannot see you! how does she _ zoom, you know. i know, but i cannot see you! how does she know- zoom, you know. i know, but i cannot see you! how does she know that i i see you! how does she know that i have not see you! how does she know that i have got glasses — see you! how does she know that i have got glasses on? _ see you! how does she know that i have got glasses on? i _ see you! how does she know that i have got glasses on? i feel- see you! how does she know that i have got glasses on? i feel like i have got glasses on? i feel like we're getting — have got glasses on? i feel like we're getting a _ have got glasses on? i feel like we're getting a little _ have got glasses on? i feel like we're getting a little glimpse i have got glasses on? i feel like| we're getting a little glimpse of what it must have been like in rehearsals. brute what it must have been like in rehearsals-— what it must have been like in rehearsals. ~ ., ., , , rehearsals. we had a dressing room next door to — rehearsals. we had a dressing room next door to each _ rehearsals. we had a dressing room next door to each other— rehearsals. we had a dressing room next door to each other so - rehearsals. we had a dressing room next door to each other so you i rehearsals. we had a dressing room next door to each other so you can i next door to each other so you can imagine what was like. it next door to each other so you can imagine what was like.— imagine what was like. it was very hard to start _ imagine what was like. it was very hard to start with, _ imagine what was like. it was very hard to start with, i _ imagine what was like. it was very hard to start with, i can _ imagine what was like. it was very hard to start with, i can tell- imagine what was like. it was very hard to start with, i can tell you. i hard to start with, i can tell you. we had — hard to start with, i can tell you. we had a — hard to start with, i can tell you. we had a very tricky time at the bay beginning _ we had a very tricky time at the bay beginning when we were being —— when we were— beginning when we were being —— when we were at— beginning when we were being —— when we were at the beginning because we were still— we were at the beginning because we were still in— we were at the beginning because we were still in lockdown. one of the 'oys were still in lockdown. one of the joys that— were still in lockdown. one of the joys that actors have is going into each _ joys that actors have is going into each other's dressing room and chatting — each other's dressing room and chatting and having a glass of wine, everybody _ chatting and having a glass of wine, everybody mingles with everyone else _ everybody mingles with everyone else we — everybody mingles with everyone else. we were under strict lockdown rules— else. we were under strict lockdown rules so— else. we were under strict lockdown rules so we — else. we were under strict lockdown rules so we could only meet in the corridor _ rules so we could only meet in the corridor so— rules so we could only meet in the corridor. so as we progress and it became _ corridor. so as we progress and it became safer, we really relax stop yemen— .canwe . can we mention the preview? she has no idea — . can we mention the preview? she has no idea that _ . can we mention the preview? she has no idea that we _ . can we mention the preview? she has no idea that we are _ . can we mention the preview? she has no idea that we are talking. it i has no idea that we are talking. it is like we are linking earth with space! you can talk now and she can hear you. it’s space! you can talk now and she can hear ou. v . , space! you can talk now and she can hear ou. v ., , ., space! you can talk now and she can hear ou. �*, ., , ., ., hear you. it's really important to know that _ hear you. it's really important to know that we — hear you. it's really important to know that we never _ hear you. it's really important to know that we never thought i hear you. it's really important to know that we never thought we | hear you. it's really important to i know that we never thought we would open the _ know that we never thought we would open the show, four months we thought— open the show, four months we thought it — open the show, four months we thought it would not happen. when it did, the _ thought it would not happen. when it did, the first preview was the most extraordinary night of my life. i cannot— extraordinary night of my life. i cannot believe the emotions that went— cannot believe the emotions that went on— cannot believe the emotions that went on backstage and indeed the audience — went on backstage and indeed the audience. when you look around the theatre. _ audience. when you look around the theatre. the — audience. when you look around the theatre, the orchestra, none of them had worked _ theatre, the orchestra, none of them had worked for two years. and they had worked for two years. and they had a _ had worked for two years. and they had a very— had worked for two years. and they had a very strong belief that perhaps— had a very strong belief that perhaps we would never work in the theatre _ perhaps we would never work in the theatre again. can perhaps we would never work in the theatre again-— theatre again. can you give us a bit of a song? — theatre again. can you give us a bit of a song? with — theatre again. can you give us a bit of a song? with a _ theatre again. can you give us a bit of a song? with a bit _ theatre again. can you give us a bit of a song? with a bit of— theatre again. can you give us a bit of a song? with a bit of tap - of a song? with a bit of tap dancing?— of a song? with a bit of tap dancin: ? ., , ., ., , dancing? that is not a very good se . ue, dancing? that is not a very good segue, charlie. _ dancing? that is not a very good segue, charlie. you _ dancing? that is not a very good segue, charlie. you are - dancing? that is not a very good segue, charlie. you are here! i i segue, charlie. you are here! i can't remember, _ segue, charlie. you are here! i can't remember, i _ segue, charlie. you are here! i can't remember, i finished i segue, charlie. you are here! i can't remember, i finished the | segue, charlie. you are here! i i can't remember, i finished the show weeks _ can't remember, i finished the show weeks ago. — can't remember, i finished the show weeks ago, miss kendal will do it. no, no _ weeks ago, miss kendal will do it. no, no. actually, it's the funny thing, i tend to get the first line of any show i have ever done, you do put in storage there, the memories are there but you due to get the lines, people say, what with the 30 scene? i can't remember, i think i came on but i can't remember the first line. —— people say, what was the first scene? i first line. -- people say, what was the first scene?— the first scene? i know friendship. go on. # - as - # friendship, as — # friendship, friendship. go on. # friendshi - , friendshi -. . go on. #friendshi--,friendshi. ., , # friendship, friendship. that is all i # friendship, friendship. that is all! know- _ # friendship, friendship. that is all i know. it _ # friendship, friendship. that is all i know. it is _ # friendship, friendship. that is all! know. it is all— # friendship, friendship. that is all i know. it is all about - all i know. it is all about friendship. i alli know. it is all about friendship.— all! know. it is all about friendship. all! know. it is all about friendshi -. , ., ., all! know. it is all about friendshi. , ., ., , friendship. i tell you what, it says something _ friendship. i tell you what, it says something about _ friendship. i tell you what, it says something about you _ friendship. i tell you what, it says something about you to _ friendship. i tell you what, it says something about you to when i friendship. i tell you what, it says i something about you to when charlie is the _ something about you to when charlie is the one _ something about you to when charlie is the one who — something about you to when charlie is the one who is _ something about you to when charlie is the one who is having _ something about you to when charlie is the one who is having to _ is the one who is having to facilitate _ is the one who is having to facilitate the _ is the one who is having to| facilitate the technicalities. is the one who is having to i facilitate the technicalities. i think facilitate the technicalities. think it all went facilitate the technicalities.“ think it all went swimmingly. felicity, can ijust say, a good selection of pens next year. i felicity, can ijust say, a good selection of pens next year. i like a lot of pens- _ selection of pens next year. i like a lot of pens. it _ selection of pens next year. i like a lot of pens. it is _ selection of pens next year. i like a lot of pens. it is in _ selection of pens next year. i like a lot of pens. it is in an _ selection of pens next year. i like a lot of pens. it is in an ex - selection of pens next year. i like a lot of pens. it is in an ex candle cup. _ a lot of pens. it is in an ex candle cup. you— a lot of pens. it is in an ex candle cup, you cannot have made too many pens or— cup, you cannot have made too many pens or pieces of paper. quite ri . ht, pens or pieces of paper. quite right. moral — pens or pieces of paper. quite right, moral for _ pens or pieces of paper. quite right, moral for the _ pens or pieces of paper. quite right, moral for the day. i pens or pieces of paper. quite l right, moralfor the day. lovely pens or pieces of paper. quite i right, moral for the day. lovely to right, moralfor the day. lovely to see you, thank you very much as to why did you bring a notebook and pen? i why did you bring a notebook and en? . ,., why did you bring a notebook and en? ., , ., , , . , why did you bring a notebook and en? ., ,, . , ., pen? i am writing some speeches for christmas. new _ pen? i am writing some speeches for christmas. new thoughts _ pen? i am writing some speeches for christmas. new thoughts while i pen? i am writing some speeches for christmas. new thoughts while you i christmas. new thoughts while you were bein: christmas. new thoughts while you were being interviewed _ christmas. new thoughts while you were being interviewed on - christmas. new thoughts while you were being interviewed on national television. — were being interviewed on national television. you _ were being interviewed on national television, you would _ were being interviewed on national television, you would write - were being interviewed on national television, you would write a - television, you would write a speech? _ television, you would write a seech? , ., ,, . , speech? yes, i wrote some speeches while felicity — speech? yes, i wrote some speeches while felicity was _ speech? yes, i wrote some speeches while felicity was rabbiting _ speech? yes, i wrote some speeches while felicity was rabbiting on. if i while felicity was rabbiting on. if you lost track, we are talking about anything co! i you lost track, we are talking about anything co!— you lost track, we are talking about anything co!_ lti anything co! i miss you, robert! it is in cinemas _ anything co! i miss you, robert! it is in cinemas from _ anything co! i miss you, robert! it is in cinemas from sunday. - anything co! i miss you, robert! it is in cinemas from sunday. they i anything co! i miss you, robert! it. is in cinemas from sunday. they are both in in it — is in cinemas from sunday. they are both in in it and _ is in cinemas from sunday. they are both in in it and they _ is in cinemas from sunday. they are both in in it and they had _ is in cinemas from sunday. they are both in in it and they had a - is in cinemas from sunday. they are both in in it and they had a hit! i both in in it and they had a hit! back— both in in it and they had a hit! back with — both in in it and they had a hit! back with the _ both in in it and they had a hit! back with the headlines - both in in it and they had a hit! back with the headlines in - both in in it and they had a hit! back with the headlines in a i both in in it and they had a hit! - back with the headlines in a minute, we will_ back with the headlines in a minute, we williust— back with the headlines in a minute, we willjust reset! _ back with the headlines in a minute, we willjust reset! —— _ back with the headlines in a minute, we willjust reset! —— they— back with the headlines in a minute, we willjust reset! —— they had - back with the headlines in a minute, we willjust reset! —— they had a - we willjust reset! —— they had a hoot! _ good morning welcome to breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. our headlines today... concern from the uk government as a new varient of coronavirus is disovered in south africa. it may be more transmissible than the delta variant and the vaccines that we currently have may be less effective against it. flights from six african countries are suspended with immediate effect — travellers from the region face ten days of strict quarantine. france cancels meetings on the channel migrant crisis with home secretary priti patel — after the prime minister calls on france to take back people who cross to the uk. a new law to ensure better support for people with down syndrome — we hear the hopes of some of those who could benefit. good morning, can black friday deliver a big boost for retail? i will be finding out how plans are coping with demand, along with their robots. i will have reports on the stone due to come across the country in the next 21! hours. all the details of the weather later on. everything will be set in place. it's friday the 26th of november. our main story. several southern african countries have been placed on the travel red list, amid warnings over a new coronavirus variant of "serious concern". there are fears it could be more transmissible and make vaccines less effective — although scientists say it could take weeks to know for sure. so far only a small number of cases have so far been confirmed in africa and none in the uk. south africa has said it is concerned that the decision may have been "rushed" and will try to persuade the uk government to reconsider. here's our medical editor, fergus walsh. the speed at which new and stringent travel restrictions have been imposed show just how seriously this variant is being taken. between five and 700 travellers arrive in the uk from south africa every day. that's where most of the cases have so far been identified and where it appears the variant may be driving a new wave of infection. it may be more transmissible than the delta variant. and the vaccines that we currently have may be less effective against it. now, to be clear, we have not detected any of this new variant in the uk at this point in time, but we've always been clear that we will take action to protect the progress that we have made. the new variant was formally identified only three days ago. genetic analysis shows it has twice the number of mutations as delta, the dominant variant worldwide, including around 30 changes to the spike protein which the virus uses to break into human cells. this makes it dramatically different from the original wuhan strain, we have only known about this variant for a few days. all we know is it may be spreading more rapidly. i hasten to say this as might be because all of these mutations, but right now we don't have any evidence it is more severe. but we are working with the situation where there is a lot of unknowns that need to be resolved pretty quickly. this makes it dramatically different from the original wuhan strain, on which all current vaccines are based. but crucially, there is no evidence yet the variant causes more severe disease or that it makes vaccines less effective. it will take two to three weeks before laboratory tests can show whether this is another defining moment in the pandemic, or a false alarm. fergus walsh, bbc news. france has cancelled a planned meeting with the uk this weekend, in protest over a letter published by the prime minister on the migrant crisis. priti patel had been scheduled to attend a meeting of european ministers on sunday, 27 people drowned whilst trying to cross the english channel on wednesday. our foreign correspondent jessica parker is in calais now. what is happening in terms of what the french have said today and how this has developed?— the french have said today and how this has developed? quite remarkable development — this has developed? quite remarkable development in _ this has developed? quite remarkable development in the _ this has developed? quite remarkable development in the last _ this has developed? quite remarkable development in the last hour. - this has developed? quite remarkable development in the last hour. the - development in the last hour. the context is, borisjohnson sent out a letter publicly, he treated it last night, a letter he had written to emmanuel macron, the french president. a long letter, but in 80 calls for certain actions like joint uk french patrols along the coast, returns policy to be agreed between the two countries bilaterally in the absence of an agreement with the eu after the uk has left the european union, that would see people who have crossed illegally to the uk returned here. it set out various other things as well. it seems to have caused a considerable irritation in paris. i think partly because it was made public because a french government spokesman has been speaking this morning saying it is a letter that is poor in substance, out of place in form. all because it doesn't respect the work done by our coastguards. the letter has caused great annoyance and as a result, priti patel, the uk home secretary is no longer invited to this key meeting on sunday. it will go ahead without air with other european ministers. this isjust a couple of days after 27 people tragically lost their lives in the channel. there has been talk of cooperation to prevent another tragedy, but that co—operation between britain and france already appears to be crumbling. france already appears to be crumbling-— france already appears to be crumblinu. ,, . ~' let's speak now to our political correspondent damian grammaticas. people listening to you need to take a breath because there is quite a bit of diplomacy, rowing happening and it is onlyjust gone eight o'clock. and it is only 'ust gone eight o'clock. , , ., , ., , o'clock. yes, this has all blown up this morning _ o'clock. yes, this has all blown up this morning into _ o'clock. yes, this has all blown up this morning into this _ o'clock. yes, this has all blown up this morning into this row - o'clock. yes, this has all blown up this morning into this row now, i this morning into this row now, between the two sides. what we have is the letter from the prime minister which was sent to emmanuel macron. asjess was saying he lays out the different point about what he thinks could be done and what the uk might be offering here. she was saying talking aboutjoint patrols, more technology, a return agreement to send people back to france. and then the french cancellation coming this morning. what we have had in response to that cancellation is the uk side. first of all, we have had number ten downing st saying that their concern is to prevent the further loss of life and the offer to the french still stands. the most important thing is we work together to stop lives being lost. the transport secretary, grant shapps has been on this morning, he was asked about this and this is what he said about the french withdrawal of their invitation. m0 said about the french withdrawal of their invitation.— their invitation. no nation can tackle this — their invitation. no nation can tackle this alone, _ their invitation. no nation can tackle this alone, so - their invitation. no nation can tackle this alone, so i - their invitation. no nation can tackle this alone, so i hope i their invitation. no nation can l tackle this alone, so i hope that the french— tackle this alone, so i hope that the french will reconsider. it is in our interest, _ the french will reconsider. it is in our interest, it is in their interest— our interest, it is in their interest and in the interests of those — interest and in the interests of those being people trafficked to the uk and _ those being people trafficked to the uk and these tragic scenes of people losing _ uk and these tragic scenes of people losing their lives. we need to work together— losing their lives. we need to work together on it and that is the right way forward. together on it and that is the right way forward-— together on it and that is the right way forward. number ten has said the have way forward. number ten has said they have made _ way forward. number ten has said they have made these _ way forward. number ten has said they have made these points - way forward. number ten has said they have made these points in . way forward. number ten has said | they have made these points in the letter privately to the french before and they said it is for them to explain a letter that is perfectly reasonable has led to this response. i think the issue is, number one, making such a letter public has riled the french side. the reason for that? possibly, the elements in this had already, as you said, been put to the french and been rejected. from the french side this looks like they may be saying this looks like they may be saying this puts them in a difficult position, they asked to accept things they had already said no to. asjessica things they had already said no to. as jessica was things they had already said no to. asjessica was saying, the tone of the letter, the french pointing out. the letter talks about things like unless we increase our efforts today, other tragedies will happen. that may sound too french is that they may be being blamed. we know in they may be being blamed. we know in the past, they have been very sensitive about that, about being seen to be blamed. the letter talks about a joint moral commitment and legal obligation to save lives through un protocols. the french, i think, might also say they are trying to tackle their legal obligations. the difficulty for the uk government now is where to go forward with this. asked about that, what uk government spokespeople say, wait and see the offer to meet still stands and as grant shapps was saying, he hopes the french will reconsider and priti patel can go to that meeting. reconsider and priti patel can go to that meeting-— reconsider and priti patel can go to that meetinu. ., ., ~ , ., , that meeting. damian, thank you very much. a 24—year—old man has been charged with murder in connection with the disappearance of teenager bobbi—anne mcleod. officers searching for the 18—year—old found a woman's body on tuesday. cody ackland will appear at the magistrates court later today. in the last few minutes merseyside police say a 12—year—old girl has died after being stabbed in liverpool city centre yesterday. police were called atjust after 8.30 last night to reports of an assault. the victim, ava white, was taken to hospital, but died a short time later. four men aged between 13 and 15 have been arrested on suspicion of murder. merseyside police have said anyone with any information that get in touch with them and they will be providing extra patrols in the city to provide reassurance. just looking at the statement, they say the city center was very busy before the incident and the lights on church street had been officially switched on earlier and they are appealing to anyone on the street, church street he saw the incident and they have captured it on their mobile phones to come forward. severe weather conditions heading our way, now we've got the details. areas of greatest concern, scotland and north—east england. could be damaged and rough seas around and they could be some travel and power disruption. that is later today and into tomorrow. 0ut there at the moment the wind is starting to pick up moment the wind is starting to pick up across the country. if you're heading out, outbreaks of rain across south of england and wales. cold air follows and notice parts of northern ireland and scotland, showers turning to snow, falling to lower levels across parts of scotland and later today across the north—east we could see blizzards in the mountains. showers continue across northern ireland and england and wales, mixture of sunshine and showers, hailand and wales, mixture of sunshine and showers, hail and sleet in that later. feeling cold out there this afternoon than this morning. by the end of the date the winds really start to pick up, mainly across the north and the west initially as we go into tonight. east of scotland, north—east england as the strongest of the gusts with rain around the coasts, sleet and snow in line, a covering of snow over the pennines. sleet and snow in southern areas tomorrow morning and it will be a cold night. into saturday, it will be a story of strong to gale force winds for many, strongest of the winds for many, strongest of the winds developing across eastern areas, rain, sleet and snow and the odd shower in the west and many will be dry and bright but it will be cold. these are the temperatures, it is going to feel subzero out there. a full forecast in half an hour. england could become the first country in the world to introduce legislation, which would mean better support for people with down syndrome. mps will debate the proposed bill in the commons later today. if passed, it would mean that public bodies like councils, schools and job centres would be required to specifically recognise the needs of people with the condition. 0ur disability affairs correspondent nikki fox reports. pull, pull, pull. tom is pumping iron at the gym. yeah, one more. the 17—year—old has down syndrome. he is working towards a career as a fitness instructor, and he's already whipping me into shape. is that a cheating sit—up? yeah. what if i let go with my hands? yes, that's better. is that better? yes. eight, nice, tom, nine, last one. do you feel like you've got a lot fitter? yes, i get fit all the time. in my muscles, in my stomach, so it's been, like, it's been really good, really. but being a lean, mean fighting machine is not all tom wants from life. what is your dream, tom? i want to be a fitness coach, and i want to get a wife. a baby, a dog, a beard, and management, and a new flat. in no particular order! yes, absolutely. at one stage he wanted to ride a motorbike, which i hope he's dropped. so he's keen to do those things. i'm a huge believer in, it's about opportunities. and that's what, as a parent, that's what we try and provide any child. but i think for the child with down syndrome, you have to work harder. 0k, do you want a slice of cake, tom? yes. here we go. the aim of the bill is to make life easier for thousands of people like tom. are you doing any sports? it will ensure they get the right support when it comes to education, employment, health and social care. for too long, people have very much been marginalised from society and really there's been tremendous stigma towards people with down syndrome. i think the bill isjust, you know, it's the beginning. it's not going to solve everything overnight, but it will at least recognise people with down syndrome and i'm particularly excited that people with down syndrome will actually have an opportunity, have a platform to be heard at westminster. given all the arguments around down syndrome, which, as you know, are complex, i think to get recognition in the law for the first time is important in itself. there's been such an incredible level of support, i've now got support from all parties in the house of commons, and let me say at the moment that's a fairly rare thing to get. are you surprised it's taken this long, liam? a bit. but then it's not happened anywhere at all. in fact, if we pass this bill into law, we will be the first country in the world. the reason that i fell in love with him is because he's absolutely gorgeous. heidi and james have been married for over a year. they've got life sussed. i've got severaljobs. so i work at british heart foundation. i'm volunteering for coventry city of culture. and i also work in the cafe on friday. heidi is a leading campaigner for people with down syndrome. she is backing the bill because she knows just how important it is. it's all about making it easier for people with down syndrome. that's all we want, we want easy lives for them. from the start of their life to the end of their life. and that's what i want forjames, and for anyone. i don't want you to see us as a problem, i want you to see us as heidi. because our syndrome doesn't define us. i'm heidi, i'm not down syndrome. i'm heidi. what would you hope for, for other people with down syndrome in the future? that they would work hard, they'd get married and enjoy life. it is estimated there are around a7,000 people with down syndrome in the uk. thanks, tom! as it stands, the bill only applies to england, but it's hoped if it's passed, other nations will follow suit. well done! nikki fox, bbc news. we'rejoined now byjulie and andrew duff and their sonjosh, who has down syndrome. it morning. good morning. we want to talk to josh. — it morning. good morning. we want to talk to josh. tell _ it morning. good morning. we want to talk to josh, tell me _ it morning. good morning. we want to talk to josh, tell me about _ it morning. good morning. we want to talk to josh, tell me about what - talk to josh, tell me about what things will help you in the future, about what things can be done to help you? that was comprehensive, wasn't it? they all_ that was comprehensive, wasn't it? they all waiting with baited breath to know _ they all waiting with baited breath to know what you said. things that would _ to know what you said. things that would help— to know what you said. things that would helpjosh in the future, you like doing — would helpjosh in the future, you like doing football, don't you and he likes— like doing football, don't you and he likes gymnastics and rugby. what would _ he likes gymnastics and rugby. what would helpjosh in the future is if we had _ would helpjosh in the future is if we had more work opportunities for him. we had more work opportunities for him he's _ we had more work opportunities for him. he's now and he comes to the end of— him. he's now and he comes to the end of his _ him. he's now and he comes to the end of his education when he is 19, 20. end of his education when he is 19, 20 that _ end of his education when he is 19, 20 that is — end of his education when he is 19, 20 that is a — end of his education when he is 19, 20. that is a real fear to know what he's going — 20. that is a real fear to know what he's going to — 20. that is a real fear to know what he's going to be doing once he leaves — he's going to be doing once he leaves education. sadly, the statistics— leaves education. sadly, the statistics around how many people with down — statistics around how many people with down syndrome go into paid employment once they finish education is really quite low. what is happening today in parliament with the — is happening today in parliament with the down syndrome bill and doctor— with the down syndrome bill and doctor liam fox will hopefully help josh ih _ doctor liam fox will hopefully help josh in the — doctor liam fox will hopefully help josh in the future, just make that journey— josh in the future, just make that journey a — josh in the future, just make that journey a little bit easier. how concerned _ journey a little bit easier. how concerned have _ journey a little bit easier. how concerned have you _ journey a little bit easier. fin? concerned have you been up journey a little bit easier. fir>?.-h? concerned have you been up until now? ~ , ., . , ., now? when your child is an education. _ now? when your child is an education, it _ now? when your child is an education, it is _ now? when your child is an education, it is like - now? when your child is an education, it is like any - now? when your child is an | education, it is like any child now? when your child is an - education, it is like any child in education. _ education, it is like any child in education, but _ education, it is like any child in education, but as _ education, it is like any child in education, but as they - education, it is like any child in education, but as they leave i education, but as they leave education _ education, but as they leave educationjosh_ education, but as they leave educationjosh will- education, but as they leave educationjosh will go- education, but as they leave education josh will go into . education, but as they leave i educationjosh will go into high school— educationjosh will go into high school college, _ educationjosh will go into high school college, sixth— educationjosh will go into high school college, sixth form i educationjosh will go into high school college, sixth form next education josh will go into high i school college, sixth form next year and then _ school college, sixth form next year and then the — school college, sixth form next year and then the year— school college, sixth form next year and then the year after— school college, sixth form next year and then the year after that, - school college, sixth form next year and then the year after that, what l and then the year after that, what does _ and then the year after that, what does that— and then the year after that, what does that mean _ and then the year after that, what does that mean for— and then the year after that, what does that mean for a _ and then the year after that, what does that mean for a parent - and then the year after that, what does that mean for a parent of i and then the year after that, what does that mean for a parent of a i does that mean for a parent of a child _ does that mean for a parent of a child who — does that mean for a parent of a child who is _ does that mean for a parent of a child who is 18, _ does that mean for a parent of a child who is 18, 19? _ does that mean for a parent of a child who is 18, 19? it _ does that mean for a parent of a child who is 18, 19? it is - does that mean for a parent of a child who is 18, 19? it is that. does that mean for a parent of a i child who is 18, 19? it is that root out a _ child who is 18, 19? it is that root out a full—time _ child who is 18, 19? it is that root out a full—time education - child who is 18, 19? it is that root out a full—time education and i child who is 18, 19? it is that root out a full—time education and the structure — out a full—time education and the structure that— out a full—time education and the structure that really— out a full—time education and the structure that really drops - out a full—time education and the structure that really drops off. i structure that really drops off. those — structure that really drops off. those are _ structure that really drops off. those are the _ structure that really drops off. those are the practical- structure that really drops off. j those are the practical things, structure that really drops off. i those are the practical things, but there is alsojosh, talk to me how people interact with you, has that got better? are people more aware of how to talk to you and recognise any differences and just be cool about it? everything that is important to him, his mum. _ everything that is important to him, his mum. his— everything that is important to him, his mum, his dad and cameron. but things— his mum, his dad and cameron. but things have — his mum, his dad and cameron. but things have improved over the years, josh is— things have improved over the years, josh is 15_ things have improved over the years, josh is 15 and — things have improved over the years, josh is 15 and the awareness of down syndrome _ josh is 15 and the awareness of down syndrome in — josh is 15 and the awareness of down syndrome in the community is better than it— syndrome in the community is better than it ever— syndrome in the community is better than it ever was. lots of inclusion, even _ than it ever was. lots of inclusion, even on _ than it ever was. lots of inclusion, even on the — than it ever was. lots of inclusion, even on the bbc with the fantastic george. _ even on the bbc with the fantastic george, the national down syndrome policy— george, the national down syndrome policy group who helped get this policy— policy group who helped get this policy together. line of duty and representation have improved, it is fantastic— representation have improved, it is fantastic that rose is signing on stricttv — fantastic that rose is signing on strictly. we use are signing a lot to help — strictly. we use are signing a lot to help understand what it is. use market on sign — to help understand what it is. lise: market on sign language? to help understand what it is. use market on sign language? we i to help understand what it is. usej market on sign language? we use market on sign language? we use market and. _ market on sign language? we use market and, yes. _ market on sign language? we use market and, yes. we _ market on sign language? we use market and, yes. we have - market on sign language? we use market and, yes. we have a i market on sign language? we use market and, yes. we have a long| market on sign language? we use i market and, yes. we have a long way to go. _ market and, yes. we have a long way to go. like _ market and, yes. we have a long way to go. like all— market and, yes. we have a long way to go, like all these things. my elder son _ to go, like all these things. my elder son who is 20, has he ever had any prejudice — elder son who is 20, has he ever had any prejudice or— elder son who is 20, has he ever had any prejudice or comments, - elder son who is 20, has he ever had any prejudice or comments, and i any prejudice or comments, and canteron— any prejudice or comments, and cameron said _ any prejudice or comments, and cameron said he _ any prejudice or comments, and cameron said he has _ any prejudice or comments, and cameron said he has never- any prejudice or comments, and cameron said he has never hadl any prejudice or comments, and| cameron said he has never had a thing. _ cameron said he has never had a thing. never— cameron said he has never had a thing, never had _ cameron said he has never had a thing, never had any— cameron said he has never had a thing, never had any experiencel cameron said he has never had a i thing, never had any experience of that _ thing, never had any experience of that it _ thing, never had any experience of that it is — thing, never had any experience of that it is a — thing, never had any experience of that. it is a massive _ thing, never had any experience of that. it is a massive statement- thing, never had any experience of. that. it is a massive statement from when _ that. it is a massive statement from when we _ that. it is a massive statement from when we were — that. it is a massive statement from when we were growing _ that. it is a massive statement from when we were growing up— that. it is a massive statement from when we were growing up and - that. it is a massive statement from when we were growing up and some that. it is a massive statement from i when we were growing up and some of those _ when we were growing up and some of those negative — when we were growing up and some of those negative perceptions _ when we were growing up and some of those negative perceptions and - those negative perceptions and comments _ those negative perceptions and comments were _ those negative perceptions and comments were around - those negative perceptions and comments were around in- those negative perceptions and i comments were around in society. sitting _ comments were around in society. sitting here — comments were around in society. sitting here and _ comments were around in society. sitting here and chatting - comments were around in society. sitting here and chatting to - comments were around in society. sitting here and chatting to josh i sitting here and chatting tojosh and yu at the same time, missing into whatjosh is saying and helping us understand, because you have lots to say, haven't you josh? it is a practical illustration of some of the challenges he faced as a family, josh faces all the time? ids, the challenges he faced as a family, josh faces all the time? its. lat the challenges he faced as a family, josh faces all the time?— josh faces all the time? a lot of that with josh _ josh faces all the time? a lot of that with josh is _ josh faces all the time? a lot of that with josh is his _ josh faces all the time? a lot of that with josh is his delayed i that withjosh is his delayed speech _ that withjosh is his delayed speech the _ that withjosh is his delayed speech. the absolute - that with josh is his delayed - speech. the absolute communication tool we _ speech. the absolute communication tool we are _ speech. the absolute communication tool we are using _ speech. the absolute communication tool we are using today— speech. the absolute communication tool we are using today is _ speech. the absolute communication tool we are using today is delayed. i tool we are using today is delayed. it is tool we are using today is delayed. it is great — tool we are using today is delayed. it is great we — tool we are using today is delayed. it is great we can— tool we are using today is delayed. it is great we can interpret - tool we are using today is delayed. it is great we can interpret the i it is great we can interpret the conversation _ it is great we can interpret the conversation we're _ it is great we can interpret the conversation we're having, i it is great we can interpret thej conversation we're having, but it is great we can interpret the . conversation we're having, but if you ask— conversation we're having, but if you ask him _ conversation we're having, but if you ask him to— conversation we're having, but if you ask him to go— conversation we're having, but if you ask him to go to _ conversation we're having, but if you ask him to go to a _ conversation we're having, but if you ask him to go to a shop i conversation we're having, but if you ask him to go to a shop or. conversation we're having, but ifj you ask him to go to a shop or in conversation we're having, but if. you ask him to go to a shop or in a different— you ask him to go to a shop or in a different environment— you ask him to go to a shop or in a different environment where - you ask him to go to a shop or in a different environment where that. different environment where that support— different environment where that support isn't— different environment where that support isn't there, _ different environment where that support isn't there, it _ different environment where that support isn't there, it is- different environment where that support isn't there, it is a - different environment where that support isn't there, it is a big i support isn't there, it is a big step — support isn't there, it is a big ste -. ., support isn't there, it is a big ste. ., , support isn't there, it is a big ste. . , ., , step. that is where are helping the bill will -- — step. that is where are helping the bill will -- hepe — step. that is where are helping the bill will -- hope the _ step. that is where are helping the bill will -- hope the bill— step. that is where are helping the bill will -- hope the bill will- step. that is where are helping the bill will -- hope the bill will help i bill will —— hope the bill will help with that — bill will —— hope the bill will help with that. if we can make that more accessible _ with that. if we can make that more accessible to teachers and to divide the population, they know that they are visual— the population, they know that they are visual learners and even if we .et are visual learners and even if we get signing — are visual learners and even if we get signing more integrated into the mainstream, it will help children like josh— mainstream, it will help children like josh in the future. it mainstream, it will help children like josh in the future.— like josh in the future. it was funny when _ like josh in the future. it was funny when you _ like josh in the future. it was funny when you arrived, i like josh in the future. it was i funny when you arrived, because so excited to be on the sofa, i am most days. but then you realise this charlie wasn't the charlie you wanted to see this money. charlie being your gymnastics coach. when are you next see him? this charlie even come close?— even come close? yes. laughter _ even come close? yes. laughter. _ laughter. i am so chuffed, it has made my day. lovely to see you all here today and a special thank you tojosh. good luck going further, let's hope it does make a difference, a practical difference. �* , ., , does make a difference, a practical difference. �*, .,, does make a difference, a practical difference. �*, , , ., difference. let's hope so, yes and it all goes — difference. let's hope so, yes and it all goes through. _ difference. let's hope so, yes and it all goes through. thank - difference. let's hope so, yes and it all goes through. thank you. i difference. let's hope so, yes and | it all goes through. thank you. we have it all goes through. thank you. have had so it all goes through. thank you. e have had so much fun with ben this morning because he has been around these robots who are avoiding him. look, they are dodging him. don't try and get in their way, they are busy! ben is in the giant boots warehouse. it is massive. good morning, welcome to burton upon trent and we have these amazing robots to show you. they are doing the legwork of a lot of people who work here, 220 of these robots and they are pretty nifty. they pick the stuff off the shelf, but the idea is they can't crash into humans, so they can't crash into humans, so they will find their way around. they would go to the shelf, the humans pick it off the shelf they put in there and the robot takes it to the packing. 0n the normal day they will do about 28 miles around this place, but the team tell me these things will go about 35 miles a day over the black friday weekend. because it is pretty busy, as you would expect. we are set to spend £9 billion over the course of the weekend. it's notjust online that will do well, but also high streets and retail parks. we have everything here, baby formula, all sorts of stuff on the shelves. they are making sure they have got everything they need to get to the right people at the right time. in addition there has been a lot of issues about supply chain disruption. i spoke to the boss about the earlier and i will talk to the team here about how they are coping. but interestingly, with so much money being spent every weekend, the question is will we do it online or on the high street. we nip to manchester yesterday to ask if they are spending this weekend, where they will do it. personally i probably shop online because i don't like crowds, i so ijust avoid it. can also get better deals. sometimes there's stuff online that isn't in the shops and sometimes there's stuff in shops that isn't online. i don't like shopping online. the material is not what it is, the sizes are not what it is. i love all independent shops, but they are dying out so it's like trying to spend with them. i've got three grandchildren - at the moment, three grandsons. the only problem is they are nine, ten and nearly 11 now _ and the presents they want are quite expensive so they don't get very i much because it costs a lot for one little thing. - some thoughts about the big weekend ahead of christmas, people are stocking up early to make sure they have got what they need. while the robots go about their work, let me introduce you to allen, who looks after the supply chain at boots. haw after the supply chain at boots. how is it going? — after the supply chain at boots. how is it going? really _ after the supply chain at boots. hrw is it going? really well, we started strong this morning, 16,000 orders have been placed since midnight to eight o'clock in the warehouse is very busy, everything is going out in strong fashion.— very busy, everything is going out in strong fashion. what i have been taken with as _ in strong fashion. what i have been taken with as these _ in strong fashion. what i have been taken with as these robots. - in strong fashion. what i have been taken with as these robots. they i in strong fashion. what i have been | taken with as these robots. they do the legwork, it means people are not having to walk around this place. you have a mix of humans and robots, talk to me about the difference in terms of being able to get those orders to customers? it terms of being able to get those orders to customers?— orders to customers? it makes everything _ orders to customers? it makes everything more _ orders to customers? it makes everything more efficient. - orders to customers? it makes - everything more efficient. because the people here are having to walk a long distance and pushing trolleys in a conventional warehouse, the robots are doing that walking for them and they are three times faster. in this operation we have fully automated equipment from a company and that is five times faster because the products come to them and the people here just hand—picking the orders. 50 it is a lot more efficient and we can get the orders out quicker to customers. our habits have changed, in the 0ur habits have changed, in the pandemic we are doing more shopping online and you have been expanding the operation during the pandemic. the first thing people will realise is robots don't get coronavirus? that's right, boots has grown three times since the pandemic and we are having to adapt and move quickly and we are thinking about next black friday and the one after. these robots helped in the pandemic because we could keep people further apart. they were safer during the pandemic. apart. they were safer during the andemic. ., ~ apart. they were safer during the andemic. . ~ ., . pandemic. talk to me about the su -l pandemic. talk to me about the sunply change _ pandemic. talk to me about the supply change because - pandemic. talk to me about the supply change because we - pandemic. talk to me about the j supply change because we know pandemic. talk to me about the - supply change because we know there were a lot of problems this year, particularly things from asia that have got to get to the uk? how did you get on, how did you know what you get on, how did you know what you needed for christmas and do you have everything?— have everything? everything starts a ear in have everything? everything starts a year in advance _ have everything? everything starts a year in advance and _ have everything? everything starts a year in advance and we _ have everything? everything starts a year in advance and we were - have everything? everything starts a| year in advance and we were planning a year ago what we needed. it is great where between suppliers, supply teams and know when things are being loaded and things have been shipped and we have had 80% of everything we're going to sail that has physically come into this building. the rest of it is on the way so we are confident we will have good stock installs ready for christmas.— good stock installs ready for christmas. ~ ., , christmas. good luck. i know it is the busiest _ christmas. good luck. i know it is the busiest time _ christmas. good luck. i know it is the busiest time of _ christmas. good luck. i know it is the busiest time of year, - christmas. good luck. i know it is the busiest time of year, so - christmas. good luck. i know it is| the busiest time of year, so lovely to see. i am really interested to see how works today. a real mix of humans and robots, the robots doing the legwork. that is one of the important points, but the human still have the final say so they can override these things. it has been interesting to see and if you were here earlier they have named one of them ben this morning. much like me, hard working, doing the long hours, i cannot find him. 220 of them, we don't know it is. so is it absent from the office, not turned up for work? ., , ., ~' from the office, not turned up for work? ., , ., ~ , , work? no, it is working. it is miles awa at work? no, it is working. it is miles away at the — work? no, it is working. it is miles away at the other _ work? no, it is working. it is miles away at the other end, _ work? no, it is working. it is miles away at the other end, reliable, i away at the other end, reliable, hard—working, good fun, that is what it is. hard-working, good fun, that is what it is. , . hard-working, good fun, that is what itis., . �* hard-working, good fun, that is what itis. . �* it is. delusional. ben, it has been fascinating- _ fascinating. i do find that warehouse, there is something compelling aboutjust something compelling about just seeing something compelling aboutjust seeing those robots are moving around the place. it is mesmerising. like screen grabs, those, yeah. fabulous. let's find out what is happening where you are, we will see you shortly. good morning from bbc london, i'm alison earle. tube passengers are facing major disruption this morning as drivers on five lines have gone on strike. it's part of a dispute over changes to rotas. it means there's little or no service, on the central, jubilee, northern, piccadilly and victoria lines. while other parts of the network will be busier than usual. the walkout has been timed to coincide with the return of the night tube this weekend, which hasn't run throughout the pandemic. the city of london police, is warning us to take extra care when shopping online. data from the national reporting center for fraud and cyber crime shows thatjust over 28,000 people were conned out of their money when buying on websites during the christmas period last year. the advice is to choose carefully where you shop. the air ambulance across the south east believe they've been able to identify the so—called county lines of drugs gangs coming out of london. they've been mapping the 300 stabbings they've attended over the past six years. those behind the study say it could be possible to work out crime hotspots. it's particularly important for us here at the air ambulance because we do respond at night. we are one of the few charity air ambulances to fly at night. and of course, in our patch, certainly across kent in particular, you can be a long way from help if you are stabbed. for many dance fans it wouldn't be christmas without the nutcracker. well, this year it's returning to london's west end. the royal ballet were forced to cancel most of their festive performances 12 months ago due to covid restrictions. but they're back with a new version of the christmassy tale. it runs at the royal opera house, over 31 days. travel now... central, jubilee, northern, piccadilly and victoria lines are all being affected by strike action. a limited service is running in places. the waterloo & city line is also suspended. minor delays on the circle line. a good service on all other lines. weather now with elizabeth. hello, good morning. storm arwen is set to bring us some very unsettled conditions over the next couple of days, strengthening winds particularly on saturday, some showers and some of those showers could turn out to be a bit wintry over the higher ground at times. we are staying in that cold air as we head through the rest of the week. it was cold and frosty last night underneath clear skies at first, but we have now got more cloud edging down from the north—west with this weather system that will eventually pull its way out into the north sea. there are some showers around this morning, some of those showers will merge together to form what will feel like longer spells of rain. but also some brighter spells through the afternoon, just feeling bitterly cold despite the fact that temperatures are slightly higher than they were yesterday. and there is a blustery north—westerly wind blowing, some really strong gusty winds for a time and then the winds will lighten somewhat as we head into the evening. overnight tonight, some of those showers could possibly turn out to be a bit wintry over higher ground at times. some sleet, even a bit of fleeting snow, it will turn back into rain tomorrow morning. on saturday, a very windy day indeed. gusts of wind of around 45 to even 50 miles an hour, further showers and feeling very cold. you'll find more on our website and on bbc radio london on the strike. i'm back with the latest from the bbc london newsroom an around half an hour. hello, this is breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. morning live is on bbc one after breakfast this morning. let's find out what kym and gethin have in store. 0h, oh, look, you are getting your requisite wave now! we have made up, we are waving. i am over the wave thing now, it is over now. ok! on morning live today. winter's coming, and while you're getting wrapped up and ready to face the cold, you might want to consider if your car's ready for the road. rav has a warning about the lesser known driving hazards which could cost you thousands in fines. plus, it's the biggest shopping event of the year with over 9 billion expected to be spent this weekend in the uk alone. but with a recent survey finding 90% of black friday deals were the same price or cheaper in the six months before last year's event, james stewart has been finding out if you believe the deals are as good as they seem. and as you've been hearing on breakfast, there's a new covid variant of concern, we'll be discussing that with dr punam plus why some schools are cancelling nativities and closing after—school clubs because of rising cases. also today, changing the locks in your home could cost hundreds if you call in the professionals but our diy expert wayne perrey explains how you can do it yourself safely and securely in underan hourat a fraction of the price. he has about two minutes to do it on the show but he can do it! and our vet drjames greenwood visits a university for dogs training them to carry out everyday tasks to become an essential life—line for owners with disabilities. some can even load a washing machine! plus, it's been on our screens for over a decade. call the midwife star stephen mcgann tells us how it's inspired hundreds around the world to deliver babies for a joh — see you at 9:15! steven has lots of stories to tell, because he has been a lesson from the beginning. —— he has been there from the big beginning. the beginning. -- he has been there from the big beginning.— from the big beginning. thank you very much- _ from the big beginning. thank you very much. well _ from the big beginning. thank you very much. well rving, _ from the big beginning. thank you very much. well rving, he - very much. well rving, destro from the big beginning. thank you very much. well rving, destro he l from the big beginning. thank you | very much. well rving, destro he is still waiting, he will carry on raving! there are so there are so severe there are so severe weather conditions happen, we will have a look at that with —— with matt later. 27 people, including three children, died on wednesday as they attempted to travel by boat from calais to dover. it's the biggest loss of life by drowning in the english channel on record. the home secretary was due to join discussions with european ministers this weekend, but france has cancelled priti patel�*s invitation in protest, over a letter published by the prime minister on the crisis. we're nowjoined by the right reverend bishop of dover reverand rose hudson—wilkin and gulwali passarlay, a former refugee. ifi if i may, i always hesitate to condense people's story down, but you came as a 12—year—old from afghanistan and travelled on your own to the whole of europe and came via track in the end to the uk. we will come back to some of your detail of the story at the moment but i can only imagine what your thoughts were, seeing what happened on wednesday, as you saw the story emerging of the thosepeople went through. you will know very much what that was like. indeed you are on about yourself as part of your journey that sank.— on about yourself as part of your journey that sank. exactly, i wish i didn't know. _ journey that sank. exactly, i wish i didn't know, because _ journey that sank. exactly, i wish i didn't know, because i— journey that sank. exactly, i wish i didn't know, because i have - journey that sank. exactly, i wish i didn't know, because i have not i didn't know, because i have not slept, i have been thinking about the souls of these people who lost their lives. it was completely preventable and avoidable. i was a similar situation in the mediterranean 1a years ago when my boat was about to capsize. i know what went through the mind of being hopeless and helpless and being in the sea and you are about to drown in the coldest water. this is heartbreaking, this should not have happened and it should not happen again but i am afraid this will not happen —— this will happen again if the government continues in this stopping people, putting borders above people. i am heartbroken and sad for the families of the victims. this was not surprising because i knew something like this would happen because this is the busiest shipping lane in the world, the busiest crossing. more and more people are desperately coming on boats. it should not be happening in the 21st century, 2021. pretty —— britain and france should be ashamed of themselves, and the international community and the european union, for letting people drown.— for letting people drown. gulwali, one of the questions _ for letting people drown. gulwali, one of the questions that - for letting people drown. gulwali, one of the questions that people | one of the questions that people have been asking, this has been happening, we have seen people die making the crossings, making these attempts. and you yourself were on a boat where there were 100 on the boat where there were 100 on the boat and it sank. when you know it is that dangerous, why do you do it, why do they continue to make these attempts? why do they continue to make these attem ts? ., , why do they continue to make these attem ts? .,, . , . attempts? people are in such desperate — attempts? people are in such desperate situation, - attempts? people are in such desperate situation, it - attempts? people are in such desperate situation, it was i attempts? people are in such| desperate situation, it was my attempts? people are in such i desperate situation, it was my third attempt when i crossed from turkey to greece, i kept being arrested, the smugglers, we put our trust in the smugglers, we put our trust in the smugglers. the smugglers said we would be increase in four hours and it wasn't, we were in the sea for 48 hours, i had never seen the sea before. i was scared and frightened. we didn't have a choice, which are set to continue ourjourney. calais is not a place which is easy to be there. i was every month, it felt like three months, it was miserable and cold, the french would harass us, we would get tear gas, our shoes would be taken away. the problem has existed for a long time and it needs a humane and compassionate solution. you are so much closer to this than any of us having lived through it, a lot of people say, what are the practical measures in calais that can be put in place? so someone like you, i know you are only a boy, 12 years old, those who were older as well, so they could make their way north through europe through all of those hardships, they are going to do that anyway. what could change what happens when they get to the sea? is there a structure, an organisation of some kind which mean they would not take that risk but they would not take that risk but they would not take that risk but they would be emboldened to go to they would be emboldened to go to the authorities and say, i'm here now? ., ., ., , the authorities and say, i'm here now? ., ., .y , the authorities and say, i'm here now? . . , now? that already happens. france takes more — now? that already happens. france takes more asylum _ now? that already happens. france takes more asylum seeking - now? that already happens. france takes more asylum seeking is i now? that already happens. france takes more asylum seeking is than| now? that already happens. france i takes more asylum seeking is than we do. a small number of people want to come here for reasons, i wanted to come here for reasons, i wanted to come thick and my brother was here, otherwise i would have stayed in italy where they treated me as a human being. britain is to provide a safe passage for people to come here. people should not be risking their rides. so issuing human —— risking their lives. so issuing humanitarian reasons, they want to come here, we could issue them humanitarian reasons. we did this when 480 young people came through a civilised and safe route. the only safe route at the moment is family reunification and there is a bill going through parliament which will criminalise people coming here and seeking safety and protection which is their human right. let seeking safety and protection which is their human right.— is their human right. let me bring in the right _ is their human right. let me bring in the right reverend _ is their human right. let me bring in the right reverend bishop i is their human right. let me bring in the right reverend bishop of. in the right reverend bishop of dover, you have been hearing what gulwali has been saying and you will also witness to how, communities have seen this, where you are you have seen this, where you are you have seen this, you have seen this tragedy unfold. and the rescuer operation. it is heartbreaking but so frustrating, the pace of trying to fix this and ensure it does not happen again. i to fix this and ensure it does not happen again-— to fix this and ensure it does not hauenauain. ~ , happen again. i think the reason why this continues _ happen again. i think the reason why this continues to _ happen again. i think the reason why this continues to happen, _ happen again. i think the reason why this continues to happen, it's - this continues to happen, it's because _ this continues to happen, it's because what we are doing is putting sticking _ because what we are doing is putting sticking plasters on it. we are doing — sticking plasters on it. we are doing is— sticking plasters on it. we are doing is playing political football between the french and the british. and this _ between the french and the british. and this actually needs an international effort, and an international effort, and an international solution. we have got to stop _ international solution. we have got to stop the — international solution. we have got to stop the senseless and useless rhetoric, — to stop the senseless and useless rhetoric, playing to the gallery, and we — rhetoric, playing to the gallery, and we have got to address this once and we have got to address this once and for— and we have got to address this once and for alt _ and we have got to address this once and for all. these are human being. i and for all. these are human being. iwouid _ and for all. these are human being. i would wonder how you feel today when we hear the news that in reaction to borisjohnson's publishing of a letter to requests to france to come to some kind of agreement that priti patel is no longer invited to a meeting this weekend. , , , ., longer invited to a meeting this weekend. ,, ., �* weekend. this is exactly what i'm sa in. weekend. this is exactly what i'm saying this _ weekend. this is exactly what i'm saying this is — weekend. this is exactly what i'm saying. this is a _ weekend. this is exactly what i'm saying. this is a political- saying. this is a political football. this is not something between — football. this is not something between the french and the british, it's being _ between the french and the british, it's being made as if it is. this needs— it's being made as if it is. this needs an _ it's being made as if it is. this needs an international team to be looking _ needs an international team to be looking at. — needs an international team to be looking at, how do we ensure that people _ looking at, how do we ensure that people don'tjust die senselessly in the channel or in other ways, trying to find _ the channel or in other ways, trying to find refuge? we have got to stop calling _ to find refuge? we have got to stop calling people names that we call them, _ calling people names that we call them, migrants, economic migrants, refugees, _ them, migrants, economic migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, because then we _ refugees, asylum seekers, because then we almost distanced them from thinking _ then we almost distanced them from thinking of— then we almost distanced them from thinking of them as human beings who need to— thinking of them as human beings who need to he _ thinking of them as human beings who need to be responded to with compassion. sorry, we've got to ask... _ compassion. sorry, we've got to ask... , j compassion. sorry, we've got to ask... , m . , ask... sorry, bishop, i have 'ust not to ask... sorry, bishop, i have 'ust got to askfi ask... sorry, bishop, i have 'ust got to ask gulwali, i i ask... sorry, bishop, i have 'ust got to ask gulwali, i saw i ask... sorry, bishop, i havejust got to ask gulwali, i saw you i got to ask gulwali, i saw you nodding. one of the realities is that more people will be trying to make that journey today just like you did. make that 'ourney today 'ust like ou did. ., . , , you did. unfortunately, the problem has been there _ you did. unfortunately, the problem has been there for— you did. unfortunately, the problem has been there for 20 _ you did. unfortunately, the problem has been there for 20 years. - you did. unfortunately, the problem has been there for 20 years. we i has been there for 20 years. we haven't looked at any other solution other than deterrence. we have spent £200 million on security on the border, we could have spent that, it would be cost—effective to issue humanitarian reasons so people can come here safely and legally rather than drowning. it is on the government's responsibility and i hope we will be discussing this again, if the government does not act other than prevention, that does not work, it is cruel and inhumane. really good to speak to gulwali, and the right reverend rose hudson—wilkin, bishop of dover, thank you for your time. as you will be aware, if you have been watching the programme, there has been a lot of diplomacy going on, there has been messages from france and the uk and we will try to follow those for you and we will develop that more through the day. it is 17 minutes to nine. a study looking at the link between boxing and early onset dementia has been carried out, mike's here with more. men who boxed as amateurs at an young age are at risk of developing early onset dementia and cognitive impairment. a study by cardiff university followed thousands of men over 35 years, and found those that boxed were at least twice as likely to have alzheimer's disease. our wales correspondent, tomos morgan has the story. from grandfather to grandchild. peter flanagan is passing on a sport that's run deep in his family. my trainer said, if you get a draw against a scouser in liverpool, he is going to win. but not long ago, he started to notice little things were being forgotten in daily life. while i was driving along one day, just didn't have a clue where i was, where i was going, or anything. did those episodes scare you at all? to a certain extent, yeah. after being convinced by the family, he saw a doctor and was diagnosed with dementia four years ago. the consultant adamant that boxing had played a part in scarring his brain. what was it like, though, when you did get that diagnosis? sorry. i could have been sat around feeling sorry for myself, and i would have just demised really, really quickly. but i didn't. ijust wanted to be positive. a new peer—reviewed published study, seen exclusively by the bbc, is believed to be one of the first look at the long—term effects of amateur boxing on the brain. published in the clinical journal of sports medicine, the study followed 2,500 men over a 35 year period. their findings showed that of those who boxed as amateurs earlier in life, they were twice as likely to have alzheimer's—like cognitive impairment and they showed earlier signs of onset dementia compared with those that hadn't boxed. symptoms appear to start up to eight years earlier in the men who have boxed, compared to the men who have never boxed. an average of five years, but up to eight years earlier. it's a mixed bag when it comes to whether those in this boxing club near pontypridd worry about the potential consequences of the sport. it does make you worried. in my first fight without a head guard, i had a big cut under my eye. i thought, that's a bit serious. no, if you have worries about getting hit, you wouldn't do it. over the years, changes have been made to make the sport safer. the science on head guards has changed at men's senior level. bigger, more padded gloves are used, and gyms' training has improved according to peter. but nevertheless, he still believes that more could be done to mitigate any potential long—term damage. i think head shots in sparring should be limited. in training? in training. in a statement, the aiba, the international boxing association for amateur boxing said that its priority has always been the health and wellbeing of boxers. research is currently ongoing into impact loads to the head in training and competition, and any changes to regulation on the sparring would be grounded in robust research and based on its commitment to boxers and those who support them. every day, i'm convincing myself that i'm strong and doing it... a positive mental attitude, though, isn't it? yeah, definitely. training is a key part of keeping peter on track. as is spending as much time as possible with his 11 grandchildren. in order to defend himself from whatever is next. i'm training to fight dementia like i trained to fight in boxing. tomos morgan, bbc news. we're joined now by professional boxer and former world champion josh warrington. great to see you, thank you for coming in. great to see you, thank you for coming in— great to see you, thank you for coming in. good morning you're welcome- _ coming in. good morning you're welcome. you _ coming in. good morning you're welcome. you started _ coming in. good morning you're welcome. you started boxing i coming in. good morning you're i welcome. you started boxing when ou're 18 welcome. you started boxing when you're 18 you _ welcome. you started boxing when you're 18 you have _ welcome. you started boxing when you're 18 you have expressed i you're 18 you have expressed concerns about what could at the future, what are your thoughts thinking about your own situation? it's something that i always have an idea of. when you put those boxing gloves on, you know that there is a chance that it's going to be an injury, that you are going to take punches to the head, things can happen. and as long as you realise that, and understand that, i'm certainly happy with it. i've got to look at the positives over the negatives. and i have a lot of positives throughout my boxing career, and it's done a lot more good than bad so far. if there was a different field i was going to go down, to be in the army for instance, my brother is a tree surgeon, there were risks with a lot ofjobs surgeon, there were risks with a lot of jobs you surgeon, there were risks with a lot ofjobs you go into.— ofjobs you go into. have you ever been hit so _ ofjobs you go into. have you ever been hit so hard _ ofjobs you go into. have you ever been hit so hard that _ ofjobs you go into. have you ever been hit so hard that he _ ofjobs you go into. have you ever been hit so hard that he thought, | ofjobs you go into. have you ever| been hit so hard that he thought, i am really— been hit so hard that he thought, i am really worried about that? not so much one single _ am really worried about that? not so much one single punch. _ am really worried about that? not so much one single punch. maybe i much one single punch. maybe after... fir much one single punch. maybe after... ., much one single punch. maybe after. . ._ there i much one single punch. maybe after. . ._ there have | much one single punch. maybe i after..._ there have been after... or a fight. there have been times after— after... or a fight. there have been times after a _ after... or a fight. there have been times after a session, _ after... or a fight. there have been times after a session, you - after... or a fight. there have been times after a session, you think, i times after a session, you think, it's a tough old sport, this! it’s it's a tough old sport, this! it's more than _ it's a tough old sport, this! it's more than that, it's about being concerned — more than that, it's about being concerned about the impact of this is going _ concerned about the impact of this is going to — concerned about the impact of this is going to have on you in the future — is going to have on you in the future |_ is going to have on you in the future. ., is going to have on you in the future. . , . , future. i have never been really, really concerned, _ future. i have never been really, really concerned, if _ future. i have never been really, really concerned, if i'm - future. i have never been really, really concerned, if i'm honest l future. i have never been really, i really concerned, if i'm honest with you. i realise it is not normal to get punched in the head, but i have got to weigh up what it has done for my life, the positives it's had. i’m my life, the positives it's had. i'm thinkin: , my life, the positives it's had. i'm thinking, josh, there we are, we are seeing _ thinking, josh, there we are, we are seeing you _ thinking, josh, there we are, we are seeing you hold _ thinking, josh, there we are, we are seeing you hold up _ thinking, josh, there we are, we are seeing you hold up your— thinking, josh, there we are, we are seeing you hold up your prize, - thinking, josh, there we are, we are seeing you hold up your prize, you l seeing you hold up your prize, you are a _ seeing you hold up your prize, you are a champion _ seeing you hold up your prize, you are a champion. that _ seeing you hold up your prize, you are a champion. that is _ seeing you hold up your prize, you are a champion. that is earning i seeing you hold up your prize, you. are a champion. that is earning you are a champion. that is earning you a living _ are a champion. that is earning you a livina. ., are a champion. that is earning you a living.- there's _ are a champion. that is earning you a living.- there's two - are a champion. that is earning you a living. yeah. there's two parts i are a champion. that is earning you a living. yeah. there's two parts to| a living. yeah. there's two parts to this equation- _ a living. yeah. there's two parts to this equation. that _ a living. yeah. there's two parts to this equation. that is _ a living. yeah. there's two parts to this equation. that is your - this equation. that is your livelihood, and _ this equation. that is your livelihood, and then - this equation. that is your. livelihood, and then there's this equation. that is your- livelihood, and then there's your family. _ livelihood, and then there's your family. and _ livelihood, and then there's your family. and i_ livelihood, and then there's your family, and i know— livelihood, and then there's your family, and i know you _ livelihood, and then there's your family, and i know you just i livelihood, and then there's your family, and i know you just told i livelihood, and then there's your. family, and i know you just told us you have _ family, and i know you just told us you have a — family, and i know you just told us you have a three—year—old - family, and i know you just told us you have a three—year—old twin i you have a three—year—old twin girls _ you have a three-year-old twin uirls. ., you have a three-year-old twin uirls. . . , you have a three-year-old twin a irls, ., ., , a girls. three and three quarters! a very proud _ girls. three and three quarters! a very proud dad. — girls. three and three quarters! a very proud dad, obviously. i girls. three and three quarters! a very proud dad, obviously. you i girls. three and three quarters! a. very proud dad, obviously. you can think— very proud dad, obviously. you can think about — very proud dad, obviously. you can think about yourselves _ very proud dad, obviously. you can think about yourselves in _ very proud dad, obviously. you can think about yourselves in terms i very proud dad, obviously. you can think about yourselves in terms ofl think about yourselves in terms of your career. — think about yourselves in terms of your career. you _ think about yourselves in terms of your career, you know— think about yourselves in terms of your career, you know about - think about yourselves in terms of i your career, you know about training your career, you know about training you know _ your career, you know about training you know what — your career, you know about training you know what you _ your career, you know about training you know what you do, _ your career, you know about training you know what you do, and - your career, you know about training you know what you do, and then i your career, you know about training i you know what you do, and then there are those _ you know what you do, and then there are those people — you know what you do, and then there are those people who _ you know what you do, and then there are those people who love _ you know what you do, and then there are those people who love you. - you know what you do, and then there are those people who love you. i i are those people who love you. i don't _ are those people who love you. i don't know. _ are those people who love you. i don't know. you _ are those people who love you. i don't know, you will— are those people who love you. i don't know, you will know- are those people who love you. i don't know, you will know this, i are those people who love you. i i don't know, you will know this, how is it for— don't know, you will know this, how is it for them, — don't know, you will know this, how is it for them, they _ don't know, you will know this, how is it for them, they are _ don't know, you will know this, how is it for them, they are only - don't know, you will know this, how is it for them, they are only three, i is it for them, they are only three, your— is it for them, they are only three, your wife, — is it for them, they are only three, your wife, those _ is it for them, they are only three, your wife, those people _ is it for them, they are only three, your wife, those people who - is it for them, they are only three, your wife, those people who love i your wife, those people who love you. _ your wife, those people who love you. knowing _ your wife, those people who love you, knowing what _ your wife, those people who love you, knowing what you _ your wife, those people who love you, knowing what you do, - your wife, those people who love | you, knowing what you do, seeing your wife, those people who love i you, knowing what you do, seeing a report _ you, knowing what you do, seeing a report like _ you, knowing what you do, seeing a report like that, _ you, knowing what you do, seeing a report like that, going, _ you, knowing what you do, seeing a report like that, going, maybe i you, knowing what you do, seeing a report like that, going, maybe thati report like that, going, maybe that isjosh? _ report like that, going, maybe that isjosh? i'm — report like that, going, maybe that isjosh? i'm not— report like that, going, maybe that isjosh? i'm not going _ report like that, going, maybe that isjosh? i'm not going to _ isjosh? i'm not going to scaremonger_ isjosh? i'm not going to scaremonger here - isjosh? i'm not going to scaremonger here but i isjosh? i'm not going to i scaremonger here but they isjosh? i'm not going to - scaremonger here but they must isjosh? i'm not going to _ scaremonger here but they must have thought— scaremonger here but they must have thought these — scaremonger here but they must have thought these things. _ scaremonger here but they must have thought these things. that _ scaremonger here but they must have thought these things. that must i scaremonger here but they must have thought these things. that must be i thought these things. that must be the part— thought these things. that must be the part of— thought these things. that must be the part of the thought _ thought these things. that must be the part of the thought process. i the part of the thought process. definitely. — the part of the thought process. definitely. it's— the part of the thought process. definitely, it's a _ the part of the thought process. definitely, it's a conversation, l definitely, it's a conversation, especially over the last year. especially back in february, i got knocked out in for the first time. it was a vicious fight to watch especially for my wife was ringside. my especially for my wife was ringside. my dynamic has changed since having kids. i used to be pretty selfish, boxing, boxing until the wheels fell off. that has changed now. i want to box until i have got a few more goals ticked off and then get out of the sport on top. but i speak to my family, and i speak to my manager, i am clear —— close to all my team around me. and i think if they started to see problems, or, you know, situations arising, there would be a problem, they would be honest with me. and i would listen. going forward, that report and pete story, what changes do you think can be made to reduce risk going forward? is it reducing the number of head shots in sparring or training, or refereeing could change? i training, or refereeing could chance? ~ �* , training, or refereeing could chance? ~' �* , change? i think the british boxing board of control _ change? i think the british boxing board of control are _ change? i think the british boxing board of control are very - change? i think the british boxing board of control are very good, i change? i think the british boxing i board of control are very good, one of the best in the world about looking at the medical side. quite recently, every year we have got to have an mri scan, blood count, all of that stuff. and these days, if there is a little change on your brain scan, you have to go see a therapist. they are very good. if anything, a bit more information could be given to trainers, just was an ideal number of rounds in a training camp could be and what could potentially happen if you go over that or do too much in for instance a training camp. 50 a over that or do too much in for instance a training camp. so a bit of limitation. _ instance a training camp. so a bit of limitation. so _ instance a training camp. so a bit of limitation. so you _ instance a training camp. so a bit of limitation. so you have - instance a training camp. so a bit of limitation. so you have had i instance a training camp. so a bit of limitation. so you have had a l of limitation. so you have had a year disrupted by injuries, does this affect your plans going forward in terms of thinking of retirement? i know you have a potentialfight in terms of thinking of retirement? i know you have a potential fight in february now? pare i know you have a potential fight in february now?— i know you have a potential fight in february now? are you talking about the report? — february now? are you talking about the report? again, _ february now? are you talking about the report? again, like _ february now? are you talking about the report? again, like i— february now? are you talking about the report? again, like i say, - february now? are you talking about the report? again, like i say, i- the report? again, like i say, i have known from a young age that there is some risk that could come from the sport. but i don't think it's going to bother me. i've realised that i signed up for. full]! realised that i signed up for. full steam ahead _ realised that i signed up for. full steam ahead to _ realised that i signed up for. full steam ahead to february? mostl steam ahead to february? most definitel . steam ahead to february? most definitely. find _ steam ahead to february? most definitely. find out _ steam ahead to february? most definitely. find out who - steam ahead to february? most definitely. find out who you i steam ahead to february? most definitely. find out who you are| definitely. find out who you are auoin to definitely. find out who you are going to fight — definitely. find out who you are going to fight soon. _ definitely. find out who you are going to fight soon. good i definitely. find out who you are going to fight soon. good luck. | definitely. find out who you are i going to fight soon. good luck. and i know going to fight soon. good luck. and i know you — going to fight soon. good luck. and i know you get _ going to fight soon. good luck. and i know you get to — going to fight soon. good luck. and i know you get to punch _ going to fight soon. good luck. and i know you get to punch mike i going to fight soon. good luck. and i know you get to punch mike soon! not right— i know you get to punch mike soon! not right now! find i know you get to punch mike soon! not right now!— not right now! and we did a fist . um . not right now! and we did a fist pump when _ not right now! and we did a fist pump when we _ not right now! and we did a fist pump when we came _ not right now! and we did a fist pump when we came in. - not right now! and we did a fist pump when we came in. we i not right now! and we did a fist| pump when we came in. we did, not right now! and we did a fist i pump when we came in. we did, i not right now! and we did a fist - pump when we came in. we did, i have a sore hand _ pump when we came in. we did, i have a sore hand now! _ pump when we came in. we did, i have a sore hand now! very— pump when we came in. we did, i have a sore hand now! very good _ pump when we came in. we did, i have a sore hand now! very good to - pump when we came in. we did, i have a sore hand now! very good to see i a sore hand now! very good to see ou. and a sore hand now! very good to see you- and you _ a sore hand now! very good to see you. and you will _ a sore hand now! very good to see you. and you will be _ a sore hand now! very good to see you. and you will be in _ a sore hand now! very good to see you. and you will be in a _ a sore hand now! very good to see you. and you will be in a bubble i you. and you will be in a bubble when you are fighting. very carefully done. slightly worried! it's been 30 years since one of the world's biggest rock stars, freddie mercury, died from aids related complications. now, the of his final few years will be told for the first time. in a new bbc documentary, some of those closest to the singer have spoken about his battle with hiv and the last days of his life. with hiv and the last let's take a look. with hiv and the last we'd done the biggest tour ever of our lives and freddie said, i can't do this any more. i can't do this, and we went, "oh". # watching some good friends screaming, let me out. he didn't at that point want to do any more live shows, which sort of told us that there was something wrong. # check my brains on the floor... my mum visited more times than dad. she rang me one day and said, "i think you should ring your brother because he's very, very ill". and ijust said to him, "it's not aids, is it?" and he completely denied it. but i knew it that was. there's been a lot of rumours lately. rumours that we're going to split up, what do you think? crowd: no! talking from here! we can speak now to the director of the documentary, james rogan and one of freddie's closest friends, peter freestone. good morning to you. i think we are going to start if i may, james, with you. you will know very well, there is an absolute french nation with freddie mercury all his life, —— and absolute fascination, but you have picked a particular time, around the time of his death and the immediate aftermath. explain why that time in particular. aftermath. explain why that time in articular. ., , , ., particular. last year when we were in the middle _ particular. last year when we were in the middle of _ particular. last year when we were in the middle of lockdown, - particular. last year when we were in the middle of lockdown, i i particular. last year when we were in the middle of lockdown, i spokej in the middle of lockdown, i spoke to my neighbour down and he said, as a 93v to my neighbour down and he said, as a gay man, this is my second pandemic i have lived through. and in it immediately raised the question of thinking of doing something about the aids pandemic. and i remember watching the freddie mercury tribute concert at 11 years old and the complete change in conversation it created in my household, from that real sense of fear to a sense of loss and compassion. when you have questions like that, you think, let's make a documentary. i did actually, i asked dan to produce it. andlet a year later, here we are.— dan to produce it. andlet a year later, here we are. when it comes to makin: later, here we are. when it comes to making something _ later, here we are. when it comes to making something like _ later, here we are. when it comes to making something like this, - later, here we are. when it comes to making something like this, you i later, here we are. when it comes to | making something like this, you need to be able to speak to the right people and they need to be able to speak to you about something so personal, how did you go about that? we have got a track record, we made a series called uprising which is out this summer with steve mcqueen, and i made a series about music in 19705, and i reached out to clean and i said, i really wanted to make and i said, i really wanted to make a film about this final chapter and the friendship, and how you responded to it —— we reached out to queen. i think theyjust got it. it was on about the music, it's about what you do if you are caught up in something as big as a global pandemic. something as big as a global pandemic-— something as big as a global andemic. ~ . , , , ., pandemic. what is interesting is how eo - le who pandemic. what is interesting is how people who knew _ pandemic. what is interesting is how people who knew him, _ pandemic. what is interesting is how people who knew him, friends, i pandemic. what is interesting is how people who knew him, friends, will. people who knew him, friends, will react to him. it's precious, someone's story is very precious. peter, how do you feel in terms of what needs to be told, and the joy of freddie mercury, that we haven't heard so far? filth. of freddie mercury, that we haven't heard so far?— heard so far? oh, a difficult question- — heard so far? oh, a difficult question. really, _ heard so far? oh, a difficult question. really, the i heard so far? oh, a difficult question. really, the fact . heard so far? oh, a difficult i question. really, the fact that heard so far? oh, a difficult - question. really, the fact that from my point— question. really, the fact that from my point of— question. really, the fact that from my point of view, that aids can go to anybody — my point of view, that aids can go to anybody. it's not a picky disease _ to anybody. it's not a picky disease. it doesn't decide, this is the person — disease. it doesn't decide, this is the person. anybody who isn't aware of it can _ the person. anybody who isn't aware of it can get — the person. anybody who isn't aware of it can get it. and that's what freddie's— of it can get it. and that's what freddie's statement, the day before he died. _ freddie's statement, the day before he died, really meant. it was for the world — he died, really meant. it was for the world to know that it could be anybody — the world to know that it could be anybody. anybody next. and that's what i _ anybody. anybody next. and that's what i think this programme also helps _ what i think this programme also helps with. what i think this programme also hels with. �* , what i think this programme also helps with-— helps with. peter, it's probably worth explaining, _ helps with. peter, it's probably worth explaining, you - helps with. peter, it's probably worth explaining, you said i helps with. peter, it's probably. worth explaining, you said about helps with. peter, it's probably i worth explaining, you said about the statement there, some people may not even remember or have been around at the time. freddie had been so ill, and he had kept his illness a secret. i don't know amongst whom, but then there was a statement, as you say, just before he died. freddie new for a number of years, before _ freddie new for a number of years, before he _ freddie new for a number of years, before he died, that he was going to die sooner— before he died, that he was going to die sooner rather than later. he wanted — die sooner rather than later. he wanted to— die sooner rather than later. he wanted to keep it quiet to protect his family— wanted to keep it quiet to protect his family and his friends, because as soon— his family and his friends, because as soon as — his family and his friends, because as soon as it— his family and his friends, because as soon as it was public, they could be approached by anybody to be asked. — be approached by anybody to be asked, oh, what's happening, is he 0k, asked, oh, what's happening, is he 0k. is— asked, oh, what's happening, is he 0k. is he _ asked, oh, what's happening, is he 0k, is he bad? what's going on. and he wanted _ 0k, is he bad? what's going on. and he wanted to— 0k, is he bad? what's going on. and he wanted to prevent that happening, particularly for his family. he knew it had _ particularly for his family. he knew it had to _ particularly for his family. he knew it had to be — particularly for his family. he knew it had to be out before he died, because — it had to be out before he died, because otherwise, it would be like a dirty— because otherwise, it would be like a dirty secret to being swept into under— a dirty secret to being swept into under the — a dirty secret to being swept into under the carpet and he never wanted that. under the carpet and he never wanted that he _ under the carpet and he never wanted that. he wanted the world to know that. he wanted the world to know that anybody could get it.- that anybody could get it. james, what will people _ that anybody could get it. james, what will people get _ that anybody could get it. james, what will people get from - that anybody could get it. james, what will people get from this? l that anybody could get it. james, i what will people get from this? what will they learn? you have spoken to the families and the band—mates as well. the families and the band-mates as well. �* , . . , , the families and the band-mates as well. �*, . . _ ., ., ., well. it's an incredibly emotional ride. and well. it's an incredibly emotional ride- and you — well. it's an incredibly emotional ride. and you also _ well. it's an incredibly emotional ride. and you also get _ well. it's an incredibly emotional ride. and you also get freddie i well. it's an incredibly emotional ride. and you also get freddie at his finest. and you get how his music, whilst he didn't communicate what was going on with him personally, his music in that period is incredibly personal. 50 you get brian may talking about freddie singing, the show must go on, and the unspoken bond between these two incredibly creative people, talking about the loss that they are about to experience. the days of our lives. it cannot be understated how brave freddie was. his last video, you can see that he is ravaged by the illness. and he still wanted to go on. and he signs the video off with, i still love you, he literally says goodbye. it’s with, i still love you, he literally says goodbye-— with, i still love you, he literally sa saoodb e. v ., ., , , says goodbye. it's one of those sums which is so moving. _ says goodbye. it's one of those sums which is so moving. i'm _ says goodbye. it's one of those sums which is so moving. i'm sorry - says goodbye. it's one of those sums which is so moving. i'm sorry we - which is so moving. i'm sorry we don't have more time. thank you for coming to that, and thank you for sharing your friendship, coming to that, and thank you for sharing yourfriendship, peter. you can watch freddie mercury: the final act on bbc two this saturday at 9pm. news with me, ben brown. good morning — this is bbc news with me, ben brown. the headlines... the headlines... flights from six countries in southern africa will be suspended after the discovery of a new and potentially more dangerous variant of coronavirus. scientists are said to be deeply concerned because the new variant could evade immunity. good morning — this is bbc