Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage. www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...

If The Proclaimers are not already in the studio recording “We’re on the march with Clarkey’s army” someone is losing their job.

Of course she has. The small matter of owing £122 million to UK taxpayers for her disgusting profiteering in a global pandemic means nothing to Michelle Mone. NHS staff died in my hospital from the Covid they caught there - her dodgy PPE racket was vile.

Miracle, my next book, is now available on special offer @Waterstones this week. I hope we've done justice to a stunning story. Pre-order here, to get 25% off when it comes out in January. waterstones.com/book/miracle... Promotional Code: OCTOBER25. #WPreorder Thanks!

Bravo, Barney.

That was stressful. #GoCubsGo

Seeing (or more accurately hearing) the brain dead home fans at the Ryder Cup reminds me of a conversation with a senior member of the US team earlier in the year. “With two Michelobs inside them they’re going to be wild” he predicted. He wasn’t wrong.

Beautiful, Grimsby. If only Ruben Amorim had the guts to watch that 18 minute shoot out he would have discovered the meaning and value of character.

One more Premier League match to go on an inevitably extended opening weekend. At the moment it exudes the joy of a Speed Awareness Course.

Love how England and India are confirming a new form of cricket : Test 20.

Calling all old gits....I'm writing a social history of 1966 for a book due to be published next year, and would love to hear your childhood memories of watching the World Cup. If you've got tales to tell I'd love to hear from you. Reply to this, please, and I'll follow you. Ta.

Narrator: He did, ridiculously. Levy’s Game is not About Glory.

Sack Big Ange if you dare, Levy.

Brian might have overstated his abilities as a left back, but he was the greatest football writer of his, and subsequent generations. Acutely observant, instinctively kind, wonderfully articulate. Ciao, Maestro

OK. Referee is terrible. But PSG, who were lesser than the sum of their parts in their Harlem Globetrotters era, now have the potential to become a Michael Jordan/Chicago Bulls dynasty. #ARSPS

Cyborg “sport”.

I’ve been privileged to observe many great sporting occasions individuals and achievements but that is right up there. Rory McIlroy, a career fulfilled.

After one hole, this Rory McIlroy final round at Augusta has the air of an Andy Murray physcodrama at Wimbledon.

The Manchester derby, neutered by corporate incompetence and nation state cynicism, is what happens when football is secondary to the big sell. The PL, VAR and all, has lost its soul.

Ah, here they are, the bleeding experts.” Those of us who piggy-backed on boxing’s human drama in the Tyson era deserved Colin’s playful pisstaking. A giant of a journalist, an astute tutor with a generous spirit. He’d hate eulogies but deserves them. Well said, Paul.

VAR. The monster that is devouring football from the Champions League downwards.

Not a single penny of public money should be wasted on this collection of charlatans and their vanity project.

This is the problem with the timidity and fake balance of BBC political coverage. A historic betrayal of Ukraine to Russia by Europe's former ally is boiled down to an utterly superficial row about a man's clothes www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A tsunami of truth : the best piece I’ve read in years.

Why? Why put your head in the lion’s mouth? A betrayal of journalism.

I would have immeasurably more confidence in this bill if it were crafted by caring, conscientious experts like @doctoroxford.bsky.social rather than by grandstanding politicians.

Working voluntarily on the ward of my local hospice is a privilege because of the people I meet and the compassion I see. Here’s a Valentine’s Day love story to prove the point. Thanks to Charlie and all at Willen, which deserves better funding . willen-hospice.org.uk/charlies-sto...

VAR: “And that, children, is why I fell out of a lifelong love of football….”

At a time of disinformation and denial Holocaust Memorial Day is more important than ever. I was privileged to bring Josef Lewkowicz’s story to the world: the US edition is published today. He passed away on Boxing Day, aged 98, but his memory remains a blessing.

Tory Trump Toadies, Suella Braverman, Liz Truss, Priti Patel and Tobias Ellwood (WTF?!) shut out of the oath-taking despite travelling more than 3,500 miles and braving freezing temperatures. They’ll have to watch it on TV! As will Lawrence Fox & Ant Middleton apple.news/Az8BQW2k0Qn2...

Here we go again. The moment of truth. Book #18 awaits.

What a classless club. Graham Potter is in danger of making another career defining mistake.

This has to be the most dishonest reporting of an opinion poll I've ever seen The survey actually found that over two thirds of voters *do not* think Starmer will be out of No 10 within a year.

Surfacing from a rather lively NYE, I wish you everything you wish for yourself in 2025.

This Man United team is more suited to Walking Football than the fast-paced full blooded version.

Devastating news. Josef Lewkowicz passed away tonight, midway through his 99th year. Bringing his story to the world was the greatest personal and professional privilege. This is how I will remember him: his life force was tangible. May his memory be a blessing.

Happy Christmas, Happy Hanukkah. Respect our differences, celebrate our humanity. Have a good one, people.

Actually laughed out loud at that sixth Liverpool goal. What a wonderfully absurd game. Christmas jumpers for goalposts.

Spurs are ideal opponents, but this is a beautiful Liverpool team.

Amadchester…..

Derby day dross in Manchester. Two flawed teams and one individual- yes, you Kyle Walker- who is an utter embarrassment.

Watching a Parkinson show with Billy Connolly and David Attenborough on catch up. How we have regressed in 25 years. Intelligent interviewing, articulate, revealing and engaging responses. Puts to shame today's shameless superficiality and egomania.

Yay Brexit!

Faux working class warrior. Brexit-backing billionaire. Hypocritical tax exile. Owner of grossly-underperforming football and cycling teams. Take a bow “Sir” Jim Ratcliffe.

Love Chris Wood, Forest’s potential match winner against Man U. Incredible that Kenny Jackett wanted to sign him for Millwall 15 years ago. Typical Kiwi. No bullshit. No one’s idea of a gym bunny. Yet double figures before Xmas. Outstanding.

Ok. Idle conjecture time. Your best three live performances ? Mine : 1. The National, Glastonbury, 2024. 2. U2 at Red Rocks. 3. George Michael, Mercury Tribute concert.

So, Infantino predicts five billion people will watch his specious Club World Cup on TV. Four million will travel to US to attend. The Unspeakable in pursuit of the Unbelievable.

Kath was the human face of Manchester United. She had a kind word for everyone and even remembered those of us who were occasional visitors to Carrington. RIP. www.manutd.com/en/news/deta...

This piece confirms what some of us have known for some time : Nick is one of the good guys. He’s also a brilliant journalist.