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(Johnny) Vegas, baby!

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Ooh-yor-fightor, writes Gemma Collins, we've only gone and got Johnny Vegas on the phone. It's been a ridiculously long 18 years since we last spoke to the potty-mouthed, outrageous and aggressive comic. (Not for the want of trying, we hasten to add).

That's almost two whole decades since he won the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year competition and uttered a few choice words down the phone, before hanging up, never to talk to us again.

Until now. Johnny, remember us?

The thing is, he does. And another thing; he's not quite the man we remember.

Meet the thoroughly refined, really rather polite Michael Pennington.

"I did a very hung-over interview back then with someone from your paper and I must apologise," he says. "They wanted me to get excited and I just said, 'the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year is really good – and now I've got to go'..."

Mr Vegas hadn't performed a lot of comedy outside of Manchester when he rocked up in Leicester, all guns blazing.

"I remember it pretty clearly," he says. "It was a strict competition of 10-minute slots and there was this Liverpudlian impressionist on before me who totally ran over. That was my way in – to annihilate him.

"I've still got the pictures. It was the only time in my life I'd received a giant cheque."

Funnily enough, he was competing against Darrell Martin – the founder and promoter of Just The Tonic, bringing Johnny to Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival, next week.

"I think he'd seen us perform before, because he said he knew I was going to win."

Johnny was just starting out then. The year before, in 1996, he was Best Breakthrough Act runner-up at the North West Comedy Awards.

"It's a double-edged sword with competitions," he says. "I kind of struggle with comics being pitted against one another, but when you're up-and-coming, you need something to get your foot in the door and the Leicester title – that was great."

So, it was something you mentioned, then?

"Well, I wouldn't open a gig with it," he says, "but yeah, I did put it on my CV and tell promoters – especially in London. I really struggled to get gigs in the beginning.

"I wasn't very good," he says.

"It's kind of a vicious cycle. They won't book you unless they've seen you, and they don't see you unless they've booked you.

"It was a gamble. They were used to a certain kind of stand-up in London and Johnny didn't play by those rules. He was a hard one to push, someone so angry who does a bit of pottery on the side."

By his own admission, Johnny – or should we say, Michael – is trying to move away from that persona. "It was a big thing, writing my book and exploring the origins of Johnny Vegas – a genuine alter ego – as opposed to putting on gear and being a comic actor. Johnny had gone as far as he could.

"It's kind of how I feel now, now I'm more settled with family life.

"Why put yourself back into that arena?

"I'll be honest – and this is the only time I've ever been able to say this – I'm doing stand-up now because I'm enjoying it. It didn't haunt my every working moment that I wasn't live on stage.

"I'm just loving taking those baby steps as Michael.

"It's not been the same tortured process it was in the past. I've been able to eat before gigs, for a start," he says.

"It's trying to go out and do what I do as Michael. Sure, Johnny is always lurking, desperate to get on stage. It's just, I've got back to writing and constructing, rather than jazzing it, like he did."

As we talk, Johnny's currently writing his sold-out one-man show for Leicester.

"I've started it," he says, unconvincingly. "I have.

"It was Darrell who coerced me into the booking.

"I've just been doing the odd 10-minute spot, so something bigger, well – it's advertised as a work in progress. I'm not bringing a show hot from the Edinburgh festival, but I don't want to be lazy and use that as a disclaimer."

It's strange to hear such a seasoned comedian talk this way and yet, he's happy to admit this feels like a new experience for him.

"I have to say, I came to Leicester last year with some of the Ideal show cast and it was refreshing. It felt like a comedy crowd – and I'm not just saying that.

"A lot of people have come through Leicester's festival and it's always nice to go back to places that have been there for you."

Johnny is the first to point out, the comedy he's doing on television now is far removed from the things he did early on in his career.

Take Benidorm, for instance, and his much- welcomed return as Geoff Maltby, aka The Oracle. Not to mention, Still Open All Hours.

"That couldn't be more rooted in classic, family entertainment. I grew up watching Open All Hours with my family," he says.

"That's as mainstream as it gets for me and I've always veered away from that.

"It was probably my art school background and a need to push and explore creative avenues. But I don't mind now.

"It's nice to do stuff my family can watch. My mum doesn't have to go into hiding afterwards," he says.

"I'm sure there are up-and-coming comics who would baulk at the notion of doing these programmes. I was that comedian, once. I've grown up a bit. I direct and write now, too.

"I'm very lucky I've been able to try all these things.

"It really feels like life's coming together."

Johnny married Irish broadcaster Maia Dunphy in 2011, and announced only last week on Twitter they're expecting their first child.

"We haven't done any press about the baby and we're not going to," he says.

"Of course, we're thrilled to bits, but I'm not one who tries to promote themselves with what's going on in their personal life."

He'd rather promote his comedy – and that extra show Darrell's persuaded him to compere on Valentine's night.

"I've stopped picking up the phone to him. You don't know what he's going to ask next," he chuckles.

"But seriously; I'm looking forward to Leicester. I'm also looking at a blank screen – so I better get writing!"

Johnny Vegas plays Just The Tonic @ Hansom Hall on February 14, at 6.30pm. The gig is sold out, unsurprisingly.

You can still catch him compering the Valentine Special, with a line-up including Sofie Hagen, David Trent and Keith Carter at 9pm.

www.justthetonic.com

www.comedy-festival.co.uk

(Johnny) Vegas, baby!


Words of Wisdom: The tribute to British comedy's most successful failure

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In a sun-starved corridor at De Montfort Hall, a huddle of men armed with drills are putting the final touches to a heartfelt tribute to one of the best-loved comedians in the history of British film, writes Jeremy Clay.

"I'm looking for Nick Wisdom," I say, hesitantly addressing all three. "Is he around?"

With the slightly bemused look of a man compelled to indulge a passing moron, one bloke nods his head in the general direction of another, a chap I hadn't spotted.

Ah.

Yes, that'll be him. The one with such an uncanny resemblance to his famous dad it's hard to hold in a surprised "ha!" of delight.

For a couple of days now, Norman Wisdom's son has been toiling away here, mounting the display of keepsakes which tell the story of his father's lifetime in film and on stage.

One by one, scores of framed mementos have been fixed to the walls: milestones in a career spent tickling the funnybone of an adoring public. By the time you read this they'll have lit it properly too, but here, in this currently gloomy corner of the De Mont, the exhibition is a shaft of pure sunshine.

Norman Wisdom, the hapless but relentlessly cheerful star of a slew of hit Britflicks including The Bulldog Breed and A Stitch in Time, died in 2010.

Like all grieving families, his relatives were left with the bittersweet task of going through his effects. Unlike all grieving families, the things they found chronicled a golden age of British comedy.

"I was aware there was a lot of material around," says Nick, breaking away from his DIY duties. "But it turned out there was boxes and boxes of stuff.

"There was a filing cabinet I used to go and have a sift through. You never knew what you were going to find next.

"There was a script from 1944 sandwiched between two bills."

At first, these souvenirs of the stage and silver screen went on display in Nick's hometown of Haywards Heath.

Then he got talking to Norman's old agent, who mentioned that Leicester Mercury readers had voted the man Charlie Chaplin once called his favourite clown as a Legend of Comedy.

Not just that but he was also the first patron of the Leicester Comedy Festival. Not just that but the festival began on the date that would have been his 100th birthday.

Cue lightbulb. It seemed like the perfect fit. "Leicester's the hub of the Midlands," Nick says. "It's a draw."

So the whole shebang, plus extra pieces which couldn't fit in before, made the journey north: Stills, bills and memorabilia, old scripts and music scores; it's an exhibition which doubles up as cinematic treasure trove.

There's Norman's signature too-tight suit, complete with threadbare tweed cap. There's the engraved cutlery he got as gifts from the director of his first six films, and the silver salver presented to Norman after his record-breaking run at the Prince of Wales theatre in London.

There are tickets, records, posters and props, including a false hand that once drew helpless gales of laughter from giddy audiences. There are promotional shots of Norman goofing around in a boxing ring or acting the ape in an orangutan's cage in London Zoo. Actually in the cage, that is. They wouldn't allow that now, muses Nick, as we take a tour. Perhaps they shouldn't have allowed it then. "It mauled a keeper the next day," he says.

There's also a signed photo from Laurel and Hardy, wishing a long fruitful life in showbusiness to the man who'd billed himself as The Successful Failure.

"You deserve it sincerely," they've written.

And so he did. Norman was a born entertainer who inherited his comic gift from his mother. "It was in his genes," says Nick. "She was an amazing woman and I saw a lot of him in her. She was just funny.

"He had very good timing. And his was a very visual act. On stage, he cavorted around for an hour-and-a-half. Not standing in front of a mic telling jokes, but singing and dancing."

Nick was born in 1953, the year Norman picked up a Bafta for his masterclass in slapstick, Trouble in Store. "If you don't laugh at Norman's antics," said the review in the Daily Mirror, "there is something wrong with your sense of fun."

Six years later, with Wisdom now a box-office banker, Nick joined his dad on set in the 1959 film Follow The Star.

"I had to play the piano in a scene," he says. "I was very nervous. There's a lot of waiting around on a set, and you could feel the pressure building. When they said 'action' you think 'my God'. When we were done, I went woooosh, out the door. You couldn't see me for dust."

But growing up with such a celebrated dad wasn't without its drawbacks. "He was absolutely huge in the 1950s," says Nick. "We wouldn't see too much of him back then. He'd be shooting a film during the day, leaving for Pinewood at 7am, doing two shows in the West End, and getting home at 1am. Then he'd be up again the next day doing it again.

"If we went out as a family, he'd be clocked very quickly. He was a hunted man."

Late in his life, that blurred boundary between the public and the private worlds of Norman Wisdom was crossed once more.

In 2007, as the elderly Norman succumbed to dementia, the family took the decision to put him into care.

"When you put someone into a home – as millions do – you don't just do it," says Nick. "We sought out advice from top people.

"But he was one of the last of his era. People felt like they owned him. There was a big hoo-ha. It was totally unjustified."

There was a clamour too by those who were eager to visit him. It couldn't be a free-for-all, Nick explains.

"It got sensationalised in the newspapers," he says, still bruised by the experience. "There was a lot of lies. I was phoned by the Daily Mail, who said they were running the story. I said 'there is no story'.

"It's not very nice when you go to the garage on Sunday morning and there you are on the front of the paper.

"But I'll take the end," he reasons, "for all I had before."

Let's get back to the exhibition. It's a real labour of love. "Sometimes, when I've shown people round," says Nick, "I get to certain pieces, and tell a story and I'd feel my throat tightening.

"It does get to you. It's emotional."

And what would his dad make of it? "He'd love it. It would be a real trip down memory lane for him."

A Tribute to Sir Norman Wisdom OBE is now on show at the De Montfort Hall and runs through the festival. Festival director Geoff Rowe will be interviewing Nick at De Montfort Hall at 2pm on Sunday, February 15, followed by a screening of Norman Wisdom's first colour film, The Early Bird.

Words of Wisdom: The tribute to British comedy’s most successful failure

Health chiefs in operations probe

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Two investigations are being carried out by health managers after concerns about two operations.

One involved a wrongly fitted ball joint during a hip replacement operation at Leicester General Hospital.

The second involved a decision by a surgeon to operate on a different toe to the one the patient was expecting.

Both have been reported as "never events" which the Department of Health describes as a "serious, largely preventable patient safety incident that should not occur if the available preventative measures have been implemented."

One of the incidents happened at Leicester General Hospital in December after it was discovered that the wrong size femoral head or ball joint had been fitted in a patient who had undergone hip replacement surgery.

Dr Kevin Harris, medical director at Leicester's hospitals, said: "This patient had had a hip replacement and needed to have one of the joints replaced."

The ball part was replaced but the patient had further problems and had to have a third operation.

Dr Harris said: "It was then that it was noticed that there was a mismatch between the ball and the socket."

A 32mm prosthesis had been put in a 28mm cup, or socket.

Dr Harris said: "The most common size is the 32mm size and it had been 'assumed' that the head removed was a 32mm diameter.

"Clearly, it is possible that some of the problems the patient had might be related to this (the mismatch) which is why it needs to be investigated."

The second incident, also in December, happened at Melton Hospital where a woman was due to have the third toe on her right foot straightened.

The toe was marked with an arrow but when the podiatric - foot - surgeon looked at the MRI images he considered the second toe needed surgery and proceeded to operate.

Moira Durbridge, director of safety and risk at Leicester's hospitals, said: "This was a deliberate decision by the surgeon as he felt the second toe was more in need of surgery."

The patient has since had surgery on the third toe and said to be pleased with the outcome.

Ms Durbridge added: "We would rather err on the side of caution and carry out an investigation to see if there is any learning from an incident."

Health chiefs in operations probe

One Last Chance For Leicestershire Teenagers To Sign Up For NCS Spring Programme

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With just one week to go before the start of the National Citizen Service's (NCS) Spring 2015 programme, organisers are encouraging teenagers from across Leicestershire to avoid disappointment and register their interest.

NCS, the country's flagship youth initiative, gives 15 – 17 year olds the opportunity to build confidence and develop key skills that will benefit them for work and life by experiencing exciting activities, meeting new people and giving back to their local communities. 

Phil Everett, Communications Manager for NCS EM1, said: "With the programme starting on 13th February, it's not long until the start of Spring NCS 2015 – but, there's still time for Leicestershire teenagers to sign up and make the most of their February half term. 

"Our spring programme is the perfect opportunity for young people to get involved, take on new challenges and develop skills that will significantly enhance their CVs and university applications, all the while having fun and making new friends!"

Partnered with Leicester Tigers and LEBC, the programme costs just £35 to join and includes a four-day stay at an outdoor adventure centre with activities such as rock-climbing and archery, three days working with businesses to improve employability skills and a social action project that allows participants an opportunity to volunteer in their community. 

Food, transport and three nights of accommodation are included in the programme cost.

For more information or to sign up, visit www.ncsem1.org.uk, www.facebook.com/NCSEM1 or email ncs@eblo.org.uk

One Last Chance For Leicestershire Teenagers To Sign Up For NCS Spring Programme

Married couple sentenced for fraudulently trying to buy council house

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A married couple who fraudulently tried to buy their mother's former council house were caught out when she died and her true address was revealed on her death certificate.

John Hay (64) and Maxine Hay (55) stood to save £54,600 on the price of the property in The Portwey, Humberstone, Leicester under the city council's Right to Buy scheme.

But their deception was uncovered when the death certificate gave the true address of the couple's mother and revealed the application was bogus, Leicester Magistrates were told.

They were both given eight weeks in prison suspended for 12 months after pleaded guilty to committing fraud by false representation at an earlier hearing.

They were also each ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work in the community and fined £450 each and ordered to pay £80 victim surcharge.

The couple, now of Pine Tree Avenue, Humberstone, Leicester, had claimed his mother Alice Hay, who was the official tenant, was still living in the property when they applied to buy the house 2013.

But in fact she had left the family home in 1994 after getting married and moving in with her husband in Keyham Close in Humberstone.

John and Maxine Hay continued to live in The Portwey and the city council was not notified of the change.

Andrew Bloc, defending on behalf of the couple, said Alice did not want to give up her tenancy in The Portwey in case anything happened to her marriage.

The couple and their mother completed an application for the Right to Buy scheme, in 2013 where council tenants can buy their home at a 60 per cent discount.

But in February 2014, during the application process, Alice Hay died. Her son then took the death certificate to Leicester Town Hall with Mrs Hay's correct Keyham Close address on it.

After receiving this certificate, the council then carried out an investigation and the married couple were subsequently evicted.

Mr Bloc said: "They are both of good character.

He said they helped the community through their working lives .

He added: "It is highly unlikely that these two people will trouble court again."

Hannah Price, prosecuting for Leicester City Council, said: "Alice Hay had signed the contract on May 11, 1981 saying she would abide by the conditions of tenancy.

"In 1994 she moved to Keyham Close and never intended to return."

Ms Price said with the 60 per cent discount the Right to Buy scheme would have saved them £54,600 on their house.

Beverlie Cemmell, the chairwoman for the magistrates, said: "We have found mitigation on your behalf, you have shown remorse and have co-operated with the investigation."

Married couple sentenced for fraudulently trying to buy council house

Local MP Backs National Citizen Service Following the Unveiling of Nationwide Advert Campaign

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A Leicestershire MP has voiced her ongoing support of a national voluntary programme that saw over 1,700 local young people spend 51,000 of hours volunteering in their communities throughout 2013 and 2014.

Following the unveiling of a nationwide ad campaign promoting National Citizen Service (NCS), the country's flagship youth programme, Leicestershire West MP Liz Kendall is urging more parents throughout the county to learn more about NCS and encourage their 15-17 year-olds to take part. 

NCS is a once–in-a-lifetime opportunity for 15-17 year olds across England. The unique two to three week programme, which takes place outside of term time, helps young people build skills for work and life, by taking part in new challenges, making new friends from different backgrounds, spending time with local businesses and contributing to their community by designing and implementing a social action project in the local community.

Speaking about the programme, MP Kendall said: "NCS is such a fantastic and rewarding scheme that truly prepares our county's teenagers for the future, giving them with the confidence, skills and experience that will readily equip them for life and help them achieve their chosen career paths.

"The teenagers of today are the future of our county, so it's vitally important that they begin preparing for their future now – and schemes like NCS are an ideal way to do it." 

NCS's new series of nationwide adverts, titled 'Our Future', features two Leicestershireyoung people, along with 20 other young people from across the country.

Shot by the world-famous photographer, Rankin, the campaign represents a positive portrayal of teenagers and emphasises that they are our next generation, but need the tools and opportunities that NCS can provide to help them in the future.  

Phil Everett, Communications Manager for NCS EM1, said: "The idea behind NCS is to encourage young people to step out of their comfort zone by spending part of their school holidays meeting and interacting with new people from all sorts of walks of life, while also building key life skills, like teamwork and communication.

"Our hope for the ad campaign is that it will make more parents and guardians aware of NCS and all the benefits it offers teenagers, in turn, boosting the number of young people taking part in this summer's programme."

Starting on 6th July, with start dates throughout the summer and costing just £35, the programme includes a weeklong stay at Beaudesert Activity Centre to develop team-building skills, a one-week residential to work with local businesses to improve employability skills, and a social action project to volunteer and fundraise for organisations in their local community. Food and two weeks of accommodation are included in the cost.

Phil Everett continued, "Even though it's still months away, spaces for our summer programme are filling up quickly. Any parent interested in learning more and getting their son or daughter involved just needs to visit www.ncsem1.org.uk to get their teenage child started on the journey of a lifetime."

NCS is a government-backed initiative that gives 15-17 year olds the opportunity to build valuable life skills and meet new people by taking on new challenges, experience exciting activities and contributing to their local communities.  

For more information or to sign up, visit www.ncsem1.org.uk, www.facebook.com/NCSEM1 or email ncs@eblo.org.uk

Local MP Backs National Citizen Service Following the Unveiling of Nationwide Advert Campaign

Miss Leicestershire column: Holly Desai talks fitness and aerial acrobatics

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In her regular column, Miss Leicestershire Holly Desai talks about 

These days, fitness does not have to mean slogging it out on the treadmill for hours on end.

Anyone who knows me knows I am a bit of a fitness freak, but some days even I get bored with my usual routine.

At the moment, I am in the middle of completing a home workout programme called Insanity Max:30, a follow on from the extremely popular Insanity workout, which I was a big fan of.

I even went to meet the creator and star, Shaun T, earlier in the year in Manchester and had the opportunity to work out with him, which was an amazing experience.

Last year, in preparation for the Miss England talent round, I decided I wanted to learn a new skill. That's when I came across Flight Fitness, in Leicester.

Established by Lauren Red, an award-winning performer, it's a great place to go for tuition in the aerial arts, pole fitness and circus skills all under one roof.

Aerial hoop really stood out to me as something a bit different. It is a circular steel apparatus rigged from the ceiling, on which you can execute tricks, spins and swings. In a nutshell, it is aerial acrobatics.

I'm not going to lie, the first lesson was tough and I was surprised at how many bruises I managed to accumulate on the back of my legs! (Typical for beginners, due to the pressure from the hoop).

But I loved the challenge and Lauren has such a vibrant personality, which really motivated me to give it my all.

There is a huge strength element to it, as there are many times when you are supporting your own body weight, so I have no doubt that all of the crazy Insanity workouts gave me an advantage on the hoop.

Every single muscle has to work to stabilise your body in rather unnatural positions and each session is certainly a full body workout. It really works the upper body and core in a way that is unique to suspension training.

When my routine finally came together I felt really proud to accomplish something that was very much out of my comfort zone.

I have recently started my lessons again, in the hope of performing in the Flight Fitness annual showcase this November.

This was Lauren's suggestion as we both agreed that having a target to work towards really helped me to progress faster.

It seems very daunting at the moment but I am hoping to conquer the hoop by the end of the year!

Miss Leicestershire column: Holly Desai talks fitness and aerial acrobatics

Arsenal v Leicester City - Premier League LIVE!

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Leicester City travel to the Emirates Stadium for the very first time tomorrow to face Arsenal in their desperate battle for Premier League survival. Nigel Pearson's men suffered a hugely deflating 1-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday but have no time to lick their wounds as they go again tomorrow night. Arsenal suffered defeat in the North London derby on Saturday but have been in imperious form at the Emirates, winning their last seven in all competitions. If you can't get to the match, we will be covering the game live with text commentary from the Emirates. Sports reporter James Sharpe will be providing details of the action and analysis of the game. You can put your questions, views and comments to James during the game using the interactive link on the match commentary or you can tweet him @TheSharpeEnd. The action will start at 7.30pm tomorrow with the announcement of the teams and the pre-match build-up.
Live Blog Arsenal v Leicester City - Premier League LIVE!
 

Arsenal v Leicester City - Premier League LIVE!


Opinion: Leicester City, their manager, and a very surreal Sunday

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Not a lot of the events of last night surrounding the future of Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson seemed to make any sense.

It all started with reports Pearson had been sacked after Saturday's defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace, which left City rooted to the foot of the Premier League.

There then followed a bizarre few hours as the rumours grew until City eventually released a statement denying Pearson had been relieved of his duties and stating he would be in charge for today's trip to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

It does not seem quite as clear-cut as to brand the whole evening as scurrilous reporting, especially considering it was pretty much the entire national media who were reporting the news as fact. That is too simplistic.

Something very strange did go on during those few hours behind the scenes at King Power Stadium.

But what was even more bizarre than the media claims and counter-claims was the fact City would consider sacking Pearson now, at this point in the season.

When City were in the midst of a 13-game run without a win before Christmas, the speculation was rife.

But sources at the club maintained Pearson still held the full backing of the board, so why would they reportedly consider making a change with just 14 games to go?

There had been a recent upturn in results in both the league and the FA Cup, and that seemed to ease any external pressure on Pearson, although the defeat on Saturday to Palace was a major setback as City face a daunting run of away games.

But they are still only four points from safety and in with a fighting chance.

The fans had not turned on the manager either. In general, the City supporters were still right behind Pearson and repeatedly sang his name during games over the past few weeks.

In fact, a poll ran by Sky Sports indicated 70 per cent of City fans who responded through social media were against his reported sacking.

Then there is the fact Pearson has just been handed a substantial amount of money, £7million, to sign Andrej Kramaric.

With the transfer window now closed, any new manager would not be able to recruit until the summer, while Kramaric has not been given time to get adjusted to the extreme demands of the Premier League.

And who would City get in at such short notice that could make a big difference?

Any new manager would face the unenviable task of trying to squeeze even more out of a squad of players recruited and built by Pearson and fiercely loyal to him.

While City may be lacking the Premier League quality to convert their performances into victory, there has been no suggestion the players have not been giving everything to the cause, so how could a new boss get any more out of them?

The timing was also odd. City's success during the past couple of years has been built on stability. A managerial change would destabilise the club at a crucial time.

Whatever did happen on Sunday night, and that remains unclear, the outcome has been the right one.

Opinion: Leicester City, their manager, and a very surreal Sunday

Nigel Pearson says he has a very good relationship with Leicester City owners

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson said he retains a very good relationship with the club's owners, despite the speculation over his position.

Pearson faced the media today after reports emerged on Sunday night that he had been sacked.

The club issued a statement at 10pm last night denying those reports, and Pearson refused to go into detail over yesterday's events.

Speculation emerged that some of his staff had been told a change was being made, but City's hierarchy decided to stick with Pearson after talks.

Pearson admitted he has had conversations about his position.

"The club has made a statement and I am not going to speak about it," he said.

"We have a game tomorrow (at Arsenal). It is important that my focus and the focus of the players is very much on what we can do tomorrow night, rather than on talk about something I am not really prepared to talk about.

"The players have trained this morning and we are looking forward to Arsenal."

When asked if he had been given assurances over his position he replied: "Yes, I have had conversations.

"I don't think I have ever been in a position where I speak too openly about what goes on in the internal workings.

"I have always had a very good working relationship with the owners and I am sure I will moving forward.

"You are never going to have a situation at any club where things are entirely going the way you want all the time. We are currently bottom of the league and there is speculation.

"Sometimes stories like this break. For me I have to continue to lead the players and I think anything that could be counter-productive to us getting our preparation right is going to detract from what we are trying to do.

"In an ideal world I would rather the story wasn't out there, but it is and I have to deal with it."

Nigel Pearson says he has a very good relationship with Leicester City owners

Leicester City team news: Robert Huth in contention to make debut against Arsenal

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Robert Huth could be handed his Leicester City debut tomorrow night at the Emirates Stadium.

The 30-year-old central defender is free from suspension following his loan switch on deadline day from Stoke and manager Nigel Pearson admits he is in his thoughts.

City have no fresh injury concerns after Saturday's home defeat to Crystal Palace, but Pearson is expected to freshen up his side to face the Gunners.

"Huth is in the squad, without doubt," said Pearson, who has had to prepare his team with the scrutiny of the national media following the speculation yesterday that he had been sacked.

"We don't have any fresh injuries from weekend.

"Preparation has been slightly different with a camera crew outside the gates, as you would expect.

"But the players have been great. They are looking forward to the game. We put Saturday out of our minds and move on."

Pearson said his side were not daunted by the prospect of facing Arsenal at the Emirates but has told his players to embrace it.

"Games like Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City in some ways are bonus games for sides like ourselves, we have to get our performance such that we have chances of getting something from these games," he said,

"The spirit in the dressing room remains very good. I have to give the players an awful lot of credit for how they continue to perform in a positive way, bearing in mind the situation we have been in for a while now.

"It is about us trying to replicate those types of performances but get the end product to be more positive.

"It becomes slightly irritating when you get your peers saying how well we play but we continue not to get those elusive wins.

"We know looking at Saturday's game there were lots of positives from that performances. Unfortunately there weren't any points.

"When you don't pick points up then any speculation that is out there is intensified.

"They are a good team. It is a super stadium and we are looking forward to going there, but we need to get some points."

City will again be without goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and striker Chris Wood through injury.

Influential forward Alexis Sanchez is back for the Gunners, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is still out with a groin problem and Jack Wilshere was set to join full training following recovery from ankle surgery.

Leicester City team news: Robert Huth in contention to make debut against Arsenal

Fire at building in Bassett Street, South Wigston, started by workmen

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Firefighters have been tacking a blaze at a building in South Wigston after workmen accidentally started a fire.

Crews were called to Bassett Street at about 3.30pm today after reports of a roof fire at a commercial premises.

Police closed the road while the fire was extinguished.

The blaze was out by about 4.30pm, but checks were made to ensure that there were no embers which could re-ignite.

Half of the roof had to be taken off due to damage and was covered with sheeting to protect the inside of the building from the elements.

Office equipment was also moved to a safe place.

A spokeswoman for the fire service said the fire was started by workmen and was accidental.

Crews had left the scene by 8.30pm.

No one was injured during the incident.

Fire at building in Bassett Street, South Wigston, started by workmen

Taxing times - Nigel Pearson takes a jibe at Match of the Day's Gary Lineker

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Nigel Pearson went for the jugular today when he took a swipe at Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, making reference to recent stories regarding the pundit and an alleged tax scandal.

The Leicester City manager faced a packed press conference at the King Power Stadium and parried most questions about a tussle with Crystal Palace's James McArthur – and reports he had been sacked at the weekend.

He claimed that Match of the Day's three "fountains of knowledge" – Lineker, Danny Murphy and Jermaine Jenas – were responsible for fuelling criticism about his conduct during Saturday's game against Palace.

The City boss was shown grappling with McArthur on the touchline after the Palace star accidentally clattered into him, with the City boss appearing to pin him down.

Pearson said the two had cleared the air and blamed Match of the Day pundits for blowing it out of proportion.

It follows another controversial incident in December, where a YouTube video appeared to show Pearson yelling abuse at a City fan at the King Power Stadium.

Pearson said his spat with Palace player James McArthur was "lighthearted"

Speaking at the press conference, Pearson said: "It's not helpful when the three fountains of knowledge on Match of the Day make a mountain out of a molehill.

"The lad (McArthur) is okay, it was very lighthearted.

"How it was reported yesterday was very inaccurate – our owners are fine, as they were with the incident with the fan, so you're looking for news that's not there."

He then had a dig at Lineker and Murphy for criticising him.

"They were slightly disruptive," he said. "But I don't care – I pay my taxes."

The reference is to recent stories in the press about Lineker and Murphy, as well as fellow pundits Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Savage and Martin Keown and their involvement in tax avoidance schemes.

The slanging match then continued when Lineker responded to the City manager's remarks.

He tweeted: "Ah, Nigel Pearson is blaming MOTD for making a mountain out of a molehill. We'd best be careful in future, the fella can look after himself."

This referred to Pearson's post-match interview with the BBC, when the McArthur incident was first raised.

Lineker added that if he was a "fountain of knowledge", as Pearson alleged, he would reveal that Pearson was sacked by one member of the Srivaddhanaprabha family (which owns Leicester City), only to be reinstated by another.

This is something which the club has been at pains to deny.

In its statement on Sunday, it said: "Contrary to media speculation, Nigel remains the club's first team manager.

"Reports to the contrary are inaccurate and without foundation."

But today's press conference focussed almost entirely on the reports of the sacking, with only passing references to tomorrow night's game against Arsenal.

Reporters wanted to know why the club took four hours to issue a statement refuting the sacking on Sunday.

But the City boss gave nothing away.

"I understand the interest in you wanting to ask questions," Pearson said. "But I have loyalties to my staff and to my players which is more important to me than trying to clarify things for a story which was based on speculation."

Even self-confessed City fan Lineker (again!) had taken to Twitter (again!) and criticised the club for its tardy reaction.

Pearson was also asked questions about his relationship with the owners and how the players took the news of the sacking.

But again he did not give much away.

He said: "The club have made a statement and I'm happy to prepare for the next game against Arsenal.

"I'm not a believer in sharing confidential information."

The only thing he did elaborate on was how he spent his Sunday.

"There was a Canadian folk band at the local pub," he said. "They weren't very good."

Taxing times - Nigel Pearson takes a jibe at Match of the Day's Gary Lineker

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson insists incident with James McArthur was blown out of proportion

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Nigel Pearson said Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur has been blown out of all proportion.

Pearson was involved in an incident towards the end of Saturday's home defeat to Crystal Palace when, after McArthur tumbled into him on the edge of the pitch, the City boss appeared to hold on to the midfielder as he tried to return to the pitch.

Pearson has been repeatedly questioned about the nature of the incident and he faced questions again yesterday, but he said it was not a heated clash as has been portrayed in some quarters.

It was even reported that the incident prompted the speculation over Pearson's position.

"It is not helpful when the three fountains of knowledge on Match of the Day make a mountain out of a molehill," said Pearson.

"There was nothing in that on Saturday. The lad is okay. It is very light-hearted.

"How it was reported was totally inaccurate. Our owners are fine, as they were with the incident with the fan against Liverpool in December.

"It was all very light-hearted. If you look at the pictures there were smiles on faces.

"These things happen. I have had both my knees replaced and I did take quite a nasty tumble. We are fine."

Pearson's verbal clash with a City fan during the home defeat to Liverpool earlier this season led to a touchline ban and a £10,000 fine, and he admits he would handle that incident differently.

However, he also said he would not change and any mistakes he makes he does so honestly.

"People criticise me for being not animated enough, sitting in the stand, not showing any passion," he said.

"I come down and get involved in a couple of situations and all of a sudden there is a different angle.

"But I am a human being and I am going to make mistakes from time to time.

"What I will say is that any mistakes I make are very honest ones. I don't have any regrets about it.

"The first one, yes, I would probably choose not to handle it in exactly the same way, but there is no apology."

Pearson takes his side to face Arsene Wenger's Arsenal tomorrow night, another manager who has had his controversial moments on the touchline.

Pearson accepts it is part-and-parcel of being a Premier League manager.

"There is more interest and scrutiny in the Premier League," he said. "You have to accept that some of the smaller happenings from time to time are going to have more legs as stories. It has created a bit of interest.

"I have to accept the scrutiny because I don't have any choice. Whether I welcome it or agree with it, or find it intrusive, is irrelevant.

"I am in a job where you are going to be scrutinised. When it comes your way I might not like it and I may not always deal with it in a way I would choose.

"I am myself. I don't pretend to be anyone else."

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson insists incident with James McArthur was blown out of proportion

Nigel Pearson: 'I will be Leicester City manager at end of the season'

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Nigel Pearson said he expects to still be Leicester City manager at the end of the season.

Reports were rife on Sunday night Pearson had been sacked by City.

But several hours later, the club issued a statement stating he was very much still in control of team affairs.

The Mercury understands that initially it did look bleak for Pearson and his staff, but it was decided after extensive talks at the top level between the club's hierarchy a change would not be helpful to City's chances of Premier League survival.

Pearson refused to go into detail yesterday about the events of Sunday night, but said he had retained a very strong relationship with the club's owners and was plotting City's clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium tonight (7.45pm).

When asked if he was confident he would still be in charge for the rest of the season, Pearson said: "Of course I am, yes.

"I like the people I work with. They are loyal and I like to show them loyalty back. That is really what it is about.

"The club has made a statement. The discussions I have will remain in-house. I am not a believer in sharing too much confidential information.

"People will have their views on the sequence of events but my view is as always I will continue to do my job and I am very happy to do my job.

"Everyone I work with would recognise my role at the club as being the leader and that is how I intend to continue.

"I am very happy to shoulder the responsibility for my football team."

Pearson was asked if he had been given any assurances from the club's owners about his position.

"Yes, I have had conversations," he said. "Any assurances I have, what goes on behind closed doors, will stay there.

"The people I work for are not people who seek public attention and I am very conscious of that.

"I have a very good working and personal relationship with them. We will keep it at that.

"The club has made the statement now and I am happy to prepare my side for Arsenal. I don't think 

Nigel Pearson: 'I will be Leicester City manager at end of the season'


New Walk Centre: Animated video shows how demolition will happen

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An video has been produced which shows an animated version of the demolition of New Walk Centre.

The YouTube clip, which has been uploaded by Leicester City Council,  is nearly three minutes longs and shows the buildings disappearing within seconds. It also provides a step-by-step run through of the stages that will be taken from start to finish.

The buildings, one with eight floors and they other with 13, have been declared structurally unsound and last year the city council announced they would be demolished through a so-called controlled initiated collapse using explosive charges.

The demolition has been scheduled to take place on the morning of Sunday February 22 with a provisional time of 10am.

New Walk Centre: Animated video shows how demolition will happen

NHS concern over health managers' bonuses

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A decision to pay bonuses to two top health managers has been called into question by NHS England officials.

Two clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have had one of their ratings downgraded as a result of the payments last autumn.

It follows the decision by Leicester City CCG to pay its managing director Simon Freeman a £5,200 bonus – four per cent of his £130,200 annual salary.

The city CCG has since scrapped performance related bonus payments to its managing director.

The West Leicestershire CCG awarded a five per cent bonus to its managing director Toby Sanders on top of his £125,000 to £130,000 salary.

After the payments were highlighted in the Leicester Mercury, David Sharp, director for NHS England in Leicestershire, wrote to the CCGs asking how the decisions had been made.

In a report to directors of the city CCG, chief corporate affairs officer Richard Morris said a letter from Mr Sharp "expressed concerns with regard to the standards of governance and level of due-diligence exercised by the CCG in respect of the matter".

It also said it was changing its "assured" rating to "assured with support" with regard to governance.

In his report, Mr Morris said the CCG had taken legal advice which showed it had "acted within its statutory powers".

Mr Morris said: "Notwithstanding this, it is clear NHS England holds a significant degree of concern in relation to the decision that was made by our governing body."

The CCG has asked to agree an action plan to restore its "fully assured" status.

NHS England also wrote to West Leicestershire CCG about its decision.

Professor Mayur Lakhani, chairman of the CCG, said: "NHS England queried the process the CCG used in reaching the decision to award a bonus to the accountable officer.

"West Leicestershire CCG provided reassurance that due process was followed and it complied with principles of the Hutton Fair Pay Review.

"NHS England has now indicated that it considers the matter to be closed and will reassess the status at the next quarterly review in March."

NHS concern over health managers' bonuses

Why mums-to-be should quit smoking

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One of the biggest things an expectant mum can do for her unborn baby is to give up smoking.

Many feel guilty they are still lighting up when they are pregnant not realising there is a team of specialist advisors on hand to help them stub out their cigarettes.

Emma Croghan is a public health nurse with the Stop smoking service.

She said: "It is really important for pregnant women to stop smoking.

"Some think rather than quit they will cut down but published evidence shows that those that do smoke harder and deeper and end up taking in the same or more chemicals.

"These chemicals cross the placenta instead of getting the best supply of oxygen to the baby."

Babies born to smokers tend to have a lower birth weight and yet by the time they start school research has shown that they are more likely to be overweight or obese by the time they start school.

Emma said: "We think this is due to changes as a result of the chemicals that are passed through to the baby before it is born.

"Some women say that having a small baby is a good thing as it will make delivery easier.

"It doesn't. Smoking in pregnancy can lead to complications, for example bleeding.

"New babies born to smokers also tend to cry more and smoking can increase health issues for them such as glue ear."

But help is at hand for any expectant mum and for women thinking of becoming pregnant and who want to stub out their cigarettes.

Emma said: "We would encourage anyone to come to us for help.

"We have done it lots of times and we will find a way through.

"This is not just for mums but also for dads, grandparents and anyone else in the home."

She added: "While a pregnant woman cannot have prescription medication to stop smoking there are other methods.

"Nicotine replacement therapies, apart from one flavour of gum, are perfectly safe and we can help.

"While a mother only decide to give up smoking while she is pregnant if she can give up for that length of time it will help make any future quit attempt more successful."

Why mums-to-be  should quit smoking

A 'breathalyser' to help detect lung cancer

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A "breathalyser"@ to detect the early stages of lung cancer is to be tested at Glenfield Hospital.

It is part of a £1 million clinical trial which could transform survival rates from cancer.

The LuCID (lung cancer indicator detection) project has been developed by Owlstone, a company founded by Billy Boyle whose wife Kate Gross died from colon cancer. A device, similar to a breathalyser, analyses the chemicals in a person's breath.

Dr Salman Siddiqui, an honorary respiratory consultant at Glenfield Hospital, said: "Patients breathe into a face mask.

"The machine detects chemicals in the breathe which could be an indication of lung cancer.

"If it turns green, it is clear. But if it turns red, then it could be an indication of lung cancer."

He added: "This would give us preliminary information and patients would then be followed up based on routine tests."

At the moment, a patient with suspected lung cancer is referred for x-rays by the GP.

But Dr Siddiqui, who is also a senior lecturer at the University of Leicester, said that x-rays do not always pick up lung cancer until it is quite developed and CT scans, as well as being expensive, sometimes pick up nodules which are not always cancer.

He added: "It is very exciting to be involved in this research.

"We will begin testing in about May or June to look at how the device works in hospital where patients are being evaluated.

"In the long term, it could be used for other cancers and perhaps even in GP ."

At the moment, it is the fourth most common cancer in Europe.

About one-third of patients diagnosed in the UK will survive more than one year with only about 10 per cent alive five years after diagnosis.

Dr Jonathan Bennett, a consultant respiratory physician at Leicester's hospitals and a lung cancer senior clinician, said: "This is why it is important to diagnose patients as early in their disease as possible.

"The early detection of lung cancer is likely to have one of the biggest impacts on cancer health care.

"If we can screen patients at high risk of lung cancer, we will be able to detect less advanced disease and fitter patients and so offer more treatments that have the potential to cure."

A 'breathalyser'  to help detect lung cancer

Wheelchair user humiliated on visit Leicester city pub as he had to relieve himself in an alley

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A couple said they were "humiliated" on a night out after discovering that the pub they were in did not have wheelchair access to a toilet.

Michael and Helen Pinney, from Western Park,  Leicester were enjoying an evening out at The Lamp Lighters in the city centre.

However when Mr Pinney needed the toilet the couple discovered they could not get the 54-year-old's wheel chair down stairs to the gents.

Mrs Pinney, 51, said: "My husband is registered as disabled.

"He had polio as a child and one leg is shorter than the other.

"He manages to get around although he has a limp and can't walk very far.

"But about two weeks ago he broke the ankle on his 'good' leg and at the moment has to use a wheelchair to get around as he cannot manage on crutches."

She added: "We go to the Lamp Lighters quite regularly.

"We got in fine with the wheelchair and sat in the corner.

"A lot of people came up to us and were chatting and bought us drinks.

"Then, my husband said he needed to use the toilet and we found there was no way of getting a wheelchair there."

Mrs Pinney said that were at a loss as to what to do and she ended up wheeling her husband to a nearby alleyway so he could relieve himself.

She said: "It was completely humiliating for both of us, but particularly for him.

"We tried to make it as discreet as possible but it was horrible having to do this.

"My husband is at a disadvantage anyway being disabled and having this happen made it even worse.

"Someone in the pub said there were plans to create disabled access to toilets but it isn't there at the moment.

"It is disgusting."

Mr Pinney added: "I found the whole experience humiliating."

The Leicester Mercury contacted the pub but no-one was willing to comment.

Steve Souter, an access auditor with the disability charity the Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living, said: "Under the Equality Act 2010 every organisation has a duty to make reasonable adjustments.

"If a disabled person feels discriminated against they can take action."

Wheelchair user humiliated on visit Leicester city pub as he had to relieve himself in an alley

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